Bibliograph

The doomsday calculation, how an equation that predicts the future is transforming everything we know about life and the universe, William Poundstone

Type

Label

The doomsday calculation, how an equation that predicts the future is transforming everything we know about life and the universe, William Poundstone

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-295) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The doomsday calculation

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1101988935

Responsibility statement

William Poundstone

Sub title

how an equation that predicts the future is transforming everything we know about life and the universe

Summary

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

Table Of Contents

Diana and Charles -- Part I: Consider the lemming. How to predict everything ; Riddle of the sphinx ; The minister of Tunbridge Wells ; A history of grim reckoning ; Twelve reasons why the doomsday argument is wrong ; Twenty-four dogs in Albuquerque ; Baby names and bomb fragments ; Sleeping beauty ; The presumptuous philosopher ; Tarzan meets Jane ; The shooting room ; The metaphysics of gumball machines -- Part II: Life, mind, universe. The simulation hypothesis ; The Fermi question ; The princess in the tower ; Two questions for an extraterrestrial ; Pandora's box ; Life and death in many worlds ; 1/137 ; Summoning the demon ; You are here

Classification