Questions About Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (4)

Does this book ever settle down? I tried to read this a while ago, but couldn't get over the long intro of name-calling and the generally pugnacious tone. Maybe some things are "antifragile," but I don't want to read 500 pages of him trying to conceal the brittleness of his own ego.

Chris A I don't think so... it'll be a struggle to finish this one. Taleb is intelligent, but not nearly as intelligent as he seems to think he is. If it's an…moreI don't think so... it'll be a struggle to finish this one. Taleb is intelligent, but not nearly as intelligent as he seems to think he is. If it's any consolation to him, he IS as arrogant as he thinks he is intelligent.(less)

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Is this not an extremely clunky way to describe mindfulness? I don't get how the premise (haven't read) differs from this age old concept besides having new title. You avoid stress, you become less resilient. You endure stress, and you become more resilient. You respond to stress, you add significance to it. You acknowledge stress without responding, and you reduce its significance. Does that about sum it up?

Petko Bossakov What you described is only a specific case of "antifragility" in human beings. The author has invented a much more generic concept here: the fragile <…moreWhat you described is only a specific case of "antifragility" in human beings. The author has invented a much more generic concept here: the fragile <-> antifragile continuum can be applied to non-living objects and abstract things too (e.g. ideas and works of art can sometimes be "antifragile": when they are under attack, the controversy only makes them more popular).(less)

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Not a question; just a recommendation. It seems it would be a good idea to read NNT's Black Swan book as a prerequisite for AF. ?

Yannis I read AF first with no issues - however, I watched a couple of Black Swan youtube lectures by NNT beforehand

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how do I take part on group discussions about this book?

Beani There's a reddit group r/Antifragile, you can probably post your thoughts there.…moreThere's a reddit group r/Antifragile, you can probably post your thoughts there.(less)

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