Everything Is Predictable: How Bayes' Remarkable Theorem Explains the World

Everything Is Predictable is a captivating tour of Bayes theorem and its impact on modern life, fusing biography, science communication, and intellectual history. It shows how a single compelling idea can have far-reaching consequences, from medical testing to artificial intelligence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Thomas Bayes, an eighteenth-century Presbyterian minister and amateur mathematician, made significant contributions to probability theory that had profound implications beyond games of chance. His theorem, now known as Bayes' theorem, has become a cornerstone of rational thought and is used in various applications, including modeling and forecasting. It helps explain why highly accurate screening tests can lead to false positives, causing unnecessary anxiety for patients, and has even been used in court to put innocent people in jail. Beyond its practical applications, Bayes' theorem is seen as a description of almost everything, representing the underlying architecture of rationality and the human brain. In his book, "Everything Is Predictable," Tom Chivers explores the impact of Bayes' theorem on modern life, covering topics such as medical testing, artificial intelligence, and more. Through a captivating blend of biography, science communication, and intellectual history, Chivers demonstrates how a single compelling idea can have far-reaching consequences.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399604031