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Maria Konnikova

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Maria Konnikova
Maria_Konnikova_in_2013.jpg
Born1984 (age 39–40)
Moscow, Soviet Union
OccupationAuthor
NationalityAmerican
EducationHarvard University (BA)
Columbia University (PhD)
Genre
Notable worksThe Biggest Bluff
Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes
The Confidence Game[1]
Scientific career
ThesisThe Limits of Self-Control: Self-Control, Illusory Control, and Risky Financial Decision Making (2013)
Doctoral advisorWalter Mischel
Website
www.mariakonnikova.com

Maria Konnikova (born 1984) is a Russian-American writer. Konnikova has worked as a television producer, poker player, podcaster and written three New York Times best-seller list books, including Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes.[2]

Biography

Early life and education

Maria Konnikova was born in Moscow, Russia, to Jewish parents.[3] She was four years old when her family emigrated to the United States and settled in the state of Massachusetts.[4]

Konnikova attended Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Massachusetts.[5][better source needed] After graduating from high school, Konnikova attended Harvard University, where she graduated with a B.A. in psychology and creative writing. While at Harvard, Konnikova was mentored by Steven Pinker.[6]

She earned her Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University in 2013,[7] under Walter Mischel.[4]

Writing and media

Following her B.A., Konnikova worked as a producer for the Charlie Rose Show, where she helped set up the segment "Brain Series".[4][8] She also wrote the "Literally Psyched" column for Scientific American[9] and the psychology blog "Artful Choice" for Big Think.[10][11] In April 2013, her article on uncertainty in decision making was published in The New Yorker,[12] where she continues to contribute.[13][14]

Konnikova at the IdeaFestival (2013)

Konnikova's first book Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes nominated for an Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for Best Non-fiction in 2013.[15][13] Her book, The Confidence Game, was published in 2016 and appeared on the New York TImes' Crime and Punishment best seller list.[16] Her third book, The Biggest Bluff, in 2020, follows her active participation into the world of poker.[17]

Konnikova makes regular appearances on The Gist podcast in her own segment, "Is that bullshit?" In early 2017, she published a 10-part podcast about con-artists and the lives they ruin, called The Grift.[18]

Poker career

Konnikova's interest in poker was piqued when she encountered John von Neumann's game theory. She saw poker as a dynamic way to explore the intricate interplay of skill and chance within the human psyche. She clarified in an interview with The New York Times that her motivation was not rooted in gambling but rather in understanding the psychological aspects of the game.[19]

In the latter part of 2016, Konnikova established contact with Erik Seidel, a seasoned poker professional, who took on the role of her mentor and coach as she embarked on a year-long journey to immerse herself in the world of competitive poker.[20]

Konnikova made her debut on a significant poker stage at the 2017 PokerStars tournament held in Monte Carlo.[21] Notably, in January 2018, she achieved a triumphant feat by securing victory at the PCA National event during the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure No-Limit Hold'em Championship, which resulted in a substantial cash prize of $84,600.[22] This accomplishment was further elevated by her being awarded a valuable Platinum Pass worth $30,000, granting her entry into the PokerStars Players Championship in January 2019. Her accumulated winnings prior to this remarkable win amounted to approximately $30,000.[21]

After that 2018 win, Konnikova decided to delay work on her book, The Biggest Bluff, to compete in more tournaments with higher stakes.[20] She took up professional poker playing full-time. From June 2018 to November 2019, she partnered with PokerStars, who sponsored her in professional tournaments.[17]

Awards

"Confidence Games" CSICon 2016

Selected bibliography

  • Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes, Viking, 3 January 2013, ISBN 978-0670026579
  • The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time, Viking, 12 January 2016, ISBN 978-0525427414
  • The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win, Penguin Press, 23 June 2020, ISBN 978-0525522621

References

  1. ^ a b "Maria Konnikova Wins Critical Thinking Prize from CSI for "The Confidence Game"". CSICOP.ORG. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Maria Konnikova". The New Yorker. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  3. ^ Konnikova, Maria (9 August 2014). Maria Konnikova:TEDxColumbiaCollege. youtube.com. TEDx. Event occurs at 0:00 to 1:30. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Fong, Joss (10 January 2013). "It's Elementary". The Scientist. LabX Media Group. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  5. ^ Maria Konnikova (7 January 2014). "The Open-Office Trap". The New Yorker. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Alumni Profile: Maria Konnikova". soundcloud.com. Columbia University. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  7. ^ Konnikova, Maria (2013). The Limits of Self-Control: Self-Control, Illusory Control, and Risky Financial Decision Making. Columbia University (Thesis). doi:10.7916/D8QR54B5. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  8. ^ Maria Konnikova. charlierose.com. 24 February 2016. Event occurs at 0:00 to 3:00. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Stories by Maria Konnikova". scientificamerican.com. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Maria Konnikova". bigthink.com. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Book Brahmin: Maria Konnikova". Shelf Awareness. 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Why we need answers". The New Yorker. 30 April 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b "The Confidence Game - The Power (and Price) of Stories with Maria Konnikova AB '05'05". Harvard University. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Maria Konnikova". The New Yorker. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  15. ^ Christian DuChateau (11 January 2013). "Become a 'Mastermind' with Sherlock Holmes' help". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Crime and Punishment Books - Best Sellers - February 14, 2016 - The New York Times". web.archive.org. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  17. ^ a b Newell, Jennifer (26 November 2019). "Maria Konnikova Finishes Poker Book and Leaves PokerStars". www.legaluspokersites.com. Retrieved 28 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "The Grift". panoply.fm. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  19. ^ Dreifus, Claudia (10 August 2018). "Maria Konnikova Shows Her Cards". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ a b Nuwwarah, Mo. "Konnikova Changes Plans, Delays Book After Incredible Poker Success". PokerNews.com. PokerNews. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  21. ^ Lamers, Adam (9 January 2018). "Friend of PokerStars Maria Konnikova Wins PCA Nat'l Championship". www.pokernews.com. Retrieved 28 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2017". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Excellence in Science Journalism Award | SPSP". spsp.org. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
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