Skin in the Game
Skin in the Game is my first proper book of Nassim Taleb. I have seen him being notorious on Twitter for his fights and blocks. I have heard him in a couple of podcasts and have read a short book, Bed of Procrustes, a chuckle-worthy collection of aphorisms and quirky writing.
I am no fan of Taleb and also not a hater of him. Since I haven’t read his works fully, no point in being one extreme. But things have changed since I started reading SITG (Skin in the Game).
I started reading it because of a very high recommendation from a colleague. I have always known him as a polarizing figure. People I follow in Goodreads either love this book or hate this book. If someone evokes such a response, that is enough for me to kindle interest in this. So I started reading and finding it as a slog to complete it. I want to have Taleb in very small doses over this week, instead of usual gorging in a weekend.
Taleb is refreshing but tedious at some times, sweepingly-generalizing but terrific at many places. His punches at many of his enemies are rip-roaringly hilarious, even though it lacks civility (by who cares about civility these days).
I have completed only 6 chapters of his book (SITG), but I definitely read to know more about what he says and what he really means. His observations on the common people’s commitment to work whereas the people at higher level goes scot-free are definitely worth it.
I am still not a fan of him but I don’t hate him either.
What is your opinion about Nassim Nicholas Taleb? Do you have any stories to share?