Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Odd Socks and Algorithms

How the techniques of computer science can help us in everyday life, also why photoshopped images of famous people with pellet gun wounds are trending in Kashmir.

Brian Christian, co-author of ‘Algorithms to Live by: The Computer Science of Human Decisions’, argues that the techniques of computer science can help us manage everyday situations in a more logical and efficient manner. So which algorithm can help solve the problem of odd socks? Tim Harford investigates.

Also, photoshopped images of Mark Zuckerberg, Narendra Modi and several Bollywood stars - all wounded by pellet guns - are trending in Kashmir. They are part of a campaign to raise awareness about unrest in the region, which also claims Facebook is censoring posts about the story.

And why do we love driving? Mike Williams asks if we would miss driving ourselves, as auto-piloted cars are tested in cities around the world.

(Photo: Socks. Credit: Angela N Perryman via Shutterstock)

50 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 Aug 2016 17:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 4 Aug 2016 08:06GMT
  • Thu 4 Aug 2016 23:06GMT
  • Fri 5 Aug 2016 01:06GMT
  • Sun 7 Aug 2016 17:06GMT

Podcast