Putting One's Own Money

• Context of Antifragility, Taleb

• I was convinced after reading the latter part of Antifragility.

• It can probably be broken down into several arguments:

  • 1. “Putting one’s own money on the line” as an ethical/normative claim
    • The discussion of antifragility itself is an argument that it is good to increase the upside to uncertainty and decrease the downside.
    • Then, bringing up the Golden Rule as a universal ethic,
      • Arguing that it is not good to take antifragility from others and make oneself antifragile.
  • 2. “Putting one’s own money on the line” as a criterion for trusting others
  • 3. “Putting one’s own money on the line” to find meaning in one’s own way of living
    • Personally, this resonated with me the most.
    • The difference between saying “I want to/do this” and actually putting one’s own money on the line
      • i.e. Taking a position
    • Upon rereading this, the discussion about “the specs are not bad” seems to be about scientism, and what was really needed might have been simply understanding things like communication firsthand, don’t you think?