MindsetProdigy

Highly recommended

Algorithms to Live By

The Computer Science of Human Decisions

by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths

How computer science solutions can help with everyday decisions, from finding a home to organizing your inbox.

  • Published 2016
  • Moderate
  • Science and research
  • 1 min analysis
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Introduction

Brian Christian, a writer, and Tom Griffiths, a cognitive scientist at Princeton, published Algorithms to Live By in 2016. They apply algorithms from computer science to human problems.

Topics include optimal stopping (when to stop searching), explore vs exploit, sorting, caching and scheduling.

Who should read this book?

Curious readers interested in smarter decisions and computer science.

Helps with: Focus and get more done, Think and decide more clearly

The central message

Many human problems have mathematical structure. Algorithms can help us decide better and worry less.

Key ideas and concepts

  1. Optimal stopping

    The 37% rule for when to stop looking.

  2. Explore vs exploit

    Balance trying new things with enjoying favourites.

  3. Sorting and caching

    Organize based on what you use most.

  4. Scheduling

    Strategies for prioritizing tasks.

  5. Computational kindness

    Make decisions easier for others.

Deeper analysis

Algorithms to Live By is clever, engaging and surprisingly practical. Its ideas help readers make decisions with less stress.

Some chapters are technical and real life is messier than algorithms. It's a fascinating, unique book.

Practical applications

  • Use the 37% rule for a search.
  • Balance exploring and exploiting.
  • Organize items by recent use.
  • Prioritize tasks using a scheduling rule.
  • Offer fewer choices to others.

Your 7-day action plan

  1. Day 1

    Learn optimal stopping.

  2. Day 2

    Explore vs exploit.

  3. Day 3

    Organize by use.

  4. Day 4

    Try a scheduling rule.

  5. Day 5

    Practise computational kindness.

  6. Day 6

    Reflect on a decision.

  7. Day 7

    Reflect.

Outcomes to expect

What readers who apply this book can realistically take away from it:

  • Smarter decisions
  • Less stress
  • Better organization
  • Clear thinking

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

  • Clever and engaging
  • Practical
  • Unique
  • Well researched

Limitations

  • Technical chapters
  • Real life messier
  • Long

Reflection questions

  1. When should you stop searching?
  2. Are you exploring or exploiting?
  3. How do you organize?
  4. How could you make decisions easier for others?

About the authors

Brian Christian

Writer; co-author of Algorithms to Live By.

Full profile and books

Tom Griffiths

Cognitive scientist; co-author of Algorithms to Live By.

Full profile and books

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Book details (title, author, year) are factual. Everything under the headings above is MindsetProdigy's own editorial analysis and interpretation, written to help you decide whether to read the book and how to apply it. It is not a substitute for reading the book itself. Last updated October 2, 2026.