The Art of Unpredictability


Book Description

What could a book titled The Art of Unpredictability be about? This is probably why you're skimming through the description to decide if this is worth the time, or if it will end up as another Amazon purchase you'll leave on a bookshelf to collect dust. Honestly, this book is more about balance than anything. You see, we all need an equal balance of routine and surprise in our lives. Predictability and unpredictability. Each person's balance is different. Some people value more chaos, and others value more structure. Where that line is drawn is up to you. This book highlights the unpredictable side. Because I think most people tend to steer toward structure and aim to control their life when they really should let go and just say "yes" more often. That guy who has excuses all the time? I hate that guy. I've collected the best moments and challenges of Las Vegas adventures, Coldplay concerts, and major car crashes to reveal how you can develop my strongest personality trait-being completely unpredictable. I hope that as you venture through each chapter's stories, you'll be more inspired to take on each day as if it were a videogame. You get to create your own rules, the boundaries are limited only by your creativity, and the best part is that anything is possible... I know, you've heard that before. But how many people do you know who actively prove it?




Rock Breaks Scissors


Book Description

A practical guide to outguessing everything, from multiple-choice tests to the office football pool to the stock market. People are predictable even when they try not to be. William Poundstone demonstrates how to turn this fact to personal advantage in scores of everyday situations, from playing the lottery to buying a home. Rock Breaks Scissors is mind-reading for real life. Will the next tennis serve go right or left? Will the market go up or down? Most people are poor at that kind of predicting. We are hard-wired to make bum bets on "trends" and "winning streaks" that are illusions. Yet ultimately we're all in the business of anticipating the actions of others. Poundstone reveals how to overcome the errors and improve the accuracy of your own outguessing. Rock Breaks Scissors is a hands-on guide to turning life's odds in your favor.




The Unpredictable Species


Book Description

How our brains have evolved so that we control how we think and behave The Unpredictable Species argues that the human brain evolved in a way that enhances our cognitive flexibility and capacity for innovation and imitation. In doing so, the book challenges the central claim of evolutionary psychology that we are locked into predictable patterns of behavior that were fixed by genes, and refutes the claim that language is innate. Philip Lieberman builds his case with evidence from neuroscience, genetics, and physical anthropology, showing how our basal ganglia—structures deep within the brain whose origins predate the dinosaurs—came to play a key role in human creativity. He demonstrates how the transfer of information in these structures was enhanced by genetic mutation and evolution, giving rise to supercharged neural circuits linking activity in different parts of the brain. Human invention, expressed in different epochs and locales in the form of stone tools, digital computers, new art forms, complex civilizations—even the latest fashions—stems from these supercharged circuits. The Unpredictable Species boldly upends scientifically controversial yet popular beliefs about how our brains actually work. Along the way, this compelling book provides insights into a host of topics related to human cognition, including associative learning, epigenetics, the skills required to be a samurai, and the causes of cognitive confusion on Mount Everest and of Parkinson's disease.




Be Unpredictable


Book Description

Imagine a life where every moment is an adventure waiting to unfold, where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary, and where the predictable becomes a thing of the past. In this groundbreaking masterpiece, you'll embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of the conventional, challenging you to break free from the chains of routine and embrace the exhilaration of the unknown. This book is your passport to a world where innovation and creativity thrive. Through riveting stories, powerful insights, and actionable strategies, "Be Unpredictable" will empower you to harness the magnetic force of spontaneity, turning the unexpected into your greatest ally. Learn to navigate uncharted waters with grace, make decisions that stun the world, and weave a narrative of surprise that captivates those around you. Discover the psychology behind unpredictability and how it can catapult you to new heights in your personal and professional lives. Uncover the secrets of influential figures who have mastered the art of surprise and gain practical tools to infuse spontaneity into your daily existence. This book isn't just about living in the moment-it's about seizing the moment and bending it to your will. "Be Unpredictable" is a game-changer, a guide that transcends the boundaries of traditional self-help literature. It's a beacon for those who refuse to be shackled by the ordinary, beckoning you to join a tribe of trailblazers who understand that the magic of life unfolds in unscripted moments. Prepare to embark on a transformative journey where every page is a revelation and every chapter is a stepping stone toward a life filled with excitement, creativity, and unparalleled success. If you're ready to break free from the chains of predictability and embrace the thrill of the unknown, then "Be Unpredictable" is not just a book-it's your ticket to a life that defies expectations and leaves an indelible mark on the world. Are you ready to be unpredictable? The adventure begins now.




