Episode · The Knowledge Project · 2020-08-04
Books mentioned on #89 Maria Konnikova: Less Certainty, More Inquiry
Professional poker player, psychologist and author of two New York Times best-sellers, Maria Konnikova discusses her mentors, making decisions in environments of uncertainty, the importance of reflection, cooling down your emotions and Sherlock Holmes. -- Want even more?
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Theory of Games and Economic Behavior
Theory of Games and Economic Behavior by John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern is a foundational academic text that established the formal mathematical framework for modern game theory.
Discussed“So I picked up Theory of Games, which is the foundational text of game theory.”
Where to get it
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Critique of Pure Reason
Immanuel Kant's foundational philosophical work "Critique of Pure Reason" investigates the limits and structure of human knowledge.
Discussed“Yes, he did, he did, he did, and I was so excited when I found that section of critique of pure reason, and was able to apply it to poker.”
Where to get it
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Mastermind
Mastermind by Maria Konnikova is a psychological exploration that uses the analytical techniques of Sherlock Holmes to teach readers how to improve their thinking, attention, and decision-making skills.
Discussed“Mastermind, just for context, was my first real exposure to your work.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (5) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Her newest book, The Biggest Bluff, tells the incredible story of how she convinced one of the best poker players in the world, Eric Seidel, to teach her how to play.”
“So this was never something that was an interest for me. And I actually had never played poker in my life. I didn't know the rules. I didn't know anything. When I first met the person who would end up becoming my coach and my mentor for many years and is one of the central characters of The Biggest Bluff,”
“The Confidence Game had just come out and I was ready to think about my next project.”
“Yes. Um, and I actually, that's the, the title of the last chapter, um, of, uh, my book is the Ludic fallacy.”
“My first book, Mastermind, was actually, it was about Sherlock Holmes, but it was really about mindfulness.”