Ali Sattari

“The only definition of rationality that I’ve found that is practically, empirically, and mathematically rigorous is the following: what is rational is that which allows for survival. Unlike modern theories by psychosophasters, it maps to the classical way of thinking. Anything that hinders one’s survival at an individual, collective, tribal, or general level is, to me, irrational.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life

“A great work ethic isn’t about working whenever you’re called upon. It’s about doing what you say you’re going to do, putting in a fair day’s work, respecting the work, respecting the customer, respecting coworkers, not wasting time, not creating unnecessary work for other people, and not being a bottleneck. Work ethic is about being a fundamentally good person that others can count on and enjoy working with.”
― Jason Fried, It Doesn't Have to be Crazy at Work

“A wealthy CEO could justify his or her advantages to a lower paid worker on a factory floor as:
"I am not worthier then you nor morally deserving of the privileged position I hold. My generous compensation package is simply an incentive necessary to induce me and others like me, to develop our talents for the benefit of all. It is not your fault that you lack the talent society needs, nor is it my doing that I have such talents in abundance. This is why some of my income is taxed away to help people like you. I do not morally deserve my superior pay and position, but I am entitled to them under fair rules of social cooperation, and remember, you and I would have agreed to these rules had we thought about the matter before we knew who would land on top and whom at the bottom. So please do not resent me, my privileges make you better off than you would otherwise be, the inequality you find galling is for your own good.”
― Michael J. Sandel, The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?

“People who are bred, selected, and compensated to find complicated solutions do not have an incentive to implement simplified ones.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Skin in the Game: The Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life