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Hello World
- How to Be Human in the Age of the Machine
- Narrated by: Hannah Fry
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
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Summary
Random House presents the audiobook edition of Hello World by Hannah Fry.
You are accused of a crime. Who would you rather determined your fate - a human or an algorithm?
An algorithm is more consistent and less prone to error of judgment. Yet a human can look you in the eye before passing sentence.
You need a liver transplant to save your life. Who would you want in charge of organ allocation?
An algorithm can match organ donors with patients, potentially saving many more lives. But it may send you to the back of the queue.
You’re buying a (driverless) car. One vehicle is programmed to save as many lives as possible in a collision. Another promises to prioritise the lives of its passengers. Which do you choose?
Welcome to the age of the algorithm, the story of a not-too-distant future where machines rule supreme, making important decisions - in health care, transport, finance, security, what we watch, where we go, even whom we send to prison. So how much should we rely on them? What kind of future do we want?
Hannah Fry takes us on a tour of the good, the bad and the downright ugly of the algorithms that surround us. In Hello World she lifts the lid on their inner workings, demonstrates their power, exposes their limitations and examines whether they really are an improvement on the humans they are replacing.
Critic reviews
"Wise, sharp and witty, the definitive guide to living in the age of social media, algorithms and automation.'' (Adam Rutherford)
What listeners say about Hello World
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- Justus
- 14-09-18
A very well balanced and informative view
The impact of computing on society, equally showing pros and cons. Compelling, informative and scientific.
As opposed to many other publications under this topic this book provides a balanced view of what "algorithms" do to society. Often this topic is tackled by die-hard proponents, promising paradise on earth by means of intelligent machines or fear mongering opponents, predicting our extinction by a rogue AI.
This book instead offers facts. Real world examples if what algorithms can do and cases in which they failed, in addition to scientific studies and papers outlining just what exactly algorithms are capable of and what they will never achieve.
Hannah beautifully manages to convey complex topics such as Bayesian probability in simple words and keep the listener engaged whilst ensuring what is said is precise and scientifically sound.
In a old where it feels as though everything must be black and white, one is either for it or against it, it is especially valuable for a book to be so balanced and "Grey" in the best way.
I personally think this is a must read. For everyone. Algorithms interact with everyone and it's only going to increase in the future. Particularly those people unfamiliar with the workings and limitations of computers will find a highly accurate and easy to understand outline of algorithmic capabilities in this book.
It was so worth it to renew my audible subscription to get this book.
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10 people found this helpful
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- Daniel O'Connor
- 13-12-18
Fascinating, thought-provoking and terrifying 😨
Always been a fan since the early days of Radio 4's "Curious Cases" and had been looking forward to this.
It's really good. Educational and makes you think, and the section describing how China uses social media is *literally* something out of Black Mirror.
I see it as a companion piece to Yuval Noah Harari's "Homo Deus". Dr. Fry talks about the science, Harari discusses the consequences. Both are excellent.
And plus, listening to the Audible version means you get Hannah Fry's Lauren-Bacall-if-she-came-from-Essex voice breathing at you for several hours. Which is nice.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 31-08-18
Just brilliant
I have always appreciated the work of Hannah Fry since I first heard of her, but this book was more than anything I could have asked for. It’s a book full of tons of little story’s I will be repeating to my friends (only if I haven’t already made them buy themselves).
Undoubtedly worth using my audible free trial for this. If I had to sum it up in a phrase: MIND EXPANDING. And her voice is amazing. This book will give you something to say at every family dinner for the next year or so. Well done Hannah! :)
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2 people found this helpful
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- S. S. Allen
- 24-08-18
An essential read for all those who value data.
Hannah Fry gives an intriguing and exposing insight into the world of the algorithm. She raises what many of us must have been thinking if only subconsciously, that algorithms play an important part in our lives. It is wonderful when they work well. As Hannah points out they can be incredibly destructive if used incorrectly even to the point of causing death. Hannah Fry not only wrote this book but read it as well. It is wonderfully read. Books read by the author have so much more impact. It is wonderful to listen to and I hope that those who rely on algorithms will listen to this book. It also raises the question that if data is in a computer it must be correct. Data, of course, is only as good as the capture and the input. Inevitably data is categorised. Get that wrong and the data is at best useless and at worst dangerous. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. An essential read for all who value data and its uses.
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2 people found this helpful
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- BeardyMcBeardFace
- 24-08-18
Fascinating, informative mellow
Fabulous insight into how information about us all is collected and turned into big data and used.. mostly for everyone's benefit. I bought this yesterday and finished it today. The fastest I've ever finished a book. It was as close to a non-stop read/listen as you can get. Sadly I had to stop because I haven't mastered sleep-deprivation.
It is a bonus the Hannah Fry narrates her own book. Without wanting to cross the creepy line, her voice is as warm and mellow a a cup of hot chocolate just before sleep. Perfect for audio books. A suggestion for a sideline maybe?
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2 people found this helpful
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- Paul Hinds
- 23-08-18
Wow! What a great listen
I was really looking forward to this book being released and I wasn’t disappointed.
I have read a lot of books already about ‘big data’, artificial intelligence and algorithms, but the difference with Dr Fry’s work is that it weaves in human stories alongside the description of the technology. Many of the examples given in the book are well established, such as Deep Blue beating Gary Kasparov at chess, but the book discusses as much about Kasparov’s emotional response to Deep Blue’s strategy as much as the algorithm behind it. This really brings home the idea that the future of this technology is as much about the human condition as it is about the technology itself.
This book has something for everyone irrespective of whether you are looking for an introduction to the subject or already have a good understanding. The narration is excellent and the book flows so easily that I ended up listening to the whole thing in one day.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Dave Barns
- 02-09-18
A fascinating journey through the murky world of algorithms!
An amazing listen. Beautifully written with wonderful narration from hannah. Packed with engaging stories that bring the world of algorithms to life.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Malthe S.
- 01-09-18
Very charming narrator
Hello World is full of interesting stories and thoughts on the effect of algorithms and Hannah Fry does an excellent job of narrating it in an engaging manner.
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- Michael Clarke
- 01-09-18
An interesting and stimulating listen
Excellent use of anecdotes and examples to make complex topics interesting and engaging.
As Hannah broaches a variety of topics in the book, even if you don't know much about a particular part you can enjoy the whole. The theme runs strong and true through till the end, including personal opinions of the author and arriving at a conclusion.
It had the feel of a well researched academic paper presented in layman's terms such that any listener could understand it.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Lewis
- 31-08-18
The good, the bad, and the ugly algorithms.
Great book about the good, the bad, and the ugly algorithms that influence our lives. Excellent narration by the author, who is a seasoned TV and radio presenter. Not overly long either. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be. A very good audiobook.
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