Business Quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
““Note that scholars are judged mostly on how many times their work is referenced in other people's work and thus cliques are formed of people who quote one another. It's an "I quote you, you quote me" type of business.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, 2007
Academic reputation is driven by reciprocal citations, creating self‑reinforcing citation circles.
In simple terms: Scholars gain status by citing each other.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and break echo chambers.
Themes
academia
reputation
networking
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
observational
reflective
When to use this quote
- research evaluation
- grant applications
- collaborative projects
Key Concepts
citation dynamics
social capital
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure diverse sources in your work?
- What mechanisms can reduce citation echo chambers?
A Different Perspective
Citation loops can marginalize novel ideas.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)