Everything Is Predictable: How Bayesian Statistics Explain Our World
S**F
Great intro and coverage of important topic
I loved this book. Chivers writes (and reads) entertainingly. If you want to understand Bayes' Theorem (you should!!!), there's no better place to start. Highly recommended for educational value plus entertainment.
J**E
Very informative, good read but...
This book is a great read. The topic is well explained and even entertaining, with many real-life examples. I would recommend it to anyone interested in an intuitive explanation of Bayes' theorem.However, the author occasionally interjects personal opinions on irrelevant matters (like his ability to perform well on tests or his ancestors) with sentences such as "If you are like me...." He also makes some comments that I found shocking about sensitive topics like race and eugenics. The author seems to be trying to justify the unjustifiable and uses the names of prominent figures, such as Bertrand Russell, to normalize these views. For instance, Russell is somehow equated with Dalton, who is known for his controversial theories on racial hierarchy.While I agree with mentioning researchers working on the topics as a reference, the author places significant weight on authority, which he justifies through Bayes' theorem. Although it might be "rational" to give more weight to well-known scientists, this approach contradicts the scientific method, which warns against placing individuals on a pedestal. Scientists, after all, are human.These issues occur only in a few passages. Apart from that, the book is excellent. It is well-explained, easy to follow, and entertaining, featuring examples ranging from simple (coin flipping) to complex (human behavior). The book is also highly informative and motivated me to explore some of the research mentioned.
K**R
Excellent read
This is easily my pick for nonfiction book of the year. I thought I understood Bayes Theory but after reading the book, there was so much more insight to it than I imagined. I particularly enjoyed reading about the brain’s prediction mechanism and how it relates to Bayes. The book managed to convey what I consider to be a complex topic in a very readable and enjoyable manner.
F**N
It Really Should Be Titled "Every Decision Is Based On Predictions"
Very nice and possibly too detailed review of Bayesian Theorem. It is a version of the wisdom of the crowds. The title could be misleading, though. Highly recommend this book for any one who makes forecasts. Easy to read, well -written. Thoroughly researched.
G**L
Bayes versus Human Use of AI
I find Bayesian thinking, and the supporting math to be absolutely wonderful. I only wish that it could resolve, as opposed to explaining, the human nature problem of one's`priors' which are so absurd, that they should be abandoned by the owner of those priors (as in it's hard to dis-prove a negative). This will be a growing problem with AI in social media.
A**S
A recommended read for the generalists
Granted there were sections that I listened to that confused me as an audio listener (I bought the hard copy later to repeat these sections) but taken as a whole very easy to comprehend for the non-mathematician.The historic reference points, central figures, and a big cheer for the conference notations...who would not want to attend a conference now after learning about Bayesian karaoke,?!This book should come with a poster after reading.
D**R
Stupid title
Stupid title, but pretty good introductory book.
J**S
This is how large language models work.
Amazing! A relatively young woman with no family history of breast cancer gets a positive mammogram, her chances of actually having breast cancer are only 4%. I thought of buying another copy to lock in a safety deposit box.
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