On the Edge: Book Overview & Takeaways (Nate Silver)

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What’s On the Edge by Nate Silver about? What do Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, professional poker players, and effective altruists have in common? According to Nate Silver, all of the people above think like players at a high-stakes poker table. In his book On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything, Silver reveals how the world’s most influential people use probabilistic thinking and calculated risk-taking to achieve extraordinary success. Read more in our On the Edge book overview.

Don’t Trust Your Gut: Overview (Seth Stephens-Davidowitz)

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Is big data the guide to making better life decisions? Can millions of data points on behavior replace your own intuition? In his book Don’t Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz shows how big data can provide scientific answers about which life choices lead to better outcomes. He argues that you should rely on data rather than your intuition. Keep reading to discover how numbers, not narratives or instincts, can help you make smarter choices.

The Role of Luck in Success: What Big Data Shows

A smiling woman in a bright yellow sweater holding a large four-leaf clover illustrates the role of luck in success

What role does luck play in achieving success? Can you strategically increase your chances of catching a lucky break? In his book Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz uses data analysis to explore the role of luck in success. He reveals that, while luck creates opportunities for everyone, those who succeed are the ones who consistently take advantage of these moments. Keep reading to discover how you can tip the odds in your favor by making choices that maximize your chances of success.

Data-Based Decision-Making Is Better Than Trusting Your Gut

A crossroads with one road sign pointing to "DATA" and the other pointing to "GUT" illustrates data-based decision-making

Is your intuition leading you astray? How can you make better life choices using hard data instead of gut feelings? In his book Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz reveals that data-based decision-making is far more reliable than human intuition. He explains how our minds are full of cognitive biases and how we’re easily misled by exceptional stories that we mistakenly believe represent the norm. Keep reading to discover how researchers are determining which choices actually lead to positive outcomes.

How to Choose a Sport (Hint: Don’t Trust Your Gut)

A boy holding a baseball bat illustrates how to choose a sport for you or your child

What athletic path will give your child the greatest chance of success? Which sports rely more on genetics, and which ones reward consistent practice and hard work? Choosing the right sport for your child involves weighing natural abilities against dedication and opportunity. In Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz reveals that diving, weightlifting, and horseback riding reward effort over natural talent, while other sports favor specific genetic traits. Keep reading to discover how to choose a sport that could lead to athletic scholarships and open doors to college education.

How to Be Successful in Love: The Math of “Happy Ever After”

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What actually makes relationships last? Is traditional dating advice steering you in the wrong direction? In his book Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz reveals surprising data about how to be successful in love. His research shows that conventional attractiveness has little impact on relationship longevity, and he shares what makes you four times more likely to find lasting love. Keep reading to discover what you can do to transform your romantic future.

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: Dating Data Can Boost Your Chances

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: Dating Data Can Boost Your Chances

Is finding the right partner online a numbers game? What factors truly matter in the dating marketplace? The book Don’t Trust Your Gut reveals fascinating data on what people look for in romantic partners. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz’s dating research shows that, while physical appearance plays a major role (especially for women), men’s dating success depends on various factors. Keep reading to learn how you can use data to improve your dating prospects and overcome biases in the online dating world.

The Reality of Entrepreneurship: How the Data Debunks the Myths

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What does it really take to build a successful business? Is the path to entrepreneurial wealth different from what popular media portrays? In Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz challenges common myths about entrepreneurship by examining hard data. The reality of entrepreneurship is less about young geniuses with overnight success and more about experienced professionals in their 40s who understand their industries deeply. Keep reading to discover which “boring” business fields produce the most wealth and why your age might be an advantage rather than a hindrance.

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: Happiness Data Helps Us Find Joy

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Can data science actually reveal what makes us happy? Have you been looking for joy in all the wrong places? According to Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, happiness data can lead you to find joy in your own life. In Don’t Trust Your Gut, he reveals that objective information from millions of people can map out which activities truly bring joy and which ones leave us miserable—challenging our intuitions about happiness. Keep reading to discover the science-backed path to a happier life.

When Parents’ Decision-Making Matters Most: 2 Pivotal Choices

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What truly impacts your child’s development? Which parenting decisions matter most for long-term success? In his book Don’t Trust Your Gut, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz contends that most day-to-day parenting decisions have minimal impact. He identifies two decisions in particular that, according to research, can dramatically affect how your children’s lives play out. Keep reading to discover when parents’ decision-making really matters, according to the data.