[pythko]

Econtalk had a recent episode [0] that discusses this problem and the limitations when applied to real life. There's also a transcript [1] for those who prefer reading.

I found the discussion (and the entire episode) to be a nice reflection on how applying rules/logic/algorithms to big, deeply human problems doesn't always work. While the secretary problem is a fascinating and unintuitive mathematical result, as many other commenters have pointed out, it just doesn't have that many strict uses in people's real lives, outside of the general idea of "try a few of X to get the idea of the field, then pick one".

[0] https://www.econtalk.org/russ-roberts-and-mike-munger-on-wil...

[1] https://www.econtalk.org/russ-roberts-and-mike-munger-on-wil...

[Balgair]

I'll sheepishly admit I'm so low on time that I can't listen to Econtalk as much as I'd like these days.

Knowing Munger, I'll assume they talked about the heuristic's application in automated systems and it's prefect application there?

Also, dear HN reader, if you don't listen to EconTalk already, you're missing out on one the best podcasts out there.

[shaftoe444]

This was a great episode, I came here to post it but you beat me. Have ordered the book which is published a bit later in the UK but I'm looking forward to reading.