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Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions

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Brian Christian
Brian Christian

Brian Christian is an American author known for his insightful exploration of algorithms and artificial intelligence. His work delves into the impact of technology on human life and the role of algorithms in decision-making and creativity. more

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“Well, without at least some optimism writing anything is impossible -- you have to believe that someone out there will be reading what you write. Even more so for science fiction for me -- we're thinking and writing about the future, so to a greater or lesser extent we're thinking that there will be a future to participate in, and that people will be there to tell us what we got right and what we got wrong. Even dystopian literature often trades in hope of some form -- people fighting against the dystopia, for example. There will always be specific counter-examples, but I think generally science fiction has optimism baked in. We believe in the future, even if there's a long slog between where we are now and where we will go.”

“Agathisim is the doctrine that all things tend towards ultimate good, as distinguished from optimism, which holds that all things are now for the best. An agathist accepts that evil and misfortune will ultimately happen, but that the eventual outcome leads towards the good. A setback never deters an agathist. We must not allow failure to act to arrest, diminished, or impoverish personal development and growth. We must be loyal to other people as well as be equally devoted to achieving our personal goals while adhering to our principles. If we betray ourselves at the bidding of other people, we forfeit everything that will ever matter.”

“I trust, and nothing that happens disturbs my trust. I recognize the beneficence of the power which we all worship as supreme-Order, Fate, the Great Spirit, Nature, God. I recognize this power in the sun that makes all things grow and keeps life aloof. I make a friend of this indefinable force, and straightway I feel glad, brave for any lot Heaven may decree for me. This is my religion of optimism.”