The World's Best Book Summaries
What are the principles of Bayes’ Theorem? How can they help you calculate the probability of an event? Bayes’ Theorem suggests that you make better predictions when you consider the prior likelihood of an event and update your predictions in response to the latest evidence. Nate Silver discusses how the theorem encourages you to think while making predictions. Let’s look at the two Bayesian principles that can help you think better.
Is society’s reliance on technology really all that great? How do data and technology fail to make accurate predictions? It’s assumed that, with technological advancements, machines can help us do anything. This includes predicting the future. But, in actuality, they’re more wrong than ever. Continue reading to learn how our reliance on technology prevents us from making correct predictions.
Why is it hard to make predictions? How can you tell what the future has in store for you? According to The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver, prediction is an inherently challenging endeavor. He explores how insufficient information, system complexity, and the tendency of small errors to compound all limit the accuracy of predictions. Here’s why you can’t predict the future and the challenges you’ll face when attempting to.
Why do most predictions fail? How can we make better predictions that save people from catastrophic events? In The Signal and the Noise, Nate Silver argues that our predictions falter because of mental mistakes such as incorrect assumptions, overconfidence, and warped incentives. However, he also suggests that we can mitigate these thinking errors with the help of a method called Bayesian inference. Read below for a brief overview of The Signal and the Noise.
What’s the best way to learn? Does active recall learning work with all types of material? Whether you’re a student, professional, or lifelong learner, Learn Like a Pro by Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe can help you become a more effective learner. The authors offer tips and techniques for excelling at the key elements of learning, including how to actively engage with your materials. Continue reading to understand how active recall learning works.
Is technology helping or hurting us? What are the best books about technology that help us answer this question? Technology is all around us, whether we like it or not. It charges our phones, cooks our meals, and diagnoses medical problems. On the other hand, it also distracts us from work and affects our privacy. Below is a list of some of the best books about technology, organized into two categories: books that cheer on the advancements and those that warn about the dangers.
What’s the best way to use the Pomodoro method when learning something new? Is it possible to deliberately switch between two different modes of attention? In Learn Like a Pro, Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe explain that the brain has two modes of attention: focused and diffuse mode. They discuss how each mode works and then show how you can use both focused and diffuse modes of attention in learning. Read more to understand how these modes of attention work, and how you can effectively put them to work for you.
How are “forever chemicals” in water hazardous to your health? What’s behind the EPA’s new plan to regulate them? A new Environmental Protection Agency plan to rid US drinking water of “forever chemicals” (PFAS) could cost local utilities millions of dollars and send the financial pain downstream to customers. The agency says the proposal will prevent thousands of deaths related to the chemicals. Read on to learn about the dangers of forever chemicals and the EPA’s plan to reduce them in our water.
How do your working memory and long-term memory work together? What are some ways to improve your memory so you can learn more effectively? In Learn Like a Pro, Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe argue that you can become a better learner if you understand more about how your brain functions and adopt learning methods that work with your brain’s learning capabilities rather than against them. A key function they discuss is memory. Keep reading to understand the importance of memory in learning.
What are the limits of your working memory? How can you keep it from getting overloaded? Whether you’re a student, professional, or lifelong learner, Learn Like a Pro by Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe can help you become a more effective learner. They provide proven techniques for mastering new skills and knowledge quickly and efficiently, including simple strategies for improving your memory. Keep reading to learn how to improve your working memory.