Everyday Chaos


Book Description

Chaos and complexity explained, with illuminating examples ranging from unpredictable pendulums to London's wobbly Millennium Bridge. The math we are taught in school is precise and only deals with simple situations. Reality is far more complex. Trying to understand a system with multiple interacting components—the weather, for example, or the human body, or the stock market—means dealing with two factors: chaos and complexity. If we don't understand these two essential subjects, we can't understand the real world. In Everyday Chaos, Brian Clegg explains chaos and complexity for the general reader, with an accessible, engaging text and striking full-color illustrations. By chaos, Clegg means a system where complex interactions make predicting long-term outcomes nearly impossible; complexity means complex interacting systems that have new emergent properties that make them more than the sum of their parts. Clegg illustrates these phenomena with discussions of predictable randomness, the power of probability, and the behavior of pendulums. He describes what Newton got wrong about gravity; how feedback kept steam engines from exploding; and why weather produces chaos. He considers the stock market, politics, bestseller lists, big data, and London's wobbling Millennium Bridge as examples of chaotic systems, and he explains how a better understanding of chaos helps scientists predict more accurately the risk of catastrophic Earth-asteroid collisions. We learn that our brains are complex, self-organizing systems; that the structure of snowflakes exemplifies emergence; and that life itself has been shown to be an emergent property of a complex system.







The Click Moment


Book Description

In the story of every great company and career, there is one defining moment when luck and skill collide. This book is about making that moment happen. According to Frans Johansson’s research, successful people and organizations show a common theme. A lucky moment occurs and they take advantage of it to change their fate. Consider how Diane von Furstenberg saw Julie Nixon Eisenhower on TV wearing a matching skirt and top, and created the timeless, elegant wrap-dress. That was a “click moment” of unexpected opportunity. Johansson uses stories from throughout history to illustrate the specific actions we can take to create more click moments, place lots of high-potential bets, open ourselves up to chance encounters, and harness the complex forces of success that follow.




From Fingers to Digits


Book Description

Essays on computer art and its relation to more traditional art, by a pioneering practitioner and a philosopher of artificial intelligence. In From Fingers to Digits, a practicing artist and a philosopher examine computer art and how it has been both accepted and rejected by the mainstream art world. In a series of essays, Margaret Boden, a philosopher and expert in artificial intelligence, and Ernest Edmonds, a pioneering and internationally recognized computer artist, grapple with key questions about the aesthetics of computer art. Other modern technologies—photography and film—have been accepted by critics as ways of doing art. Does the use of computers compromise computer art's aesthetic credentials in ways that the use of cameras does not? Is writing a computer program equivalent to painting with a brush? Essays by Boden identify types of computer art, describe the study of creativity in AI, and explore links between computer art and traditional views in philosophical aesthetics. Essays by Edmonds offer a practitioner's perspective, considering, among other things, how the experience of creating computer art compares to that of traditional art making. Finally, the book presents interviews in which contemporary computer artists offer a wide range of comments on the issues raised in Boden's and Edmonds's essays.




