Antifragility: Surviving and Thriving
Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s 2012 book, “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder.” Asks how do we deal with the dangers posed by increasing uncertainty and volatility in a world that has grown ever more interdependent and complex. How can we not just withstand it, but profit from it?
He goes to great length to define his terms. The English word for fragile can describe many objects: an old and sickly person, a crystal chandelier, or an undiversified stock portfolio where all its value is placed in only one company. The idea of fragility means there is risk of losing something or of damage. The opposite of fragile is not sturdiness or robustness, for those only capture part of what he is getting at. The word for the opposite of fragile does not even exist in English—so Taleb invents the word: antifragility. Antifragility means the risk is minimized when the unforeseen yet inevitable negative event occurs. When catastrophe strikes, antifragility enables the person or institution to withstand the impact. According to Taleb, antifragility even means when bad things happen (stressors), the antifragile will benefit from it. Someone or something is prepared to grow stronger in the chaos and disorder.
As an example, Taleb draws an analogy that bones grow stronger when subjected to stress and tension. Bones that are not subjugated to stress, grow fragile. Difficult times makes us grow stronger. Anne Bradstreet, an English Puritan living in the American colonies and considered America’s first poet said, “If we had not the winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
Taleb pushes this idea further. If we can withstand difficulties, that means we are only being sturdy or robust. Benefiting from difficult, chaotic times means we have become antifragile. He then spends hundreds of pages explaining to the reader how this concept plays out in nearly all aspects of society. But the common result is the same: the fragile will perish; the antifragile will survive and thrive.
The book is multidisciplinary, touching on various subjects and industries such as medicine, politics, war, personal finance, and urban planning. Indeed, Taleb seems determined to demonstrate the veracity of his thesis by showing the reader the comprehensive nature of his idea. After a few hundred pages, it gets a little repetitious. This book could have been half of its 519 pages and still made the point just as clearly. I hope my Project Portfolio, upon completion next semester, will have as an impressive bibliography as this book. Twenty-three pages of source material demonstrates the wide-ranging nature of this book. The book is ambitious and Taleb does a great job of teaching how his idea has played out in history and will continue to influence the future.
Throughout the book there is a subtext that warns the reader to think deeper about this world and recognize the patterns of unpredictability and volatility in this world. Therefore, the reader should adopt an antifragile mindset to better manage chaotic occurrences. If this book was a late-night infomercial, the hyper-energetic salesman would be pitching: “Learn to prepare and benefit from the unexpected!”
Adopting this mindset enables an individual or a company to desire uncertainty and chaos. We can learn to plan for it and design our lives and companies in such a way that we thrive in a world of uncertainty. Despite our preference is for stability and certitude, we should adopt an attitude of adaptability and evolution. The most satisfying aspect of this book is that it not only plays out on an individual basis, but also on families, companies and nations. The idea is scalable; therefore, our institutions must also be made less vulnerable by welcoming change. We do this by making our institutions antifragile, meaning we shrewdly plan for and take advantage of the randomness and ever-changing nature inherent in this world.
I admire books like these that talk about big ideas in our world. They help me better interpret the news we see every day, or handle the advertising targeted at me continually, or the political upheavals happening around the world. The book gives wisdom to pause and see the deeper movements and patterns happening in our world.
We can see Taleb’s thesis builds upon James Gleick’s 1988 bestseller, “Chaos Theory: Making a New Science.” Chaos theory asserts that small events can have enormous and unpredictable consequences. Taleb affirms this and demonstrates that the ones (individuals, companies, entire nations) who can withstand the changes, and even profit from it, has the advantage over those who don’t. Taleb agrees that chaos theory plays out in all facets of society, often times in surprising ways. But with Taleb, we have a turn of practicality: he shows us how to deal with this reality. We become “antifragile.” This means we should be able to change, adapt, evolve, keep learning, keep growing. Don’t hold on too tightly to what you think you have in this world, because it is fleeting and continually changing.
It is not too far of a stretch to say that part of our Christian faith agrees on this point. 1 Corinthians 7:31 says, “For this world in its present form is passing away.” Taleb says we should be continually learning and growing in knowledge, much like Colossians 1:10 says: “…bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Christ call us to this life of dependance upon him and not anything else—because everything else is fleeting: “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings . . .” (Psalm 146:3). This verse could also read, “Do not put your trust in money, or your job, or your health….” Our dependance and close following of Jesus in our lives enables us to overcome the chaotic turbulence in this world. Christ keeps us growing, improving, learning. Christ makes us antifragile: “For I know the plans I have for you…” (Jeremiah 29:11).
About the Author
Troy Rappold
B.A. Communication - University of Colorado M.Div. Theology - Cincinnati Christian University Currently enrolled in D. Min. program at George Fox University4 responses to “Antifragility: Surviving and Thriving”
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Troy: I agree that Taleb was a bit long winded and could have made his point more succinctly. I appreciated the biblical references that you tied in towards the end of your post. One that was brought to my mind was John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
He assures us that we will have trouble and challenge – and yet, we are all to often resistant to it when it comes.
Troy, such a rich post. I appreciate the connections you made to diverse biblical principles in your last paragraph. Based on your experience working at your church, what one principle from Taleb do you think the church needs to grasp in order to be more effective in its mission?
Well said. Some real nuggets here in your reflections. You are the only one I have read (thus far) that mentioned the concept of preparedness – “Learn to prepare and benefit from the unexpected!”
Thanks for reminding me of that as that was a significant point for me as well when I was reading. I imagine you practiced this concept (albeit subconsciously I imagine) in business. What role does this have in your life now, if at all?
Troy thank you for the ways this book connected you to your learning.
As you consider what Taleb offers you what are the patterns you see now that call for antifragility?