Inadequate Equilibria: Where and How Civilizations Get Stuck

When should you think that you may be able to do something unusually well? If you're trying to advance a scientific field — or start the next Facebook — or just get a really good deal buying cheap electronics from Hong Kong — then it's important that you have a sober understanding of your competencies, and the competencies of others. The story only ends there, however, if you're fortunate enough to live in an adequate civilization. Inadequate Equilibria is a sharp and lively guidebook for anyone questioning when and how they can know better, and do better, than the status quo. Freely mixing debates on the foundations of rational decision-making with tips for everyday life, Eliezer Yudkowsky explores the central question of when we can (and can't) expect to spot systemic inefficiencies and opportunities to "beat the market."