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Algorithms to Live By – The Computer Science of Human Decisions

blog.galowicz.de

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Re: Algorithms to Live By – The Computer Science of Human Decisions

#3

Post by chasd00 »

oski wrote: post #2

I’m curious to know if anyone has “implemented” any of these approaches in their own life…

I read the book a while back and realized I do the caching one automatically. I have a pretty messy work bench where I build rockets and play around with microcontrollers. I purposely didn’t try to organize it because, over time, it organizes itself. All the stuff that has my attention gradually drifts to arms reach where the stuff I don’t currently need gradually drifts to the back of the workbench.

Edit: the stopping and explore/exploit chapters mirror my career too

Re: Algorithms to Live By – The Computer Science of Human Decisions

#4

Post by pewpewyouhit »

oski wrote: post #2

I’m curious to know if anyone has “implemented” any of these approaches in their own life…

I apply some things from the explore/exploit chapter when travelling. If for the first half of the trip I try as many places to eat as I can. For the second half I’m fine with revisiting the best ones.

Re: Algorithms to Live By – The Computer Science of Human Decisions

#5

Post by thenerdhead »

oski wrote: post #2

I’m curious to know if anyone has “implemented” any of these approaches in their own life…

I used the optimal stopping guidelines to help people I mentor stop applying for jobs and change their resumes/approach. It worked pretty well for them.

Re: Algorithms to Live By – The Computer Science of Human Decisions

#6

Post by Mezzie »

chasd00 wrote: post #3
oski wrote: post #2

I’m curious to know if anyone has “implemented” any of these approaches in their own life…

I read the book a while back and realized I do the caching one automatically. I have a pretty messy work bench where I build rockets and play around with microcontrollers. I purposely didn’t try to organize it because, over time, it organizes itself. All the stuff that has my attention gradually drifts to arms reach where the stuff I don’t currently need gradually drifts to the back of the workbench. Edit: the stoppi…

I do the same. My other rule is that wherever I look for it when I've lost it is where it belongs.

It causes a fair amount of friction with housemates, though. Have you figured out any way to alleviate that when it comes to areas used by multiple people?

Re: Algorithms to Live By – The Computer Science of Human Decisions

#7

Post by divan »

oski wrote: post #2

I’m curious to know if anyone has “implemented” any of these approaches in their own life…

I read the book around 3-4 years ago and regularly returning to the exploit vs explore and randomness concepts. 37% rule is something I regularly talk about as well, but mostly to help other people make sense of the dilemmas "should I continue looking or stop now" (like searching for a flat, for example).

Re: Algorithms to Live By – The Computer Science of Human Decisions

#9

Post by huijzer »

oski wrote: post #2

I’m curious to know if anyone has “implemented” any of these approaches in their own life…

I often make estimations based on the heuristic that if we don’t know much about how long something will remain, then we’re most likely half way currently. For example, McDonalds was founded 82 years ago and if we have to guess how long it will still exist then probably around 82 years (until 2104).

This also works great, for example, to answer whether you should make plans for Christmas 2023 with the girl you have been seeing for two months now: probably not yet.

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