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I wouldn't give much stock in what Taleb writes about anything except options trading. Can you give a more specific reference to Novak et al.? I don't think th

by FabHK 8y ago

I wouldn't give much stock in what Taleb writes about anything except options trading. Can you give a more specific reference to Novak et al.? I don't think the "Selfish Gene" has been "debunked", and find no reference to Novak eg at Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene-centered_view_of_evolution#Criticisms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene-centered_view_of_evolutio...

oceanofsolaris 8y ago
I think this refers to Nowak et al and I assume refers to the discussion mentioned in the Wikipedia article of the book (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Selfish_Gene#Units_of_selection https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Selfish_Gene#Units_of_sele...).
holowire 8y ago
> I wouldn't give much stock in what Taleb writes about anything except options trading. Why do you say that? I’m broadly familiar with Taleb’s writing, but have yet to fully read any of his books. So I’m curious of your perspective here and what is informing that sentiment.
- tptacek 8y ago
  He's a gadfly, not a scientist writing to popularize a field he actually does work in. (With the plausible exception of options trading).
  - claytoneast 8y ago
    Do you think his central thesises around Black Swan events, tail risks, hedging, and skin-in-the-game principle for evaluating advice/statements, are not relevant to scopes beyond options trading? Note, I am not stating he is not a gadfly. He is, absolutely. But is he wrong?
    - tptacek 8y ago
      I'd take him about as seriously as I take Wikipedia. Sometimes useful. Follow links to sources, evaluate those.
  - AceyMan 8y ago
    Whether he's truly a gladly or not, you have to appreciate a guy who's self-aware enough about such opinions that he listed this quip first on the back cover of his latest book (from memory, mind you) — >The trouble with Taleb isn't that he's an asshole—he is an asshole. The trouble with Taleb is that he is right. Love that!

by FabHK 8y ago

oceanofsolaris 8y ago

I think this refers to Nowak et al and I assume refers to the discussion mentioned in the Wikipedia article of the book (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Selfish_Gene#Units_of_selection https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Selfish_Gene#Units_of_sele...).

holowire 8y ago

> I wouldn't give much stock in what Taleb writes about anything except options trading. Why do you say that? I’m broadly familiar with Taleb’s writing, but have yet to fully read any of his books. So I’m curious of your perspective here and what is informing that sentiment.

tptacek 8y ago
He's a gadfly, not a scientist writing to popularize a field he actually does work in. (With the plausible exception of options trading).
- claytoneast 8y ago
  Do you think his central thesises around Black Swan events, tail risks, hedging, and skin-in-the-game principle for evaluating advice/statements, are not relevant to scopes beyond options trading? Note, I am not stating he is not a gadfly. He is, absolutely. But is he wrong?
  - tptacek 8y ago
    I'd take him about as seriously as I take Wikipedia. Sometimes useful. Follow links to sources, evaluate those.
- AceyMan 8y ago
  Whether he's truly a gladly or not, you have to appreciate a guy who's self-aware enough about such opinions that he listed this quip first on the back cover of his latest book (from memory, mind you) — >The trouble with Taleb isn't that he's an asshole—he is an asshole. The trouble with Taleb is that he is right. Love that!