10 Questions for Nassim Taleb

The Black Swan author's latest, The Bed of Procrustes , is a book of aphorisms. Nassim Taleb will now take your questions

By Nassim Taleb Monday, Dec. 13, 2010
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    I think there's a bigger contrast within Europe than between the U.S. and Europe. The countries in Southern Europe were very conservative, really grounded in tradition, but they stopped going to church and started engaging in debt.

    What problems are you interested in right now?

    Kenny Smith, BOSTON

    Figuring out antifragility, defining it. But another problem that comes with it is, Why is it that we humans denigrate the system's ability to correct itself? We act as if we are necessary. We always tend to think we're smarter than nature.

    Besides attending parties and visiting bookstores, how do you escape the noise of the media?

    Marko Acosta, SÃO PAULO

    I take very long walks. Find someone argumentative and take a walk with them. It definitely would be distracting enough, particularly if the person is irritable.

    VIDEO AT TIME.COM

    To watch interviews with Nassim Taleb and other newsmakers, go to time.com/10questions

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