Artemis vs. The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Artemis
Jasmine Bashara never signed up to be a hero. She just wanted to get rich. Not crazy, eccentric-billionaire rich, like many of the visitors to her hometown of Artemis, humanity’s first and only lunar colony. Just rich enough to move out of her coffin-sized apartment and eat something better than flavored algae. Rich enough to pay off a debt she’s owed for a long time. So when a chance at a huge score finally comes her way, Jazz can’t say no. Sure, it requires her to graduate from small-time smuggler to full-on criminal mastermind. And it calls for a particular combination of cunning, technical skills, and large explosions—not to mention sheer brazen swagger. But Jazz has never run into a challenge her intellect can’t handle, and she figures she’s got the ‘swagger’ part down. The trouble is, engineering the perfect crime is just the start of Jazz’s problems. Because her little heist is about to land her in the middle of a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. Trapped...
The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Skin in the Game may be nice but The Black Swan is the OG Nicholas Taleb. Read this book to learn how to think and avoid biases and reread at least once very couple of years.

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Fast-paced and engaging | 1 | |
Strong, relatable protagonist | 1 | |
Rich scientific details | 1 | |
Humorous dialogue | 1 | |
Unique lunar setting | 1 |
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Complex technical jargon | 1 | |
Uneven pacing at times | 1 | |
Limited character development | 1 | |
Less grounded than "The Martian" | 1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Artemis offers a fast-paced narrative with a strong, relatable protagonist and rich scientific details, making it an engaging read for those who enjoy science fiction and humor. In contrast, The Black Swan focuses on complex philosophical ideas about uncertainty and biases, which may appeal more to readers interested in deep analytical thinking. The choice between the two depends on whether you prefer an entertaining story with humor and action or a thought-provoking exploration of risk and unpredictability.
Yes, Artemis is designed to be an entertaining and engaging read with its fast-paced plot, humorous dialogue, and unique lunar setting. It features a protagonist who navigates a heist with clever problem-solving. On the other hand, The Black Swan is more of a philosophical text that challenges readers to think critically about randomness and biases, which may not provide the same level of entertainment as Artemis.
Artemis features a strong, relatable protagonist in Jasmine Bashara, who is driven by her desire for wealth and adventure. This character's journey and development are central to the story. In contrast, The Black Swan does not focus on a protagonist in the traditional sense, as it is a non-fiction work that presents ideas rather than character-driven narratives. Therefore, Artemis has the advantage in terms of character strength.
Yes, Artemis is noted for its rich scientific details that enhance the story's setting and plot, making it engaging for readers who enjoy science fiction. The Black Swan, while intellectually stimulating, deals with abstract concepts related to probability and risk, which may not be as engaging for readers looking for a narrative-driven experience. Thus, Artemis may be more appealing for those who appreciate scientific context in their reading.
'Artemis' is a science fiction novel by Andy Weir that follows the story of Jasmine Bashara, a small-time smuggler in humanity’s first and only lunar colony. In her quest to get rich and improve her living conditions, she gets involved in a high-stakes heist that leads her into a dangerous conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. The novel is filled with scientific details, humor, and suspense.
Pros of 'Artemis' include its fast-paced and engaging plot, a strong and relatable protagonist, rich scientific details, humorous dialogue, and a unique lunar setting. However, some cons are the complex technical jargon, uneven pacing at times, limited character development, and it being less grounded than Andy Weir's previous novel, 'The Martian'.
The protagonist of 'Artemis' is Jasmine Bashara, also known as Jazz. She is a small-time smuggler living in Artemis, the first and only lunar colony. Jazz is ambitious and resourceful, willing to take on risky ventures to achieve her goal of becoming wealthy.
'Artemis' is written by Andy Weir, who is also the author of the bestselling novel 'The Martian'. Weir is known for his detailed scientific accuracy and engaging storytelling style.
The setting of 'Artemis' is unique because it takes place in humanity’s first and only lunar colony. The city of Artemis is vividly imagined and combines elements of a futuristic lunar environment with familiar aspects of human society, making for a fascinating backdrop to the story.
'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb explores the concept of unpredictable and rare events that have a massive impact on the world. The book delves into how these events are often rationalized in hindsight, despite being unexpected. It encourages readers to understand and embrace uncertainty, and to recognize the limitations of predictive models and human biases.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a Lebanese-American essayist, scholar, statistician, and former trader and risk analyst. He is known for his work on probability, uncertainty, and randomness, and has authored several books including 'The Black Swan,' 'Antifragile,' and 'Skin in the Game.' Taleb's work mainly focuses on the unpredictability of events and how individuals and systems can be robust or even benefit from disorder.
The main themes of 'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb include the impact of rare and unpredictable events, the flaws of predictive models, human cognitive biases, and the concept of robustness and fragility in systems. Taleb argues that these 'Black Swan' events are often underestimated and can have profound consequences on societies and economies.
You should read 'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb to gain a deeper understanding of how rare and unpredictable events can shape our world. The book provides valuable insights into recognizing and mitigating biases, improving decision-making under uncertainty, and preparing for the unexpected. It’s a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional wisdom and encourages critical thinking.