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The Bed of Procrustes

Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms

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The Bed of Procrustes

By: Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Narrated by: Sean Pratt
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About this listen

By the author of the modern classic The Black Swan, this collection of aphorisms and meditations expresses his major ideas in ways you least expect.

The Bed of Procrustes takes its title from Greek mythology: the story of a man who made his visitors fit his bed to perfection by either stretching them or cutting their limbs. It represents Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s view of modern civilization’s hubristic side effects - modifying humans to satisfy technology, blaming reality for not fitting economic models, inventing diseases to sell drugs, defining intelligence as what can be tested in a classroom, and convincing people that employment is not slavery.

Playful and irreverent, these aphorisms will surprise you by exposing self-delusions you have been living with but never recognized. With a rare combination of pointed wit and potent wisdom, Taleb plows through human illusions, contrasting the classical values of courage, elegance, and erudition against the modern diseases of nerdiness, philistinism, and phoniness.

©2010 Nassim Nicholas Taleb (P)2010 Gildan Media Corp Personal Development Philosophy Society Witty Classics Employment

Critic reviews

“[Taleb writes] in a style that owes as much to Stephen Colbert as it does to Michel de Montaigne.” ( The Wall Street Journal)
The most prophetic voice of all.” ( GQ)
"Idiosyncratically brilliant.” ( Los Angeles Times)
All stars
Most relevant
Enlightening and, in places, chortle inducing. I deduct one start for the awful introductory music.

Quip filled

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The last book I've read in the Incerto series because I didn't think it was going to be that interesting. Wrong again. Nick Taleb provides the reader or listener with a fabulous whirling cornucopia of bon mots and truisms.

Hidden Taleb

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really enjoyed this book. Taleb has really taken an independent approach to philosophical aphorisms that pull on timeless principles. Very funny read as well. Not suggested for an economist

Unapologetic

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a beautiful and oftentimes humorous set of aphorisms that are sure to inspire and amuse those who read (or hear) them

talebbian wisdom shared in its most pithy purity

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Very good read and I mean the "read" literally, since an audible book is not the ideal format for aphorisms. This should be read at your own pace. I'm definitely going to buy the printed version.

Take one aphorism a day

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