Decentralization is based on the simple notion that it is easier to macrobullt than microbullt. (Location 449)
via negativa (acting by removing) is more powerful and less error-prone than via positiva (acting by additionfn1). (Location 564)
While conforming to ancestral, ancient, and classical notions of justice, this book, relying on the same arguments of asymmetry, goes against a century and a half of modernistic thinking—something we will call here intellectualism. Intellectualism is the belief that one can separate an action from the results of such action, that one can separate theory from practice, and that one can always fix a complex system by hierarchical approaches, that is, in a (ceremonial) top-down manner. (Location 702)
Note: classic stupid taleb here. trying to find generic rules that underly apparently unrelated activities, phenomena and concepts is legitimate.
More critically, people with good lawyers can game regulations (or, as we will see, make it known that they hire former regulators, and overpay for them, which signals a prospective bribe to those currently in office). (Location 779)
