How to Predict the Unpredictable
The Art of Outsmarting Almost Everybody
Will be published approx. on 4. September 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-78074-407-0 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
'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 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 225 mm
Width: 146 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
240 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78074-407-0 (9781780744070)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2014
1st Edition
Oneworld Publications
€7.90
Available for download
E-Book
12/2012
1st Edition
Oneworld Publications
€20.77
Available for download
Person
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.