How to Predict the Unpredictable: The Art of Outsmarting Almost Everyone

How to Predict the Unpredictable: The Art of Outsmarting Almost Everyone

by WilliamPoundstone (Author)

Synopsis

We are hard-wired to believe that the world is more predictable than it is. We chase `winning streaks' that are often just illusions, and we are all too predictable exactly when we try hardest not to be.

In the 1970s, Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky coined the phrase `representativeness' to describe the psychology of this behaviour. Since then representativeness has been used by auditors to catch people fiddling their tax returns and by hedge fund managers to reap billions from the emotions of small investors. Now Poundstone for the first time makes these techniques fun, easy, and profitable for everyone, in the everyday situations that matter. You'll learn how to tackle multiple choice tests, what internet passwords to avoid, how to up your odds of winning the office Premier League sweepstakes, and the best ways to invest your money.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Published: 04 Sep 2014

ISBN 10: 1780744072
ISBN 13: 9781780744070

Media Reviews
`Vivid [and] fascinating' * Guardian *
`[Poundstone's] underlying argument is both valid and vital. As he notes in his prologue, the most important outguessing machine is the one known as Big Data . Shannon's mind-reading technology has become unavoidable and ubiquitous' * New Scientist *
'Poundstone calls on a fascinating array of examples to demonstrate his point. But be warned: these insights may not help much longer now that Poundstone has blabbed them. So read it quick' (5/5 Stars) * BBC Focus *
'Poundstone is a smart thinker, a deft writer and a spinner of engaging tales... enjoyable and original' -- Tim Harford
`Highly entertaining... brilliant' * E&T magazine *
'Ingenious... a delightful addition to the everything-you-thought-you-knew-is-wrong genre.' * Kirkus Reviews *
'Intriguing and immensely useful.' * Publishers Weekly *
'Fascinating... it's all gold-dust... this could save you real money' * The Bookbag *
Author Bio
William Poundstone is the author of fourteen books, including the international bestseller Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? He lives in Los Angeles.