The Unbearable Lightness of Nassim Taleb —A Response To Taleb’s 10 Item List

Finally I’ve found a good critic of  Nassim Taleb, his name is Charles Davi Of The Atlantic Monthly. Davi writes an interesting article titled “The Unbearable Lightness Of Nassim Taleb”. So, in the spirit of intellectual debate I present you with this counterpoint to Taleb’s 10 principles for a black swan proof world.

Click Here To Read A Criticism Of Nassim Taleb’s 10 Principles for a black swan proof world

Article Introduction (Via Derivative Dribble & Atlantic Monthly)

As Conor notes, Nassim Taleb offered up some less than sage advice in a recent “article” in the Financial Times. The article, which takes the form of a talismanic list, was crafted in order to the deliver humanity from its suffering by pointing our mind’s eye towards the failures of our regulatory dogma. Wielding powerful metaphors such as “Make an omelette with the broken eggs,” Taleb fails to meet even the lowest of standard for a statement on regulatory policy. “Counter-balance complexity with simplicity” might be an acceptable policy position for Deepak Chopra. But it is certainly unacceptable for an economist.

Article Excerpts (Via Derivative Dribble & Atlantic Monthly)

1. Looking beyond Taleb’s absurd delivery, the substance of his policies is, in large part, absent, and where present, addresses the real issues at play in a superficial and borderline whimsical fashion.

2. It is unclear whether this is the product of haste, or the product of a complete lack of command over the issues and concepts.

3. To say that only Ponzi schemes depend on confidence — they don’t, since they’re the product of fraud and misrepresentation — is factually incorrect and suggests intellectual laziness.

Click Here To Read A Criticism Of Nassim Taleb’s 10 Principles for a black swan proof world