Algorithms to live by

🎙️ The Books Insider Recap – Algorithms to Live By

When computer science meets everyday life — and actually makes sense.

Hey curious minds,
This week on The Books Insider, we got a little geeky — in the best way possible. We cracked open Algorithms to Live By and honestly? It felt like a conversation we’ve all needed but never thought to have.

You don’t have to be a programmer to get something out of this book. That’s what made it so fun to talk about on the pod. Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths take ideas from computer science — sorting, caching, scheduling, exploring — and show how these cold, logical tools can actually help us make better, saner decisions in real life.

🧠 Wait — Algorithms for Real Life?

Yes. And they’re more relevant than you’d think.

In the episode, we dove into how concepts like the 37% rule (stop searching when you’ve sampled 37% of your options — whether it’s job candidates or apartments) or explore vs. exploit (when to try something new vs. stick with what works) aren’t just tech jargon. They’re real strategies for when life gets messy.

And wow, did this spark some discussion.

Listeners were messaging in real-time like, “This explains my dating life perfectly” or “This is why I can never decide what to eat.” Same. We all have our little algorithmic crises, we just didn’t know there was math behind them.

📚 Lessons We Took Personally

• You don’t need to optimize everything. Sometimes “good enough” is actually the optimal choice. That felt… freeing.

• Memory matters. The concept of caching helped us rethink how we mentally store and access things — not just on our phones, but in our heads.

• Time is the most valuable data. The scheduling chapter? Life-changing. We talked about how some decisions aren’t about energy or money — they’re about how you use your hours.

This wasn’t a dry or overly technical conversation — we kept it human. We asked the big questions:
What if you applied a sorting algorithm to your closet?
What if you stopped trying to “optimize” your career and made peace with uncertainty?
What if you just… let the algorithm help you let go?

🤖 But Isn’t This Just for Coders?

Not at all. That’s what makes the book so special. It’s written in a way that’s super accessible — no coding skills required. And in the episode, we made sure to break it down in relatable terms. Whether you’re a techie or someone who still has 53 tabs open trying to pick a vacation spot, this episode hits home.

Final Thoughts from the Pod
Algorithms to Live By reminded us that not every decision has to be emotional chaos or pure instinct. Sometimes, stepping back and thinking like a computer can reduce the stress — not dehumanize us, but actually help us live smarter, calmer lives.

If you’re someone who overthinks everything (guilty), or just loves the idea that there might be logic behind life’s chaos, this is the episode for you.

Until next time,
Don’t optimize everything — just enough.