Nobody reads the disclosures that roll down your computer screen. You click 'I agree' but you don't know what you're agreeing to.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
When you develop your opinions on the basis of weak evidence, you will have difficulty interpreting subsequent information that contradicts these opinions, even if this new information is obviously more accurate.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Forming opinions based on insufficient evidence can hinder your ability to accept more accurate information later.
This quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb emphasizes the importance of forming well-founded opinions based on strong evidence. When opinions are based on weak or flimsy evidence, individuals become resistant to accepting new information that contradicts those opinions, even when that information is clearly more reliable. This highlights the cognitive bias that occurs when people cling to their beliefs despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, ultimately impacting our understanding of the truth.
Themes
OpinionsEvidenceInformationCognitive BiasTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about climate change, you might use this quote to highlight the importance of relying on substantial evidence rather than rumors.
More from Nassim Nicholas Taleb
All quotes →Fragility is the quality of things that are vulnerable to volatility.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Those who were unlucky in life in spite of their skills would eventually rise. The lucky fool might have benefited from some luck in life; over the longer run he would slowly converge to the state of a less-lucky idiot. Each one would revert to his long-term properties.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Individuals should think about the worst-case scenarios and plan for them. The world will be crazier than you think it will be. Put money away, and then you can live with much more freedom.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
A good maxim allows you to have the last word without even starting a conversation.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Similar quotes
Whoever is not made glorified by taqwa can find no glory.
Al-ShafiiRead
He who sings frightens away his ills.
Miguel De CervantesRead
When someone is dancing madly in a blissful state, in ecstasy after meditation, he is creating vibrations around him. They may penetrate into anyone. They can become infectious; they do become infectious. This ecstasy can go to others also; this ecstasy can be felt. Others hearts will be touched by it. And if you can create ripples around you, vibrations, you have served the world, and there is no other way to serve it - you have served the divine, and there is no other way to serve it.
RajneeshRead
Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you.
Alex HaleyRead
Ability is a wonderful thing, but its value is greatly enhanced by dependability. Ability implies repeatability and accountability.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.
Thomas S. MonsonRead