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Fluke

Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters

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Fluke

By: Dr Brian Klaas
Narrated by: Dr Brian Klaas
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About this listen

Why small chance events can divert our lives and change how we think our world works.

If you could rewind your life to the very beginning and then press play, would everything turn out the same?

Or could making an accidental phone call or missing an exit off the highway change not just your life, but history itself?

And would you remain blind to the radically different possible world you unknowingly left behind?

In Fluke, myth-shattering social scientist Brian Klaas dives deeply into the phenomenon of random chance and the chaos it can sow, taking aim at most people's neat and tidy storybook version of reality. The book's argument is that we willfully ignore a bewildering truth: but for a few small changes, our lives - and our societies - could be radically different.

Offering an entirely new lens, Fluke explores how our world really works, driven by strange interactions and apparently random events. How did one couple's vacation cause 100,000 people to die? Does our decision to hit the snooze button in the morning radically alter the trajectory of our lives? And has the evolution of humans been inevitable, or are we simply the product of a series of freak accidents?

Drawing on social science, chaos theory, history, evolutionary biology, and philosophy, Klaas provides a brilliantly fresh look at why things happen - all while providing mind-bending lessons on how we can live smarter, be happier, and lead more fulfilling lives.

©2024 Brian Klaas (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Biological Sciences Physics Thought-Provoking Inspiring
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Critic reviews

Consistently gripping - dazzling in its sweep and thrillingly brain-twisting in its argument (Tom Holland, author of RUBICON and PERSIAN FIRE)
Drawing on many disciplines, this fascinating book explores the combination of chaos and order that governs our lives and probes the deep question of whether we truly have free will (Mervyn King, co-author of RADICAL UNCERTAINTY and former Governor of the Bank of England)
A brilliant meditation on the eternal clash between chaos and order, and determinism and freedom. Klaas grapples with some of the most difficult, mind-bending questions of our time - or any time - [and] makes these heady topics a blast to read (Scott Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of CHAOS KINGS and THE QUANTS)

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a mind bending journey into the why of almost everything.

if you've ever wondered whether "everything happens for reason" this book is for you. it'll bend you understanding of the world, make you confused, then less confused then you'll wonder if your confusion is all part of a bigger plan... or is it? a great listen. thought provoking and thoroughly interesting.

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couldn’t turn of….

this was so interesting, thoughtful, and provoking…. we are all significant now a great story of our beautiful universe.

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incredibly interesting

Not exactly an easy/relaxing listen, but very thought provoking. I did not expect it, but it deffinitely had n impact on cementing my word view.

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easy to follow

Good book very clear teaching it gives a good understanding of the subject and aas well read also

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Brilliant

I admit, it might be my own confirmation biases, but I absolutely loved every word. I was hooked on the author's other book, Corruptible, so I had to preorder this one. And I'm so glad I did. The fact that the author himself was reading it into my ears was a delight on itself. Definitely an A+ book and interpretation.

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Some really insightful perspectives on the true nature of things

Overall a really well tied together piece of work illuminated by some great and relevant stories. The narration is spot on from the author. Highly recommended.

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Fascinating explanation of why everything we do matters.

I enjoyed the stories of past flukes, and the interconnected nature of the world. The science was interesting, and at a level that was not difficult to understand. Brian’s voice is nice to listen to, and as a Brit I found only a couple of Americanisms, so the flow was largely uninterrupted. Would (and have) recommend this to others.

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Thoughtful and considered read

This book presents many interesting ideas in simple to understand manner, whilst also being entertaining at the same time. Definitely worth a listen.

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Best book ive ever listened to!

This book has me viewing life in a completely different way, so refeshing to hear someone talk about accepting how little control we have over our lives rather than the usual about ‘taking control of our lives’

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Very good but fizzled out a bit towards the end

Overall I enjoyed this. It was well read which, when done by the author, always makes it better. It started very good, fascinating insights and put in simpler terms. The last couple of chapters began to drag however and felt like they could have been merged or culled. But overall, recommend.

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