Nicholas Taleb, gadfly author of The Black Swan, gives his 10 rules for surviving an unpredictable world with dignity."
1 Scepticism is effortful and costly. It is better to be sceptical about matters of large consequences, and be imperfect, foolish and human in the small and the aesthetic.
2 Go to parties. You can’t even start to know what you may find on the envelope of serendipity. If you suffer from agoraphobia, send colleagues.
3 It’s not a good idea to take a forecast from someone wearing a tie. If possible, tease people who take themselves and their knowledge too seriously.
Peacenik is starting to get freaked out by Punditman's doomsday posts fluffed up with bits of feel good optimism. If Punditman keeps this up, Peacenik is going to jump out of his basement apartment window. Peacenik can't take much more. However Peacenik came across some simple rules for surviving. Surviving everyday life. Surviving going to work every day. And surviving Punditman turning into a doomer. Nassim Taleb is the author of the Black Swan. A Black Swan is a major event that comes as a complete suprise. Sort of like the global financial meltdown. September 11 was a Black Swan event. Tonight Peacenik will follow rule 2, inspite of mild agoraphobia. Peacenik will face Punditman. Face to Face. And Peacenik will survive.
