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Consider the human immune system. When exposed to a variety of pathogens in moderate amounts, your immune system learns and adapts, becoming stronger and more capable of fighting off future infections. This contrasts with an overly sterile environment, where insufficient exposure might leave the body less prepared for real threats. This example echoes Taleb’s idea of antifragility: certain systems benefit and improve when they encounter stressors.

Taleb’s work overturns the common belief that stability and predictability are inherently desirable. By introducing the concept of antifragility, he argues that certain systems actually improve when exposed to volatility and stress. This challenges our conventional strategies of risk management, emphasizing that avoiding disorder altogether may prevent opportunities for growth and adaptation.