When someone says about a paper “there is nothing deep or new”, it means that 1) it is deep, 2) it is new, & more importantly 3) it is right. When there is nothing deep or new people say nothing.

via When someone says about a paper “there… – Nassim Nicholas Taleb | Facebook.

Why I find it unethical to cite books you haven’t read that you see mentioned in other books. This is an example from the Dobelli case but it is general. I spent 2 years reading books and papers on the history of medicine, taking notes. Then cited the author. About 60 hours of work for 1 citation. Dobelli mentions my argument, cuts/pastes the citation from my text, then cites him separately (in a discussion that is overall exposition of my argument). The argument would be “it is not your text, but Burch”. It is. The work of a researcher should be respected.

(Note that I kept reading until “saturation” of finding same points shared by many authors, then stopped” The only ambiguous point is what is found on Wikipedia: does one cite Wikipedia? What if the page changes?

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Think on this Friday morning of sad situation of the person who sent 400 resumés and looking at the iphone in a state of helplessness. There are millions of them facing the anxiety of unemployment over the weekend. Now think of the even sadder situation that should they get a job, it will be taken from someone else.

Now think of someone creating a job for him/herself. Odds are that not only he may have solved his own unemployment problem, but also created a job -and some happiness- for someone else.

via Think on this Friday morning of sad… – Nassim Nicholas Taleb | Facebook.

Friends, I remember from my childhood an account that lotteries used to be two-way: You can win (say 10 heads of cattle), or can lose (and become a slave). Anyone familiar with the idea? It is very relevant to the skin-in-the-game idea. Anyone has references?

via Friends, I remember from my childhood an… – Nassim Nicholas Taleb | Facebook.