Page 13 - CSA Speaker Bulletin October 2019

Page 13 - CSA Speaker Bulletin October 2019 | CSA Celebrity Speakers

P. 13

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Taking Advantage
of Uncertainty in an
Uncertain World

What have the invention of the wheel, Pompeii, the Wall
Street Crash, Harry Potter and the internet got in common?
Why are all forecasters con-artists? What can Catherine
the Great's lovers tell us about probability? And, why should
you never run for a train or read a newspaper? This was
our pitch to a leading and long standing CSA client in the
private equity sector seeking to invite a top “name” for a
fireside chat with their investors at a recent London event.
Who better to invite than one of the world’s leading thinkers
who knows and understands the risks in the world of global
investment inside out.

Our solution: Nassim Nicholas Taleb who is a former everything - and take advantage of uncertainty.
financial trader and author of best-selling books the most
famous of which “The Black Swan” made his name. Many of our clients tell us they find a hosted Q&A more
effective and personalised. Particularly when the subject
Black Swans: the random events that underlie our lives, from matter is complex and specialist. Our client was delighted
bestsellers to world disasters. Their impact is huge; they're with this format. They received full value by Nassim
impossible to predict; yet after they happen we always try attending a face to face briefing meeting prior and
to rationalize them. A rallying cry to ignore the 'experts', attendance at the event dinner.
"The Black Swan" shows us how to stop trying to predict

Cliveden unmissable weekend of wonder, with essential tools of life. Helen Fielding,
Literary stimulating discussions and debates creator of Bridget Jones, discussed
Festival with the stellar speakers taking part. female protagonists and what makes
them stand the test of time, whilst Rory
The third Cliveden Literary Festival Panel topics and sessions for this Stewart talked all things politics with
took place on 28 and 29 September year’s festival included: global power, Simon Sebag Montefiore.
in the magnificent surroundings of conflict & conspiracy, the art of the
Cliveden House. Hailed by Alain novel, Victoria’s legacy, the secrets
de Botton as “the most dignified of the universe and the secrets of the
and beautiful literary festival on the mind.
planet”, the 2019 Festival was an
Alain de Botton, writer and
philosopher of life, took part at the
festival, talking about empathy,
resilience, composure and the

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