Interviewed on Oprah (subscription required). And yes, his latest book is
Comments by SFI researchers are here.
Best part of the interview is where Cormac lectures on probability: “The laws of probability operate everywhere. That being the case, somewhere in the world there is the luckiest person.” Yes, isn’t the luckiest man’s name Rosencrantz?
[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are riding horses down a path – they pause]
Rosencrantz: [to Guildenstern] Umm, uh…
[Guildenstern rides away, and Rosencrantz follows. Rosencrantz spots a gold coin on the ground]
Rosencrantz: [to horse] Whoa – whoa, whoa.
[Gets off horse and starts flipping the coin]
Rosencrantz: Hmmm. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads.
[Guildenstern grabs the coin, checks both sides, then tosses it back to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Heads.
[Guildenstern pulls a coin out of his own pocket and flips it]
Rosencrantz: Bet? Heads I win?
[Guildenstern looks at coin and tosses it to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Again? Heads.
You do remember what happens to Rosencrantz, right?
I’m reminded of what Solon said to King Croesus: never count a man lucky until he’s dead.
Rosencrantz: I say – that was lucky.
Guildenstern: What?
Rosencrantz: It was tails.