Guy Spier interviews David Sumpter about various applications of mathematics in practical areas of our day-to-day life
March 25, 2022

David Sumpter is a professor of applied mathematics at the University of Uppsala, in Sweden, and the author of a wonderful book called The 10 equations that Rule the World.

He talks to Guy Spier about the various applications of mathematics in practical areas of our day-to-day life, such as social media algorithms, graph theory, Bayes’ theorem, and even vaccinations.

Full transcript available here: https://aqfd.docsend.com/view/8sw5qidsc44bzkr2

Contents:

(00:00) Pure Mathematics vs. Applied Mathematics 

(10:39) Graph Theory and its Applications

(17:11) The Advertising Equation in Social Media 

(20:11) Taking Control of the Algorithms that Control Us 

(25:02) “Fluffy Science” vs. Empirical Studies 

(32:22) From the Kelly Criterion to Bayes’ Theorem 

(41:55) Mathematics Behind Vaccination Hesitancy 

I’m a Zurich based investor. Since 1997, I’ve managed a privately offered investment fund known as the Aquamarine Fund.

I am also the author of a book titled The Education of a Value Investor, which was published in 2014.

As I wrote in my book, we are all a work in progress. This site documents my ongoing quest for “wealth, wisdom and enlightenment”.

I have created a /now page – inspired by Derek Sivers

I’m a Zurich based investor. Since 1997, I’ve managed a privately offered investment fund known as the Aquamarine Fund.

I am also the author of a book titled The Education of a Value Investor, which was published in 2014.

As I wrote in my book, we are all a work in progress. This site documents my ongoing quest for “wealth, wisdom and enlightenment”.

I have created a /now page – inspired by Derek Sivers