#87 Hannah Fry: The Role of Algorithms

1. Low Negativity Threshold in Relationships

For long-term relationship success, address minor annoyances and issues quickly and directly as they emerge, rather than letting them fester. This ’low negativity threshold’ approach allows for continuous repair and prevents bottled-up frustrations from escalating into larger conflicts.

2. Optimal Dating Strategy: 37% Rule

Apply the ‘37% rule’ to dating: spend the first 37% of your dating life exploring without commitment. After this initial period, choose to settle down with the very next person encountered who surpasses all previous partners in suitability.

3. Balance Human and Algorithmic Decisions

Understand that algorithms are superior for consistent, precise tasks, but human oversight remains critical for complex social decisions where machines can make catastrophic errors. Always keep a human in the loop for decisions with significant societal impact.

4. Resist Algorithmic Responsibility Abdication

Actively resist the human tendency to abdicate responsibility by blindly following algorithmic recommendations, as this can lead to cognitive shortcuts and poor decisions. Design systems to prevent this by requiring human engagement and critical review at the decision interface.

5. Integrate Algorithms Thoughtfully

When designing or deploying algorithms, always consider their integration with the human world and society, rather than evaluating them in isolation. This prevents catastrophic consequences by anticipating how people will interact with and be affected by the technology.

6. Design Algorithms for Human Oversight

When designing algorithmic systems, provide users with multiple options and a clear opportunity to review or overrule the machine’s suggestions. This approach prevents blind trust and allows for human sanity checks, mitigating potential errors.

7. Make AI Systems Interrogatable

Design AI and machine learning systems to be transparent and allow human experts to interrogate their decision-making processes. This ‘opens the box’ beyond a simple yes/no answer, enabling professionals to understand and verify the AI’s conclusions.

8. Regulate Algorithms via Independent Boards

Support the establishment of independent regulatory bodies, akin to the FDA for pharmaceuticals, to thoroughly interrogate, stress-test, and approve algorithms. This approach ensures accountability and addresses transparency concerns without hindering innovation.

9. Beware Algorithm Over-Detection

Exercise caution when deploying algorithms for detection, particularly in critical fields like medicine, as being overly sensitive can lead to the identification of benign issues. This can result in unnecessary and invasive treatments for conditions that pose no real threat.

10. Grasp True Exponential Growth

To better comprehend rapidly changing phenomena, understand that exponential growth means a fixed fraction change over a fixed period, not merely a large increase. This counterintuitive concept is crucial for accurately anticipating future developments.

11. Humanize Complex Subjects

To make complex subjects more engaging, connect them to human stories and the people involved in their development or application. This approach leverages our natural inclination towards narratives, making the subject more relatable and alive.

12. Show Subject’s Real-World Utility

When teaching or learning a complex subject, actively seek and demonstrate its practical applications and importance in the modern world. This approach can make the subject more engaging and relevant.

13. Daily Practice Builds Enjoyment

Consistently practice a subject daily, even for a short period (e.g., one page of a textbook), to significantly improve your understanding and skill. This improvement fosters enjoyment, making the subject feel less like hard work.