The Power Playbook: Mastering The Art Of Influence Navigating The Complex World Of Power Dynamics


Book Description

THE POWER PLAYBOOK: MASTERING THE ART OF INFLUENCE NAVIGATING THE COMPLEX WORLD OF POWER DYNAMICS ABOUT THIS BOOK THE POWER PLAYBOOK this book is a guide to the subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle tactics that can help you gain and maintain power in any situation. It is a collection of principles that, when followed, can help you navigate the tricky terrain of the power game. It provides a unique and pragmatic perspective on how to acquire and maintain power in a world where the weak are often crushed by the strong. It covers a wide range of topics such as how to establish authority, how to manipulate people and situations, and how to maintain control. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of power and how to use it effectively. MAIN THEMES Understanding the nature of power: The book explains the different forms of power, such as physical, social, and psychological, and how they can be used in various situations. It also delves into the concept of power as a tool for achieving one's goals and how to identify opportunities to gain power. Learning how to play the power game: The book provides a set of laws and strategies for navigating the complex world of power dynamics. It teaches how to build alliances, how to identify and exploit weaknesses in others, and how to avoid the traps that can lead to the loss of power. Using power to manipulate and influence others: The book explains how to use the tools of persuasion, manipulation, and deception to influence others and achieve one's goals. It covers topics such as how to read people, how to create an image of power, and how to use emotions to control others. Understanding the psychology of power: The book delves into the psychological aspects of power, such as how it affects people's behavior and how it can change one's personality. It also explains how power can be used to achieve personal and professional goals, and how to resist its negative effects. Using power to achieve goals: The book provides a set of guidelines for setting and achieving goals, and how to use power to make them happen. It covers topics such as how to create a vision for the future, how to build a strong network, and how to manage resources to achieve one's objectives. BOOK CONTENT (20 CHAPTERS) Never Outshine The Master Never Put Too Much Trust In Friends, Learn How To Use Enemies Conceal Your Intentions Always Say Less Than Necessary So Much Depends On Reputation – Guard It With Your Life Court Attention At All Costs Get Others To Do The Work For You, But Always Take The Credit Make Other People Come To You – Use Bait If Necessary Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument Infection: Avoid The Unhappy And Unlucky Learn To Keep People Dependent On You Use Selective Honesty And Generosity To Disarm Your Victim When Asking For Help, Appeal To People’s Self-Interest Pose As A Friend, Work As A Spy Crush Your Enemy Totally Use Absence To Increase Respect And Honor Keep Others In Suspended Terror: Cultivate An Air Of Unpredictability Do Not Build Fortresses To Protect Yourself – Isolation Is Dangerous Know Who You’re Dealing With – Do Not Offend The Wrong Person Do Not Commit To Anyone




Handbook for an Unpredictable Life


Book Description

Oscar-nominated actress and star of the new musical drama Rise, Rosie Perez’s never-before-told story of surviving a harrowing childhood and of how she found success—both in and out of the Hollywood limelight. Rosie Perez first caught our attention with her fierce dance in the title sequence of Do the Right Thing and has since defined herself as a funny and talented actress who broke boundaries for Latinas in the film industry. What most people would be surprised to learn is that the woman with the big, effervescent personality has a secret straight out of a Dickens novel. At the age of three, Rosie’s life was turned upside down when her mentally ill mother tore her away from the only family she knew and placed her in a Catholic children’s home in New York’s Westchester County. Thus began her crazily discombobulated childhood of being shuttled between “the Home,” where she and other kids suffered all manners of cruelty from nuns, and various relatives’ apartments in Brooklyn. Many in her circumstances would have been defined by these harrowing experiences, but with the intense determination that became her trademark, Rosie overcame the odds and made an incredible life for herself. She brings her journey vividly to life on each page of this memoir—from the vibrant streets of Brooklyn to her turbulent years in the Catholic home, and finally to film and TV sets and the LA and New York City hip-hop scenes of the 1980s and ‘90s. More than a page-turning read, Handbook for an Unpredictable Life is a story of survival. By turns heartbreaking and funny, it is ultimately the inspirational story of a woman who has found a hard-won place of strength and peace.