Andi Ashari

To most, software engineering appears to be about constructing digital realms and crafting intricate codes. However, at its core, it's about understanding patterns and detecting inconsistencies. The fascinating parallel is that the same methodical approach software engineers use to uncover flaws in code can be applied to detect untruths in human interactions.

Spotting Anomalies: The Art of Detecting Liars

In software, anomalies (often called 'bugs') can disrupt the desired flow of an application. These anomalies might be a result of incorrect data, logic errors, or unexpected user actions. Engineers detect these bugs by examining where the program's behavior diverges from the expected pattern.

Similarly, when a person is not being truthful, there might be anomalies in their story. Inconsistencies can arise in the form of contradictory statements, physical signs of discomfort, or information that doesn’t match with known facts.

Thinking in terms of data and patterns, if someone frequently changes their story, it could be seen as an inconsistent data pattern. If their body language doesn't match their words (e.g., saying "I'm confident" while looking away or fidgeting), this might be viewed as a divergence from the expected behavior pattern.

Thinking Algorithmically

Engineers, particularly those in software, are trained to think algorithmically. An algorithm is simply a step-by-step set of operations to perform a specific task. Breaking problems down into smaller parts and addressing each part systematically is the heart of algorithmic thinking.

Input: Recognize the Data

Before processing can begin, it's crucial for an engineer to recognize and understand the input data. Similarly, in human interactions, our inputs come from various sources:

• Verbal Communication: This is the primary way humans convey information. For instance, when someone narrates an event, the words chosen, the sequence of the story, and the emphasis on particular details act as input data.

• Non-verbal Cues: Body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and even pauses in speech can provide a wealth of information. An engineer might liken this to metadata - data about the data. For instance, someone saying they're happy while their tone is flat and their face remains expressionless might indicate conflicting data.

• Context: Background information often plays a crucial role in understanding a situation or story. If someone talks about snow and you know they're in the Sahara Desert, there's a mismatch. Similarly, an engineer needs to know the context in which a program will run to anticipate potential issues.

• Historical Data: Past experiences and interactions serve as a reference point. In software, this could be likened to logs or previously stored data. If a friend who has always been punctual says they're running late, you might be more inclined to believe them based on your past interactions.

• External Data Sources: Sometimes, we rely on other sources to validate or supplement what we've been told. In the digital world, this might equate to APIs or external databases. For humans, it might be checking a fact someone told us by asking another friend or searching online.

Process: Analyze the Patterns

After gathering and understanding the data, the next step in the algorithmic process is to analyze it. Spotting patterns and drawing insights is crucial both in engineering and human interactions. Here's how we break down the pattern analysis:

• Sequential Analysis: Much like reading lines of code in the order they appear, humans often analyze stories or events in a sequential manner. This means checking if one event logically follows the previous one. For example, if someone says they lit a fire and then collected firewood, the sequence is off, indicating a potential inconsistency.

• Comparison to Known Patterns: Engineers often compare data against known patterns or templates. In human interactions, this means matching someone's story or behavior against our past experiences or common knowledge. If someone says they saw a penguin in the wild while vacationing in Hawaii, it doesn't align with known patterns, as penguins are not native to Hawaii.

• Frequency Analysis: In software, observing how often a particular event occurs can be insightful. Similarly, in human interactions, if someone often brings up an alibi without being asked, the frequency of this behavior might raise suspicion.

• Correlation Analysis: Engineers sometimes need to identify if two or more variables move in tandem. In human relationships, this could mean observing if someone's emotions correlate with their stories. Someone expressing sadness while sharing a happy event might show a lack of correlation, signaling a potential anomaly.

• Exception Handling: In software, there's often code specifically designed to handle exceptions or unexpected inputs. Humans do this too. When presented with a piece of information that doesn't fit our current understanding, we might ask clarifying questions or seek additional data to make sense of the anomaly.

• Loop Analysis: In algorithms, loops are used to perform repeated actions. Similarly, humans might revisit specific points in a story or conversation, either mentally or by re-asking, to ensure consistency or clarify doubts. If the story changes with each iteration, it might be a red flag.

• Conditional Checks: Just as code might have 'if' conditions to determine outcomes, humans set mental conditions when analyzing information. If Condition A and Condition B are met, then it's likely the person is telling the truth. However, if Condition C arises, further verification might be needed.

Output: Make a Decision

Once data has been comprehensively processed and patterns analyzed, an algorithm will generate an output. For humans, this equates to making a decision or forming an opinion based on the information at hand. Here's how we can dissect this process:

• Direct Outcome: Often, the analysis leads to an immediate and clear conclusion. Just as a calculator gives an instant result for a mathematical operation, humans might instantly believe or disbelieve a story based on clear-cut evidence. For example, a person might be deemed trustworthy if their story aligns perfectly with known facts.

• Conditional Outcome: Sometimes, the decision is contingent upon certain conditions. In software, this is akin to conditional statements (**if**, **else**). For humans, this might look like: "If they provide evidence for their claim, I'll believe them; otherwise, I won't."

• Deferred Decision: There are situations where immediate decisions aren't feasible. Engineers might set processes to run in the background or schedule them for later. Similarly, humans might choose to "sleep on it" or take more time to reflect before arriving at a conclusion.

• Seeking External Validation: At times, an algorithm might rely on external systems or APIs for final outputs. In human decision-making, this translates to seeking advice or opinions from friends, family, or experts before making up our mind.

• Feedback Loop: An essential aspect of many algorithms is the feedback loop, where the output is used to refine and improve the process. Similarly, once humans make a decision, they might use the outcomes of that decision (like the consequences of trusting or mistrusting someone) to inform future judgments.

• Fallback Mechanisms: In software, there are often fallback measures in place in case the primary process fails. Humans have a similar approach. If someone is unsure about a story, they might fall back to their gut feeling or intuition, especially when concrete evidence is lacking.

• Iterative Decision: Sometimes, one decision leads to another. Engineers encounter this when one function's output is the input for another. Humans experience this too. For instance, upon deciding to trust someone's story, a person might then decide to take further action based on that trust, such as investing in a venture or offering help.

Whether we're debugging software or determining the truthfulness of a statement, the underlying principles are surprisingly similar. Engineers and humans in general are attuned to patterns and behaviors. Anomalies in these patterns, be it in code or conversation, raise flags that demand closer inspection. By thinking algorithmically, we can better understand not only the machines we build but also the very human interactions we engage in every day.