{"product_id":"the-doomsday-calculation-how-an-equation-that-predicts-the-future-is-transforming-everything-we-know-about-life-and-the-universe-9780316440691","title":"The Doomsday Calculation: How an Equation That Predicts the Future Is Transforming Everything We Know about Life and the Universe","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom the author of \u003ci\u003eAre You Smart Enough to Work at Google?\u003c\/i\u003e, a fascinating look at how an equation that foretells the future is transforming everything we know about life, business, and the universe.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut 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? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Doomsday Calculation\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003ci\u003eThe Doomsday Calculation\u003c\/i\u003e is compelling reading for anyone interested in our culture and its future. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Little, Brown Spark\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/04\/2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780316440691\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 320\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.60lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.10h x 5.40w x 1.00d","brand":"William Poundstone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36636270493852,"sku":"9780316440691","price":18.69,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_3fe0211a-6477-4b8e-9b38-02b376f34744.jpg?v=1603841439","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-doomsday-calculation-how-an-equation-that-predicts-the-future-is-transforming-everything-we-know-about-life-and-the-universe-9780316440691","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}