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 Varieties of Religious Experience
Artemis
Only the Paranoid Survive
In Over Our Heads
How The Internet Happened
Shaping the Future of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Story of the Human Body
King Lear
The Song of the Cell
Lost Ocean
Brave New Words
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
As One Is
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
Q.E.D.
Where are the Customers Yachts
Evolving Ourselves
Scaling People
The Little Liar
The Humanure Handbook
Where Mountains Roar
The Enchiridion
The Singularity Is Near
Radical Candor
Freedom from the Known
I Wrote This Book Because I Love You
State of the Art
The Method Method
When To Jump
The Art of Memoir
Crucial Conversations
Maps of Meaning
David Bowie
The Odyssey
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
How to Teach Your Baby to Read
The Essays of Schopenhauer
The Demon Under The Microscope
I Want To Be A Mathematician
Philosophy and Scientific Realism
Heretics of Dune
Savage Son
Modelling Extremal Events
Proof of Corruption
Peter Pan
Determined
More From Less
Superhuman
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
The Meaning of It All
The Giving Tree
Lincoln
Linchpin
The Evolution of Everything
The Design of Everyday Things
My Forty Years with Ford
Survival to Thrival
The Origin of Species
Friday Forward
An Elegant Defense
Permaculture: A Designer's Manual
Anything You Want
Relentless
How Will You Measure Your Life?
American Crusade
Screw Business As Usual
The Quest
The Law
Forged in Crisis
Range
On The Move
Call Me by Your Name
QED
Seveneves
Just Kids
The Holy Bible
Secret Sauce
The Plot Against the President
Liberal Privelege
Toussaint Louverture
The Museum of Other People
Winners Take All
The Tipping Point
Portraits of Interiors
Winning The Loser's Game
Days of Rage
Treasure Island
Financial Derivatives
Creative Selection
When Reason Goes on Holiday
Great Short Poems
The Fatal Conceit
World War 3.0
The Art of Possibility
Getting It Done
Road to Wigan Pier
I am Benjamin Franklin
Kill Decision
Very Classy