Words to Say It Come Easily
The tendency to trust ideas that are expressed fluently and sound intelligent, while dismissing counterintuitive truths that initially seem like lunacy. This bias can lead to overlooking important insights that challenge conventional wisdom.
THE IDEA
Et les mots pour le dire viennent aisément
What is easy to conceive is clear to express / Words to say it would come effortlessly.
The reader can imagine my disappointment at realizing, while growing up as a practitioner of randomness, that most poetic sounding adages are plain wrong. Borrowed wisdom can be vicious. I need to make a huge effort not to be swayed by well-sounding remarks. I remind myself of Einstein’s remark that common sense is nothing but a collection of misconceptions acquired by age eighteen. Furthermore, What sounds intelligent in a conversation or a meeting, or, particularly, in the media, is suspicious.
Any reading of the history of science would show that almost all the smart things that have been proven by science appeared like lunacies at the time they were first discovered. Try to explain to a Times (of London) journalist in 1905 that time slows down when one travels (even the Nobel committee never granted Einstein the prize on account of his insight on special relativity). Or to someone with no exposure to physics that there are places in our universe where time does not exist. Try to explain to Kenny that, although his star trader “proved” to be extremely successful, I have enough arguments to convince him that he is a dangerous idiot.
When to use it
Evaluating investment advice by its evidence and assumptions while checking whether confident, fluent presentation is influencing your judgment.
Assessing new scientific or philosophical theories that challenge established norms.
Making decisions in group settings where the most articulate person often dominates the conversation.
Reading news or media stories and distinguishing between compelling narratives and accurate reporting.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Einstein's Special Relativity
Taleb asks the reader to imagine explaining special relativity to a Times journalist in 1905. The scenario illustrates how an unfamiliar scientific claim can initially sound implausible; it is not an account of a particular conversation.
Kenny's Star Trader
A trader who appears successful may actually be dangerous if their strategy relies on luck; convincing someone of this is difficult due to the bias toward clear, successful narratives.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
When have you been swayed by an eloquent speaker or well-written content, only to later realize the idea was flawed?
Can you recall a time when an idea that initially seemed crazy or counterintuitive turned out to be correct?
How can you consciously counteract the bias of trusting what sounds intelligent and familiar?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Fooled by Randomness The Hidden Role of Chance in the Markets and in Life (Nassim Nicholas Taleb)