Models. Behaving. Badly.

Why Confusing Illusion with Reality Can Lead to Disaster, on Wall Street and in Life

Emanuel Derman

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"Models. Behaving. Badly." by Emanuel Derman is a compelling exploration of the limitations and misconceptions of financial models. Derman, a renowned physicist-turned-Wall Street quant, delves into the world of mathematical models used in finance and exposes their inherent flaws.

In this thought-provoking book, Derman argues that models are imperfect representations of reality, often failing to capture the complexity and irrationality of human behavior. He reveals the dangers of blindly trusting models, recounting his personal experiences in the financial industry to illustrate the consequences of relying too heavily on these tools.

Through captivating anecdotes, Derman offers a critical analysis of the overreliance on quantitative models and explains why they often lead to disastrous outcomes. He challenges the prevailing belief that models can accurately predict the future, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of financial markets and human decision-making.

While examining the shortcomings of models, Derman also highlights the importance of their proper use. He advocates for a more nuanced understanding of models as useful tools that require constant scrutiny and adjustments. By embracing the uncertainties and limitations of models, Derman suggests that individuals can make more informed and pragmatic decisions in the realm of finance.

"Models. Behaving. Badly." compels readers to question the false sense of certainty provided by models and encourages a more thoughtful approach to financial decision-making. Derman's unique perspective and expertise make this book an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of mathematics, finance, and human behavior.

Explore More Books

See All
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Four Agreements
The Elephant in the Brain
The Charisma Myth
Foundation's Edge
When Breath Becomes Air
The Gifts of Imperfection
Check Your Financial Privilege
Security Analysis
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln
Private Truths, Public Lies
Behave
Recapturing The Spirit Of Enterprise
AOL.com
The Truth Machine
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Bossypants
Shortcut
All Over but the Shoutin'
Crossing the Chasm
Information
Foundations
Change.edu
Think Twice
How We Got To Now
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
The Robber Barons
Kelly
When The Wolves Bite
To Dare and to Conquer
Command
The Art of Travel
Ice Age
In Pursuit of the Common Good
Thank God for Bitcoin
Stranger In A Strange Land
The Oxford History of Britain
City of the Century
How The Mind Works
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Brotopia
The Machine Stops
The Untethered Soul
Ponzi's Scheme
Kill Switch
Wild And Crazy Guys
The Hydrogen Sonata
Market Wizards
Super Mind
Filters Against Folly
Altars of Unhewn Stone
Founders at Work
The Double Helix
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Quantum Computing Since Democritus
Simon the Sea Cat
If The Universe Is Teeming With Aliens...Where Is Everybody?
Being With Dying
The Creative Act
Benjamin Franklin
Evicted
7 Powers
Triumphs of Experience
The Power of Glamour
The Hockey Stick Illusion
My Stroke of Insight
Intellectual Life in the Middle Ages
Math, Better Explained
Competing Against Luck
How to Be Topp
Pandemic 1918
High Growth Handbook
Impromptu
COAN
Foundation and Earth
Tribal Leadership
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World
Happiness
A Fighting Chance
The Story of Philosophy
Devil Take the Hindmost
A Great Leap Forward?
The Lord of the Rings
Cloud Atlas
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Ladies and Gentlemen - Lenny Bruce!!
The Dao of Capital
Cognitive Surplus
Why We Get Fat
Darwin's Blind Spot
Glass
The Prize
Stan Smith
Happy Accidents
Diocletian and the Roman Recovery
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Sex at Dawn
The Song Machine