William Poundstone Libros

Los dilemas de la vida real surgen a partir de las diversas maneras en que nuestros intereses individuales se contraponen a los de los demás y a los de la sociedad en general. Muy a menudo nos vemos en la situación de tomar decisiones difíciles, a veces con resultados distintos de los que habíamos esperado. Se plantea entonces la siguiente cuestión, simple y a la vez apremiante: ¿existe un comportamiento racional para cada situación? En "El dilema del prisionero" se analiza este tipo de cuestiones a la luz de la moderna teoría matemática de juegos. William Poundstone presenta en este libro los aspectos fundamentales de tan importante teoría a través del análisis de casos concretos, en su mayoría de evidente relevancia sociológica. Asimismo, a lo largo de la obra se intercalan importantes facetas de la biografía personal y científica del creador de la teoría de juegos: el genial matemático John von Neumann.

A remarkable compilation of inside information, confirming the uncensored truth about some of America's top secrets, from the important to the amusing. Follows the success of Poundstone's Big Secrets.

In 1956 two Bell Labs scientists discovered the scientific formula for getting rich. One was mathematician Claude Shannon, neurotic father of our digital age, whose genius is ranked with Einstein's. The other was John L. Kelly Jr., a Texas-born, gun-toting physicist. Together they applied the science of information theory—the basis of computers and the Internet—to the problem of making as much money as possible, as fast as possible.Shannon and MIT mathematician Edward O. Thorp took the "Kelly formula" to Las Vegas. It worked. They realized that there was even more money to be made in the stock market. Thorp used the Kelly system with his phenomenonally successful hedge fund, Princeton-Newport Partners. Shannon became a successful investor, too, topping even Warren Buffett's rate of return. Fortune's Formula traces how the Kelly formula sparked controversy even as it made fortunes at racetracks, casinos, and trading desks. It reveals the dark side of this alluring scheme, which is founded on exploiting an insider's edge.Shannon believed it was possible for a smart investor to beat the market—and Fortune's Formula will convince you that he was right.

This fascinating popular science journey explores key concepts in information theory in terms of Conway's "Game of Life" program. The author explains the application of natural law to a random system and demonstrates the necessity of limits. Other topics include the limits of knowledge, paradox of complexity, Maxwell's demon, Big Bang theory, and much more. 1985 edition.

A practical guide to outguessing everything from multiple-choice tests to the office football pool to the stock market. People are predictable even when they try not to be. William Poundstone demonstrates how to turn this fact to personal advantage in scores of everyday situations, from playing the lottery to buying a home. ROCK BREAKS SCISSORS is mind-reading for real life. Will the next tennis serve go right or left? Will the market go up or down? Most people are poor at that kind of predicting. We are hard-wired to make bum bets on "trends" and "winning streaks" that are illusions. Yet ultimately we're all in the business of anticipating the actions of others. Poundstone reveals how to overcome the errors and improve the accuracy of your own outguessing. ROCK BREAKS SCISSORS is a hands-on guide to turning life's odds in your favor.

This book explores what paradox has to tell us of the nature of thought and reality, from the prisoner's dilemma to the thesis that the universe is a computer and from Schrodinger's cat to Searle's Chinese room.

Exploring the phenomenon of U.S. presidential elections where the runner-up claimed victory, the book reveals that these outcomes were not destined to occur. William Poundstone argues that the current electoral system is flawed and presents potential solutions that could prevent such unfair results in the future. Through a blend of political analysis and game theory, he uncovers ways to improve the voting process, making it more representative and just.

From the author of Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?, a fascinating look at how an equation that foretells the future is transforming everything we know about life, business, and the universe. In the 18th century, the British minister and mathematician Thomas Bayes devised a theorem that allowed him to assign probabilities to events that had never happened before. It languished in obscurity for centuries until computers came along and made it easy to crunch the numbers. Now, as the foundation of big data, Bayes' formula has become a linchpin of the digital economy. But here's where things get really interesting: Bayes' theorem can also be used to lay odds on the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence; on whether we live in a Matrix-like counterfeit of reality; on the "many worlds" interpretation of quantum theory being correct; and on the biggest question of all: how long will humanity survive? The Doomsday Calculation tells how Silicon Valley's profitable formula became a controversial pivot of contemporary thought. Drawing on interviews with thought leaders around the globe, it's the story of a group of intellectual mavericks who are challenging what we thought we knew about our place in the universe. The Doomsday Calculation is compelling reading for anyone interested in our culture and its future.

A fascinating biography of the dazzlingly brilliant Hungarian mathematician--considered by many to be the greatest genius of the 20th century--Prisoner's Dilemma tells the story of John Von Neumann, the inventor of the digital computer and key player in the invention of the atom bomb. Photographs.

How to tackle the toughest interview questions Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google have to offer - and other perplexing problems to puzzle any mind!