Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
Fritterin’ Away Genius
May 14, 2021
Explore the genius of Claude Shannon, the father of information theory, who famously juggled serious science with whimsical hobbies like playing chess and solving Rubik's Cubes. Discover his daring collaboration with mathematician Ed Thorpe to beat roulette, turning luck into skill. Delve into the playful aspects of Shannon's creativity, showcasing how his eccentric pursuits enriched his groundbreaking ideas. Finally, ponder the balance between innovation and completion bias in a life filled with diverse interests.
36:41
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Quick takeaways
- Exploring diverse interests and projects can lead to rich and creative life experiences.
- Embracing restlessness and 'fritterin' can contribute to a fuller life with lasting memories.
Deep dives
Edward Thorp and Claude Shannon Conquer Roulette with a Wearable Computer
In August 1961, Edward Thorp approaches Claude Shannon with a daring plan to beat roulette in Las Vegas. Thorp, an MIT mathematics instructor, and Shannon, a renowned computer scientist, team up to create a wearable computer that predicts the ball's landing on the roulette wheel. By timing the wheel and ball rotations, the computer gives Thorp signals through an earpiece, enabling them to predict around one-eighth of the wheel where the ball will land, granting them a 20% accuracy. Despite the successful device, the team decides to retire it after a single trip to Vegas.
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