Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I think I should read a paper copy, as the audio book got a bit too complicated to follow at times.
informative
medium-paced
Some interesting ideas, but the book lacked an overall organizational scheme. The attempts at humor didn't sit right with me either. I did finish it, but I had wanted to read it for a long time, so I'm attributing the fact that I finished it to that and force of will.
Much has been written about this book and perhaps enough has been said. So nothing to add here.
I think most of my thoughts on this book are encapsulated by Aaron's review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/20542896?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1
Anyway, I hate the insufferable author of this book and I hate myself more to, in the end, having to agree that his central idea is wrong.
The book is drag, filled with name-dropping anecdotes, arrogant displays of humility, and sometimes a narrative bit that tells me that NNT would be more interesting if he decided to write straight-up fiction.
I wish a better author had written about the central idea of uncertainty he exposes here. Someone that wouldn't fall for the narrative fallacy that he himself exposes as a central source of errors humans make and make very shallow political conclusions and analysis.
But he is on the spot about the crucial failure about modeling and forecasting in the realm of black swans (the fourth quadrant, or extremistan, or one of the other terms he keeps making up so he can't go on for more than two pages without forging a new concept that was already previously named). The wake up call for a sort of skepticism that actively and effortfully makes us question predictions and our knowledge of probability is so important that despite hating the experience of reading this book, I have to admit that it changed me.
Anyway, I hate the insufferable author of this book and I hate myself more to, in the end, having to agree that his central idea is wrong.
The book is drag, filled with name-dropping anecdotes, arrogant displays of humility, and sometimes a narrative bit that tells me that NNT would be more interesting if he decided to write straight-up fiction.
I wish a better author had written about the central idea of uncertainty he exposes here. Someone that wouldn't fall for the narrative fallacy that he himself exposes as a central source of errors humans make and make very shallow political conclusions and analysis.
But he is on the spot about the crucial failure about modeling and forecasting in the realm of black swans (the fourth quadrant, or extremistan, or one of the other terms he keeps making up so he can't go on for more than two pages without forging a new concept that was already previously named). The wake up call for a sort of skepticism that actively and effortfully makes us question predictions and our knowledge of probability is so important that despite hating the experience of reading this book, I have to admit that it changed me.
Couldn't get through it the first few times I tried reading it (due to the author's meandering style), but this time it's riveting. It's a good combination of psychology, math, and societal commentary. The author comes across as confident, and likes being a contrarian. He spoke eloquently about the pain of having his theories ignored by society, and living on his own hopes rather than societal validation. He writes pretty honestly.
He may be very repetitive and one of the haughtiest authors I've read from in a while. But, Taleb challenged my views of uncertainty, which I can appreciate.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Premise is very good. Unfortunately with the sweeping, unsupported statements insulting just about everyone, and an author who doesn't come across as very likeable, I can't recommend reading the whole thing. Read the intro, skim the middle, read the conclusion.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced