#018: Game Theory Insights for Life, How Paul Graham Teaches Kids Math, Quitting AI

Hi All!

We are pleased to welcome you to this week's edition of Undiscovered, a newsletter with exclusive resources and insights expanding from the material found on our main site - becketu.com.

This edition is helped in part by the support of Boot.dev. Be sure to check them out in the P.S. for a special signup offer and more information. Let's jump into this week's finds:

What Game Theory Reveals About Life, The Universe, and Everything

This video from Veritasium is an excellent overview of Game Theory. It includes some of the most critical aspects of study including Prisoner's Dilemma, Tit for Tat, and more. It provides plenty of historical, hypothetical, and natural examples, demonstrating how prevalent it is in our everyday lives.

We will be adding this to our Game Theory Resources section on the main site, where you can find even more ways to learn the subject.

How Paul Graham Helps His Kids Prepare for Math Tests

I found the following tweet by Paul Graham to be an interesting insight into how he teaches his children math:

Paul Graham @paulg Helped 11 yo prepare for a math test. I asked him lots of questions close to but not exactly the type that will be on the test. He protested at first, but I explained that my goal was for him to know his way around the numbers, not just a few paths through them. 4:32 PM • Jan 30, 2024 21 Retweets 879 Likes Read 39 replies

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When someone asked what kind of questions he asked, he replied with - "What's a better deal, $2 off something that costs $14 or $10 off something that costs $60?"

Why a 25 Year Old is Quitting the AI Industry

On January 28th, @not_a_heather on Twitter asked 'r u allowed to decide u dont like your career and u want a totally different one even if youre 28 lol'.

​Adam Geringer, a 25 year old in the Machine Learning industry, responded with why he is looking to switch careers. He provides an insider's view into how Artificial Intelligence is changing tech and how hollow some aspects of the indsutry have become in the last year. He discusses what he will look into next career-wise and forces us all to reflect on the work we are doing.

A Graphic That Could Save Your Life

If you have ever been in the situation where your car battery is dead, you know it's not a fun experience. Instead of waiting for a mechanic, here is a useful visual (that I wish I had before) from World of Engineering that shows how to jump a car:

World of Engineering @engineers_feed How to jump a car. 10:0 AM • Feb 7, 2024 3385 Retweets 24369 Likes Read 266 replies

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Ralph Waldo Emerson on Seizing the Day

I came across this tweet from Peter Mallouk, and I think it's as timely as ever. Our ability to persuade and sell largely comes down to our mindset, and this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us to seize the opportunity each day provides:

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays."

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Always wishing you the best,

J.B.