Skip to product information
1 of 1

Penguin Publishing Group

Overcomplicated

Overcomplicated

Regular price €16,00
Regular price €16,00 Sale price €16,00
VAT included
Sale SOLD OUT
Product Type:
Product Line:
Author:
Cover by:
9780143131304
ISBN:
9780143131304
Pages:
256
Language:

Release Date:
Jun 20, 2017

EXTERNAL STOCK. Will be dispatched in 3-4 weeks.

Reserve

Please log in to reserve products in reserved baskets.

Log in
View full details

Collapsible content

ABOUT

   Why did the New York Stock Exchange suspend trading without warning on July 8, 2015? Why did certain Toyota vehicles accelerate uncontrollably against the will of their drivers? Why does the programming inside our airplanes occasionally surprise its creators? 
   After a thorough analysis by the top experts, the answers still elude us. 
   You don’t understand the software running your car or your iPhone. But here’s a secret: neither do the geniuses at Apple or the Ph.D.’s at Toyota—not perfectly, anyway. No one, not lawyers, doctors, accountants, or policy makers, fully grasps the rules governing your tax return, your retirement account, or your hospital’s medical machinery. The same technological advances that have simplified our lives have made the systems governing our lives incomprehensible, unpredictable, and overcomplicated. 
   In Overcomplicated, complexity scientist Samuel Arbesman offers a fresh, insightful field guide to living with complex technologies that defy human comprehension. As technology grows more complex, Arbesman argues, its behavior mimics the vagaries of the natural world more than it conforms to a mathematical model. If we are to survive and thrive in this new age, we must abandon our need for governing principles and rules and accept the chaos. By embracing and observing the freak accidents and flukes that disrupt our lives, we can gain valuable clues about how our algorithms really work. What’s more, we will become better thinkers, scientists, and innovators as a result. 
   Lucid and energizing, this book is a vital new analysis of the world heralded as "modern" for anyone who wants to live wisely.

STANDARD, PRIMARY, DM AND VARIANT COVERS

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

PRODUCT TYPES

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

  • Large, hardcover collections
  • Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
  • Typically 800-1000+ pages
  • Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

  • Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
  • Collect shorter runs or story arcs
  • Usually 300-600 pages
  • Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

  • Standard-sized hardcover books
  • Collect 6-12 issues typically
  • Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
  • Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

  • Softcover collections
  • Standard comic book size
  • Usually collect 4-6 issues
  • Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

  • Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
  • Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
  • Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs