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
Blueprint
The God Proof
The Player of Games
Planetary
The Sum of Us
These Truths
The New Economics
Dictionary of Untranslatables
The Unincorporated Man
Competition Demystified
Markings
Letters of Note
Moby Dick
The Humane Economy
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Awareness
Happiness
The Works
High
Drawing Life
The Giving Tree
Powernomics
Secret Sauce
The Moment of Lift
The Jungle
The Virgin Suicides
Night Sky with Exit Wounds
Poor Numbers
How To Buy Stocks
Memoirs
Bobby Kennedy
The Principia
How Innovation Works
The Great Mental Models
In Search of Lost Time
Fall of Constantinople
A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things
The Art of Spirited Away
March
Mortal Republic
The Psychology of Achievement
Trading Bases
Benjamin Franklin
The Obstacle Is the Way
Death Rattle
Daemon
Structures
The Minefield Girl
Million Dollar Weekend
Flowers for Algernon
Vagabonding
Orwell's Revenge
Black Edge
The Inner Lives of Markets
A Story Lately Told
Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman
The Power of Full Engagement
More Money Than God
The Lord of the Rings
Monetizing Innovation
The Light Of Other Days
The Bully Pulpit
The Professor in the Cage
Meditations
High Output Management
The Story of Design
The DevOps Handbook
The Great Rupture
Whole Earth Discipline
When Genius Failed
The Clash of the Cultures
The Master Switch
That's What She Said
The Kelly Capital Growth Investment Criterion
Dreamland
The Promise of a Pencil
Use of Weapons
Makers
In Defense of Food
Principles of Economics
The Amateur
Happy Money
Liftoff
The Macintosh Way
Competing Against Luck
Start-up Nation
Gridiron Genius
No Two Alike
War
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
The Upanishads
Home Game
Astrophysics for People In a Hurry
Out of Mao's Shadow
A Pattern Language
The Oxford History of Britain
The Demon Under The Microscope
Thank God for Bitcoin
There Must Be A Pony In Here Somewhere
Behind the Cloud