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 Course of Love
Battlegrounds
The Immateriality of the Material
The Rise of the Rest
Ask The Dust
Ready Player One
American Exceptionalism
The Professor in the Cage
Epic Measures
What's Our Problem?
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Thinking and Deciding
Sun Rises in the Evening
Win Your Inner Battles
The Statistical Mechanics of Financial Markets
René Girard's Mimetic Theory
The 10,000 Year Explosion
The Big Short
The Coaching Habit
Setting The Table
Tragedy and Hope
Musashi
The World We Have Lost
The Columbian Exchange
Idoru
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Mathematician's Delight
Exhalation
The Lessons of History
I am Benjamin Franklin
The Bias That Divides Us
Thinking In Bets
A Life
A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things
Cold Calling Techniques
Limitless
The Idealist
The Politics Industry
Triggered
The Moment of Lift
Man's Search for Meaning
Things Never To Tell Children
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
Turtles All The Way Down
Mountains Beyond Mountains
Powernomics
The Madness of Crowds
Spiritual Warfare
Imaginable
Accidental Presidents
A Father First
The Making of the President 1960
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Tomorrow's Table
Whole Earth Discipline
The Paris Architect
Boom
The Power of Habit
Essays and Lectures
Natural Born Heroes
Diaminds
Algorithms to Live By
Fast Food Nation
The Last Days of Night
Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment
War Nerd
Talking to Strangers
Eating to Extinction
American Prison
The Warrior Ethos
The Jungle Grows Back
The Hustler
String Theory
The Big Test
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Life After Power
Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius
A World-Class Education
Soon I Will Be Invincible
Insanely Simple
The Little Book of Investing Like the Pros
The Forgotten Man
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
The Eden Project
The Art of Seduction
I, Robot
Prelude to Foundation
Business Adventures
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Meditations
Rise of the Dungeon Master
Dealing with Darwin
Play Anything
One Up
Mindfulness in Plain English
Cradle to Cradle
History Has Begun
We Were Soldiers Once... And Young
Undaunted Courage