Robberies Quote by Brian Christian
““the number of robberies you should carry out is roughly equal to the chance you get away, divided by the chance you get caught.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Algorithms to Live By, Brian Christian & Tom Griffiths, 2016
The quote humorously suggests balancing risk and reward by attempting actions proportionally to success odds.
In simple terms: Do as many risky acts as your chance of success allows.
Key Takeaway
Match risk to success probability.
Themes
risk management
probability
decision making
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advice
analytical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- gambling
- law enforcement
- personal risk taking
Key Concepts
expected value
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess real odds of success?
- When is it ethical to take risks?
A Different Perspective
Assumes accurate probability estimates, which are often unavailable.
