JRB #3 — Algorithms to Live by: The Computer Science of Human Decisions by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths
In the third book review of JRB, I am going to review Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions. This book discusses the ways in which different computing methods can be used to help us in our everday lives. In many ways, it formalizes some of the think that our brain might do implicitly and draws similarities between our brain and the computer. This book will likely spark up a passion for computer science to someone whose is looking to get started, as the book is able to discuss in-depth computing topics in a way that is accessible to the everyday reader. We will get into the basics, 8-point scale, and then some big takeaways.
Link to order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Live-Computer-Science-Decisions-ebook/dp/B015CKNWJI
The Basics
Number of pages: 262
Time reading per page: 55 seconds
Implied amount of time to read the entire book: 4 hours
Number of Chapters: 11
Genre: Computer Science, Psychology
Audience: Anyone with little experience who wants to learn practical applications of computer science in everyday life
Very Short Summary
This book explores the applications of computing in optimal decision-making. When should I stop looking for a closer parking spot? When do I know the candidate that I just interviewed is the best in the potential pool? When do I know I have found the right house? What is the most efficient way to organize a tournament? These are all questions that are grappled with in the book, and suprisingly computers can give us relatively concrete answers on all of them. Using algorithms, the book is designed to show how computers can aid humans in optimal decision-making. I think one thing is probably for certain for readers of this book who don’t have a ton of knowledge about computers, and that is that you will leave this book with an increased appreciation for how computers can help you solve some difficult life problems.
The 8-Point Scale
- Readability (7/10)
Some terms are thrown around throughout the text that the everyday reader may not exactly understand, but the CS jargon is usually explained rather well and many visual aids are provided to enhance the reader’s experience.
2. Transparency (9/10)
Referenced above, there is a good amount of domain-specific language used throughout the book, however the authors make their points very clear for the reader. People unfamiliar with computers or programming will have an easy time adjusting to the book because there are many real-world examples shown that bring out the essence of the jargon. For example, how different time complexities in O(n) notation can be shown in the real world.
3. Applicability (7/10)
The ideas in this book are pretty easily applicable. However, it does sort of rely on remembering some specific concepts from the book that may seem rather confusing.
4. Excitement (9/10)
I would say this rating is rather subjective, and is probably the make or break for the book. Each page has some unique content, and lots of times made me realize how applicable computers are in the real world, but with this book in particular I can understand how someone may find the content rather boring. It is definitely not a thriller, but I believe you will better understand whether you like computer science/programming or not after you read this book.
5. Importance (4/10)
I felt like the applications, while clearly connected to the real world, were not really all that useful, knowing when to take the next parking spot available is something that might help me a little bit, but I do not tend to think it is that important in the grand scheme of things.
6. Accomplishment (10/10)
You will feel accomplished if you can read and understand the material in this book. You now have a firm introduction on some of the most important concepts in the world of computer science.
7. Integration (5/10)
It is hard to really integrate these changes in your day to day life without a calculator on hand, or carrying this book around with you wherever you go. If you take one or two Optimal Stopping or Sorting methods away from the book, it is very likely your efficiency at work or elsewhere can increase marginally. However, I find it unluckily that this book would have a huge impact on the way you go about normal everyday life.
8. Idea-Shaping (9/10)
The book really changed my ideas on the capabilities of a computer and really got me interested in learning more about programming. This book will obviously be very idea-shaping for the good portion of people who read it and decide to learn even more about technology and specifically computer science.
OVERALL RATING: 6.0/8.0
Big Takeaways
- Computers can make your life easier. You probably already know this, but this book brings home the idea in a way that could not be more obvious.
- A computer doesn’t have emotions, your brain does. For better or for worse givent the situation, a computer will not act on impulse the same way the brain will. A computer is perfectly rational in it’s decision-making.
- Not all algorithms are created equal. Some are better than others, meaning they run faster, and solve the problem at hand quicker. Big O notation is a cool takeaway from this book.
- A computer is only as good as what you tell it to do. Like #2, a computer cannot infer anything (for the most part). If you want to be a good programmer, you have to be able to make your instructions for the computer as explicit as possible.
Conclusion
Read this book before any other if you think you may be interested in computer science/programming. It is a wonderful and exciting way to dip your feet into the way to think algorithmically, which is essential in programming. Learning how to code is much easier once you actually understand how you should be thinking about the problem you are trying to solve. This book is probably as layman as an intro to computer science as you can possibly get. If you do not think you are interested in CS, you can still learn a thing or two about what computers can teach us about our lives with a quick read of this book. This book is not going to change your life, but it definitely has the capability to provide an introductory highlight reel of the things computers are capable of.
