Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions

Computers these days are pretty damned impressive. They can do mind-boggling calculations, process hundreds of thousands of requests at once, and outpace humans at seemingly every turn. And yet, they pale in comparison to the visual and deductive processing power of the human brain. But what if we take the comparison one step further, analyzing the brain as we would a computer? What insights could we draw on the subject of strong decision-making by treating our brains like top notch machines?

Plenty, as it turns out. Algorithms to Live By explores how concepts like programming and algorithms — so common in modern computers — apply to how we organize our thoughts and the items in our home, like clothes and books (sorting and caching), to how our memories work, and how we prioritize both inconsequential choices and life or death decisions. It’s a marvellously accessible way to look at the incredible complexity of the brain, taking ideas like buffering and optimization and applying them to everyday life. “We say ‘brain fart’ when we should rally say “cache miss.”Although it’s a dense read, it’s worthwhile, one that challenges you and expands your mind all at once.