To paraphrase Tycho, I'm fairly critical of Teleb precisely because I do love his writing, and want it to be better.
The Bed of Procrustes is a book of Taleb's aphorisms. They are smart and well written. But a whole book of them is disappointing.
I so wish this book had more depth, more meat. It's insightful for Taleb to say "never trust a man who earns a salary (or, more specifically, has a dependent source of income) – unless he is on minimum wage." But, that statement begs to start a debate, not be the witty conclusion. How should people live? Is it robust to build a society where everyone earns independent income? If so, how do we get there? If not, do we have to accept the fact that a large portion of our society, the wage earners, should be deemed untrustworthy?
Where is your deep insight Taleb? Your vision? Your philosophical leadership? The Bed of Procrustes is not worthy of you.
Taleb rightly says "a good maxim allows you to have the last word without even starting a conversation." With whole book of maxims though, a whole book of last words, you end up with thoughts that's are aways ending-- that never start.
Another minor irritation, at least for me; Taleb frequently uses 'freedom' to mean 'free from responsibilities' and not 'free to choose responsibilities' or 'free to create' The these types of freedom are very different. While one man's freedom may mean he has hours of idle time, for another man freedom means that his days are filled with the responsibilities and creations of his choosing and acceptance of there consequences.
Having said all that, I've read the book twice and I'll probably read it again.
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