Nassim Nicholas Taleb spent 21 years as a quantitative trader before transitioning to research in philosophical, mathematical, and practical problems related to probability. He is the author of the multivolume essay Incerto (including The Black Swan, Fooled by Randomness, Antifragile, and Skin in the Game), covering various aspects of uncertainty and published in 41 languages.
In addition to his trading career, Taleb has written over 70 scholarly papers on mathematical statistics, quantitative finance, statistical physics, philosophy, ethics, economics, and international affairs, focused on risk and probability (grouped in the Technical Incerto). He is currently a Distinguished Professor of Risk Engineering at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering (a quarter-time position) and serves as a scientific advisor for Universa Investments.
Taleb’s current research focuses on systems that can handle disorder, which he refers to as “antifragile.” He famously refuses all honors and anything that “turns knowledge into a spectator sport.” Taleb’s educational journey is unconventional, as he moved from practical experience to philosophical inquiry and then to mathematical formalization. Starting as a trader, he earned a doctorate mid-career and authored literary books before writing technical papers, with his work becoming progressively more technical over time.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb spent 21 years as a quantitative trader before transitioning to research in philosophical, mathematical, and practical problems related to probability. He is the author of the multivolume essay Incerto (including The Black Swan, Fooled by Randomness, Antifragile, and Skin in the Game), covering various aspects of uncertainty and published in 41 languages.
In addition to his trading career, Taleb has written over 70 scholarly papers on mathematical statistics, quantitative finance, statistical physics, philosophy, ethics, economics, and international affairs, focused on risk and probability (grouped in the Technical Incerto). He is currently a Distinguished Professor of Risk Engineering at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering (a quarter-time position) and serves as a scientific advisor for Universa Investments.
Taleb’s current research focuses on systems that can handle disorder, which he refers to as “antifragile.” He famously refuses all honors and anything that “turns knowledge into a spectator sport.” Taleb’s educational journey is unconventional, as he moved from practical experience to philosophical inquiry and then to mathematical formalization. Starting as a trader, he earned a doctorate mid-career and authored literary books before writing technical papers, with his work becoming progressively more technical over time.
