Dave´s thread on the passing of a mathematician made me think that some here might appreciate this book.

¨The Drunkard´s Walk. How Randomness Rules Our Lives.¨ Leonard Mlodinow.

It really is two books. One is how randomness rules our lives. The other is the historical development of mathematical theory. Mlodinow has a great sense of humor, but that still did not save the middle of the book for me. To be honest, I bogged down in the middle and picked up another book. When I finished that one, I happened to pick up Randomness again out of my suitcase. It was my last book in English. I am really glad I did. Towards the back it returned to observations on life and it has changed how I will look at many things.

The basic premise is that randomness is a strong factor in life, but the human mind is horrible at appreciating it. One anecdote was the flight instructor who chewed out his students after they made a bad landing. Since their next landing was always better, he was convinced that the chewing out improved them. The point is that the conclusion is incorrect. Whatever our level of abilities, we generally perform at an average level. But we all know we have good days and bad days where we perform really badly or surprisingly well. Our performance varies randomly and bad landings are followed by normal landings which are an improvement. But the chewing out had nothing to do with it.

I will leave it at that, except to point out that the same observation can be made of movie executives, investment advisors and, possibly, Dave.

I am really glad I happened to pick up the book and finish it. It has changed how I look at many things.

I believe the mathematical term is regression towards the mean. Thus geniuses and idiots both have kids that are closer to average intelligence. Explains a lot.

Transward

You are right. But somehow I prefer describing my life as a walk on the random side rather than as a regression to the mean.

Tom Leher (?) had a good approach to math.

I remember that book and the drunkard's walk and I remember the mathematics behind it.

That branch of math is stunningly powerful when used to solve problems.

Sweetpickle (imported) wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:54 pm Tom Leher (?) had a good approach to math.

Tom Lehrer

Plagiarize,

Let no one else's work evade your eyes,

Remember why the good Lord made your eyes,

So don't shade your eyes,

But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize -

Only be sure always to call it please 'research'.

River

So who published it? RANDOM HOUSE?

I cannot tell you. After writing the post, I left it in the small pile with the other books in English at a hotel in Cusco. I did buy it two months ago an airport bookstore which was one of the big two chains.

The Drunkard's Walk

Pantheon; 8th Printing edition (May 13, 2008)

http://www.amazon.com/Drunkards-Walk-Ra ... 0375424040

And the used copies are cheaper than the new ones.

DAMMIT@!

...it was a JOKE.... RANDOM House,...

...get it?

SHEESH!!!!