The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
Written by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Narrated by Sean Pratt
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
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.
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Reviews for The Bed of Procrustes
147 ratings8 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a collection of interesting and pithy points about life. It is insightful, amusing, and fresh, making it one of their favorite collections of ideas. Some readers believe that the book could have been a small chapter in another book by the same author, but overall, they find it relevant, useful, and thought-provoking. The author's writing style is praised, and some readers recommend revisiting the book multiple times to fully grasp the condensed knowledge shared. Stoicism is a recurring theme, but the author also explores other philosophies. Overall, readers find this title to be a valuable and reflective read.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5was not what i was excepted, is kind of strange being a part of a set along with The Black Swan, for instance. this could easily be a small chapter of it. but ok.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5TBOP is pithy and fun like most of NN Taleb’s stuff.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Interesting and Pithy points about life. I believe he must have borrowed this from the book of Proverbs. He mentions it in this book. I love it!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Relevant aphorisms with a slight note of a charming contempt (the author would probably not approve of the word charming - spoiler ?). Stoicism is often an underlying value but other philosophies seem attractive to the author as well. Useful and thought-provocative through and through and as often with this type of book, if used in audio format - good to be ready to pause for reflecting and rewind for repetition and retention.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Should be listened 2 or 3 times.
The knowledge is shared in a condensed manner. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Insightful, amusing, fresh. Think it has become one of my favourite collections of ideas. Will revisit many more times to be sure.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Worth re-reading and re-listening.... Or might need to revise again and again to understand ?
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Taleb is a great writer/thinker A+++++ I read nearly al his book