Gary N. Smith Bücher

Die Kontroverse um Hannah Arendts »Bericht von der Banalität des Bösen«, der 1963 die Diskussion um die Verantwortung des einzelnen während der Nazidiktatur zum Sieden brachte, ist in ihrer Schärfe ohne Beispiel - und sie ist, wie u. a. die sogenannte Goldhagen-Debatte zeigt, nicht weniger aktuell als damals. Indem die Autoren dieses Bandes die Ursachen dieser Kontroverse von verschiedenen Positionen aus nachzeichnen, geben sie zugleich ein intellektuelles Porträt einer der bedeutendsten Denkerinnen des 20. Jahrhunderts.

We underestimate the importance of luck in our lives. We think too highly of the golfer who wins the British Open and, if he loses the next tournament, we speculate that he slacked off. Although the winner is surely an excellent golfer, good luck in how the ball bounced and how it rolled afterwards outside of the golfer's control also played an important role. An insufficient appreciation of chance can wreak all kinds of mischief not only in sports, but also education, medicine, business, politics and elsewhere. Perfectly natural, random variation can lead us to attach meaning to the meaningless. Freakonomics showed how economic calculations can explain seemingly counter-intuitive decision-making. Thinking, Fast and Slow, helped readers identify a host of small cognitive errors that can lead to miscalculations and irrational thought. In What the Luck? statistician and author, Gary Smith, sets himself a similar goal, and explains - in clear, understandable, and witty prose - how a statistical understanding of luck can change the way we see just about every aspect of our lives.

Smith offers an engaging biography of one of the world's most inspiring, humorous, and provocative authors. He analyzes Mark Twain's constantly changing views of Christianity, humanity, the afterlife, and other theological topics, thereby providing a window into the spiritual crisis of the Gilded... číst celé

Marking the 50th anniversary of the historic Summit Series, this incredible story unfolds on an unlikely political stage: the hockey rink. Amid the Cold War and the looming threat of nuclear annihilation, young Canadian diplomat Gary J. Smith navigates the complexities between capitalism and communism as he attempts to foster friendships between Canada and the Soviet Union. On his first overseas assignment in Moscow during the early 1970s, Smith, trained in Russian and sent by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau under a détente policy, embraces sports diplomacy. He trades his embassy attire for the blue and white sweater of the Moscow Maple Leafs and embarks on a journey into Russian beer league hockey, armed with cases of Molson. Smith's encounters lead him into the intricate world of Soviet hockey, where he interacts with key figures, including the influential Izvestia journalist "The Snowman." This experience culminates in the groundbreaking decision for USSR "amateurs" to face Canadian professionals in an eight-game Friendship Series. With unique access to officials, coaches, and players, Smith witnesses this historic event that transcends sports, symbolizing unity. The narrative includes remarkable moments, such as a motorcycle ride with the Canadian prime minister around the Kremlin and a secret visit to a Soviet hospital by Phil Esposito. The 1972 Canadian-Soviet Hockey Series stands as a pivotal political event, res

"An analysis of Winston Churchill's enigmatic religious convictions, his use of biblical and religious rhetoric, and how his beliefs helped shape his objectives and policies"-- Provided by publisher

This book argues that our growing distrust of science is fuelled by tools scientists themselves created, as technological advances and developments in data analysis have led to disinformation, data torturing, and data mining. Smith examines these issues and offers solutions for restoring the credibility of the scientific community.

"The AI delusion demonstrates why we should not be intimidated into thinking that computers are infallible, that data-mining is knowledge discovery, or that black boxes should be trusted"--Back dust jacket.

Exploring the spectrum of human emotions, this collection of short stories delves into themes of profound loss, deep friendships, aging companionship with pets, the realities of war, and the complexities of romantic love. Each narrative invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and the essence of being human, suggesting that the impact of these stories may vary from person to person, much like all forms of art.