The Bed of Procrustes cover art

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 Philosophy Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Society Witty Classics Employment

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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  
Like I said.
Also don't read this if you're a self conscious economist. It won't be fun

Tells you more about the author, than the world.

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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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I can listen to it on loop. If you are looking for short and insightful quotes that can change your perspective on life... this is it

A book without narrative

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I don't think anybody (pace Oscar Wilde) can write one and a half hours of aphorisms and expect to stay witty, likeable and credible. Mr Taleb ends up sounding rather up-his-own-bum, and, sometimes, just silly. He really doesn't like employment contracts (AKA wage slavery) or people who criticise his writing, and he is overly fond of sounding arty and noble and intellectual. Some of it is funny, and some of it is clever, but most of it just reveals to the reader (sorry, listener) the personality (and personality flaws) of the author. I loved Fooled by Randomness and Black Swan, which is why I tried this book, and I would recommend reading (or re-reading) those rather than trying this.

Fooled by poetry and neat rhetoric

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Little delicacies of thought, insight and reflection. Not all are the same taste. some are bitter, some crunchy and others with the sweet flowing caramel centre.

Wonderful selection of bite sized nuggets

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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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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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Definitely a fun book. Easy on the ear and can actually provide some good talking points to develop with teenage grandsons. I know 'cause I have ;)
My grandson, aged 14, and I spent at least 3 hours on the road every Sunday. This has been a wonderful way of introducing some interesting debates as opposed to what happened previously where either he or I grind our teeth at frustration on the others' choice of music.

Fun!

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Enlightening and, in places, chortle inducing. I deduct one start for the awful introductory music.

Quip filled

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Clear recording of clear observations from a clear thinker. The accuracy of the aforisms may improve your blood pressure as well.

Best time investment one can make

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