Simplifying Decision-Making: Applying Computational Structures | Tom Griffiths

Key insights

• ⏳
  Optimal stopping problems, like finding a home, have simple solutions that can help us make better decisions in various situations.
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  Applying computer science principles to human decision-making can make the process easier and more efficient.
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  Computer scientists have made significant progress in understanding the explore/exploit trade-off, providing unexpected insights that can be applied in decision-making processes.
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  Computer science can help simplify decision-making, such as deciding what items to keep or give away when tidying up a wardrobe.
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  Martha Stewart's advice on decision-making includes asking four questions: How long have I had it? Does it still function? Is it a duplicate of something that I already own? And when was the last time I wore it or used it?
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  The most effective strategy for deciding what to remove from a computer's fast memory system is to focus on the items that have been least recently used, as it is likely that they won't be needed again for a long time.
• 🤔
  Applying the principle of organizing things for easy accessibility can also be beneficial in your office space.
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  The best algorithms in computer science solve hard problems by breaking them down into simpler problems, which can provide insight and produce good solutions in their own right.