Antifragility is the opposite of this, a condition where the potential
downside is limited, but the upside is unlimited. A situation where
things will probably go badly, but only a little badly, and in the best
case they will go really well. An everyday example is that you ask
someone out for a date. The worst, and most likely, outcome is that they
decline, which is sad but no disaster. But the best outcome is that you
will find someone to spend the rest of your life with.
Or let’s say you write a novel. The worst, and most likely, outcome is that you will have wasted your time, because nobody wants to read it. Again, this is sad, but no disaster. You’ve lost time and effort, but it is a limited loss. But the best possible outcome is practically unlimited: That you will have written the next Harry Potter or Fifty Shades of Grey.
Antifragility is frightening, but the fact that the downside is more probable is outweighed by the fact that the upside is so wonderful.
- The Importance of Being Antifragile
Or let’s say you write a novel. The worst, and most likely, outcome is that you will have wasted your time, because nobody wants to read it. Again, this is sad, but no disaster. You’ve lost time and effort, but it is a limited loss. But the best possible outcome is practically unlimited: That you will have written the next Harry Potter or Fifty Shades of Grey.
Antifragility is frightening, but the fact that the downside is more probable is outweighed by the fact that the upside is so wonderful.
- The Importance of Being Antifragile
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