The Liberating Power of Probabilities: Embracing Life's Uncertainty

Have you ever found yourself paralyzed by the idea that everything in life is predetermined? Perhaps you believe that no matter what you do, the outcome will be the same, so what's the point in trying? If so, you're not alone. Many people fall into the trap of deterministic thinking, which can be incredibly discouraging and prevent us from taking action towards our goals.

The fear of failure can be crippling when it comes to exams and interviews. For me, it was not just the fear of falling short but the belief that the outcome was beyond my control, that held me back. I would often tell myself that if I was meant to do well, I would, and if not, there was no point in trying. This kind of deterministic thinking was particularly debilitating when it came to preparing for exams. I would spend hours contemplating whether it was even worth studying the material. This led to a deep sense of helplessness, as I felt that no matter how much effort I put in, the outcome would be the same. As a result, I became resigned to failure and lacked the motivation to work hard and improve my chances. But this mindset wasn't just limited to exams - it permeated other areas of my life, leaving me feeling discouraged and powerless.

In 2019, my father was diagnosed with cancer, and I found myself once again grappling with the idea of determinism. The possibility of losing him was terrifying, and I felt powerless in the face of what seemed like an inevitable outcome. But it was during this time of crisis that I saw the power of taking action. We were able to muster the courage to get to work arranging for the best oncologists and cancer centers in India. I think sometimes desperation has that effect on you. Over the next few years, he had to go through three surgeries, sessions of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and even a bout of COVID, but he continued to fight. Seeing his strength and resilience, I began to realize that our actions have the power to change the course of our lives and sometimes even beat death. The probabilities of going from one state to another are not predetermined, but rather influenced by our choices and actions.

This concept of probabilities and action is at the heart of the field of reinforcement learning, which is a branch of machine learning that focuses on teaching an agent to take actions that maximize its reward in a given environment. In a sense, we are all agents in our own lives, constantly making decisions and taking actions to navigate the complex environment around us. And just like in reinforcement learning, the outcomes of our actions are not predetermined, but rather depend on probabilities.

I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work to work alongside some of the most talented Data Scientists in the world, and I know that it is not just luck that has brought me here. I have worked hard and persevered, always keeping in mind the probabilistic nature of success. Even on the most challenging days, I have found the energy to continue practicing my coding skills and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in my field. I always told myself that while I cannot guarantee that I will always succeed, I can guarantee that I will always give my best effort.

By focusing on probabilities rather than determinism, you are giving yourself the chance to succeed through your hard work and dedication. Every action you take can lead you closer to your goals, and even if the outcome is uncertain, there is always a non-zero probability of success. So keep working hard, stay optimistic, and embrace the power of probabilities. Who knows what amazing opportunities may come your way as a result?