What the luck?
Subtitle: the surprising role of chance in our everyday lives
By: Gary Smith
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: The Overlook Press
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 289
ISBN-13: 9781468313758
Subjects: Probabilities; Chance; Fortune
Description: Explores the role of luck, specifically the concept of "regression to the mean," in everyday life, exploring how failures to understand chance and random variations influence choices and perceptions of truth.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 269-282) and index.
Table of contents: title: I: Overreaction. The law of small numbers; title: II: Inherited traits. The father of regression ; Choose your parents carefully; title: III: Education. Testing 1,2,3 ; The beatings will continue until morale improves ; Money for nothing ; Learning and unlearning; title: IV: Games of chance. Hopes and excuses; title: V: Sports. Champions choke ; Jinxes, slumps, and superstitions ; Being smart about it; title: VI: Health: Take two aspirin ; The tin standard; title: VII: Business. The triumph of mediocrity ; From bad to better and great to good ; Draft picks, CEOs, and soul mates; title: VIII: Forecasting. A better crystal ball; title: IX: Investing. $100 bills on the sidewalk; title: X: Conclusion. Living with regression.