TED Talks Daily I let algorithms randomize my life for two years | Max Hawkins
Feb 16, 2021
Max Hawkins, a computer scientist, shares his adventurous two-year experiment of letting algorithms dictate his life choices, from food to travel. He reflects on how surrendering control led to unexpected experiences and a richer understanding of life. By embracing randomness, he found new communities and stories in places like San Francisco and Mumbai. Hawkins challenges listeners to consider how stepping outside their comfort zones can open up a world of spontaneity and joy.
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Optimized Routine
- Max Hawkins enjoyed a highly optimized routine, waking up at 7 a.m. for coffee before biking to his dream job at Google.
- His life felt perfectly tailored to his interests, living in San Francisco surrounded by like-minded people.
Predictive Analytics and Randomness
- Inspired by a research paper on predictive analytics, Max questioned his perceived choices.
- He realized a machine-learning algorithm could likely predict his next move, leading him to develop a randomness app.
Random Destination App
- Max created an app that randomly selected locations on Google Maps.
- The app would then order an Uber to take him and his friend to the unknown destination, leading to unexpected experiences like visiting a psychiatric emergency center.