George Rebane

Years back in a book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (see also ‘The Antifragile Taleb’) he described himself as having achieved the status of a flâneur.  His circuitous description of such a person was immediately inviting to me.  I am a long-time fan (student?) of Taleb, and admire his depth of knowledge about many things, even though personally he comes across as somewhat acerbic and stand-offish.  Anyway, I did more research on flâneurs and ordered a new set of business cards on which I describe myself as a ‘Flâneur-in-training’.

Since most people don’t know what is a flâneur, I made a little wallet card that I hand to those interested.  On it is my definition that expands a bit on its 1854 introduction as “an idle man about town”, and captures the more desirable traits with which Taleb and the modern definition have adorned it.

Flâneur – An accomplished gentleman of independent means, no longer having to scramble for a living, who is a keen observer of the human condition and has wide ranging interest in issues of currency and intellectual moment that include culture, politics, the arts, sciences, international affairs, etc.  He is often seen reading the news at a sidewalk café, perhaps sharing the passing scene with a like-minded friend.  Afternoons may find him invited to some exclusive salon, and evenings at a concert or lecture.  A flâneur is by nature a Bayesian, ascribing certainty or impossibility to no tenet in his credo of beliefs – the possibility of countering evidence is always allowed, nay, sought.  Flâneurs are basically elitists in that they discriminate, and are neither inclusive nor equitable in their choice of companions – they do not suffer fools – life is too short.

I have found my niche.