Ideas worth spreading

I let algorithms randomize my life for two years

1,715,280 views |

Max Hawkins |

TEDxVienna

• October 2017

What if everything in your life was randomized: from the food you ate to the things you did and the places you traveled? Computer scientist Max Hawkins created algorithms to make decisions like these for him -- and got hooked on the experience for two years. He shares how relinquishing choice sent him across the world and opened him up to the beautiful complexity and richness of life. It makes you wonder: What lies just outside your comfort zone?

What if everything in your life was randomized: from the food you ate to the things you did and the places you traveled? Computer scientist Max Hawkins created algorithms to make decisions like these for him -- and got hooked on the experience for two years. He shares how relinquishing choice sent him across the world and opened him up to the beautiful complexity and richness of life. It makes you wonder: What lies just outside your comfort zone?

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxVienna, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

Max Hawkins

Artist and computer scientist

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Since 2015, computer programs Max Hawkins wrote have been giving him randomly generated instructions on how to live his life.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxVienna, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.