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Published Aug 9, 2018

How to Give and Get Criticism Well & How to Use Computer Algorithms to Solve Your Problems

Discover how to effectively give and receive criticism for personal growth with insights from Deb Bright, and dive into the world of computer algorithms with Brian Christian to learn how they can optimize everyday decision-making.
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Episode Highlights

  • Real-World Use

    discusses how computer algorithms can aid in decision-making for everyday problems. He explains that many human decisions, such as choosing a place to live or deciding where to eat, correspond to fundamental problems in computer science. By understanding these algorithms, we can make more informed decisions in our daily lives 1.

    The message here is they're really not. In fact, they correspond rather precisely to some of the fundamental problems in computer science.

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    One example is the optimal stopping problem, where the 37% rule can help you find the best apartment within a given timeframe 2.

       

    Explore-Exploit

    Another interesting algorithm is the explore-exploit dilemma, which helps balance the decision between sticking with known options and trying new ones. This principle can be applied to various scenarios, such as choosing a restaurant or planning a vacation 3.

    The critical idea in an explore, exploit problem turns out to be how much time you have and where you perceive yourself to be in the course of time that you're trying to maximize over.

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    Understanding this balance can lead to better decision-making over time, maximizing both satisfaction and efficiency.

       

    Techniques

    also highlights techniques like the move-to-front strategy for organizing tasks and items. This method, where you place the most recently used item at the top, is optimal for minimizing search time 4.

    The strategy that works best, as it turns out, is something that's called move to front.

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    Such techniques can simplify complex problems and make everyday tasks more manageable.

       

    Randomness

    Embracing randomness is another key technique in decision-making. explains that randomness can be a critical component in solving complex problems, even though it seems counterintuitive 5.

    Sometimes using randomness is in fact a critical component of a strategy of trying to make a headway in a problem that's sufficiently complex.

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    This approach can lead to solutions that are correct most of the time, which is often sufficient for practical purposes.

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