We are victims of the post-Enlightenment view that the world functions like a sophisticated machine, to be understood like a textbook engineering problem and run by wonks. In other words, like a home appliance, not like the human body. Nassim Nicholas Taleb appliancebodyengineer share on social
In the United States, large corporations control some members of Congress. All this does is delay the corporation's funeral at our expense. Nassim Nicholas Taleb congresscontrolcorporation Change image and share on social
The Internet allows the small guy a global marketplace. But technology is harmful in the sense that we get too much information from it. Because of the web we get 10 times the amount of noise we ever got, which makes harmful fallacies far more likely. Nassim Nicholas Taleb amountfallacyglobal share on social
I lift heavy weights and sprint, but I am so bad at it that I develop severe injuries. Nassim Nicholas Taleb baddevelopheavy Change image and share on social
If you are an Arabic-speaking, Greek-Orthodox going to a French school it makes you deeply sceptical if you have to listen to three different accounts of the Crusades - one from the Muslim side, one from the Greek side and one from the Catholic side. Nassim Nicholas Taleb accountarabiccatholic share on social
For many people, commuting is the worst part of the day, and policies that can make commuting shorter and more convenient would be a straightforward way to reduce minor but widespread suffering. Nassim Nicholas Taleb badcommuteconvenient Change image and share on social
I am happy everywhere except in places where I see glitz and rich farts. I am happiest in Brooklyn, where the concentration of rich farts is minimal. Nassim Nicholas Taleb brooklynconcentrationfart Change image and share on social
In social policy, when we provide a safety net, it should be designed to help people take more entrepreneurial risks, not to turn them into dependents. This doesn't mean that we should be callous to the underprivileged. Nassim Nicholas Taleb callousdependentdesign share on social
The next time you experience a blackout, take some solace by looking at the sky. You will not recognize it. Nassim Nicholas Taleb blackoutexperiencerecognize Change image and share on social
If you are in banking and lending, surprise outcomes are likely to be negative for you. Nassim Nicholas Taleb banklendnegative Change image and share on social
