The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

#89 Maria Konnikova: Less Certainty, More Inquiry

149 snips
Aug 4, 2020
Maria Konnikova, a professional poker player and psychologist renowned for her bestselling books, dives deep into decision-making under uncertainty. She shares her unexpected journey from writing to poker, revealing how chance and skill intertwine in both. Konnikova discusses the value of mentorship and reflection in honing one's decision-making abilities. Delving into Kantian insights, she emphasizes emotional awareness as crucial for judgment. Drawing parallels between poker and life, she advocates for a mindful, inquisitive approach to personal growth.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Unexpected Poker Journey

  • Maria Konnikova's transition from writer to poker player was unexpected.
  • She had no prior interest in poker and didn't even know the rules.
INSIGHT

Role of Chance

  • Life events made Konnikova reflect on the role of chance.
  • She realized that success isn't solely based on hard work, but also on luck.
INSIGHT

Poker as a Model for Life

  • John von Neumann saw poker as a game of incomplete information, a model for life's decisions.
  • Konnikova adopted this view and chose poker to explore chance and skill.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app