Book Report: The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
By Dr. Patrick Haydel
Introduction
My name is Dr. Patrick Haydel, and I’ve spent most of my life as a healer, entrepreneur, and problem-solver. From founding my chiropractic practice in Houma, Louisiana, to building a portfolio of real estate and healthcare-related ventures, I’ve always believed in preparation, persistence, and purpose.
Now, while serving a federal prison sentence, I’ve redirected those same principles toward personal transformation and contribution. Through my work with Prison Professors, I help others in custody develop the mindset and tools they need to succeed—not only upon release, but right now. That work begins with self-education, and one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read in this journey is The Black Swan, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
Why I Read The Black Swan
Before prison, I was always attracted to systems thinking. Whether managing a business, launching a new service line, or investing in real estate, I believed in identifying patterns and minimizing risk. But The Black Swan taught me something I hadn’t fully grasped: some events are not just unpredictable—they’re beyond what we think is possible.
I chose to read The Black Swan because I wanted to gain deeper insight into risk, uncertainty, and how flawed assumptions can derail even the most carefully laid plans. In my life—just like in the justice system—I’ve seen how people suffer when they overestimate their control. I knew this book would challenge the way I think, and it did just that.
What I Learned from The Black Swan
Taleb’s thesis is simple but profound: the most consequential events in history—whether in finance, science, or our personal lives—are “Black Swan” events: rare, unpredictable, and deeply disruptive. We often fail to see them coming, not because they’re unknowable, but because we’re biased to think the future will resemble the past.
Here are some key takeaways that resonated with me:
- The Limits of Predictive Thinking
I spent much of my professional life relying on forecasts—projecting revenues, estimating ROI, making educated assumptions about markets. Taleb taught me that our models are often based on incomplete data and flawed logic. In prison, this insight has helped me accept uncertainty with humility and sharpen my focus on adaptability over prediction. - Narrative Fallacy
Humans love stories. We create neat narratives to explain complex realities—even when those stories aren’t accurate. This fallacy shows up in courtrooms, media, and even in how we view our own pasts. The Black Swan helped me challenge the “storylines” I had accepted about my own journey. It reminded me to look past emotion and examine facts with clarity. - Antifragility
Although Taleb fully explores this concept in a later book, The Black Swan introduces the idea that some people, systems, or organizations actually become stronger when exposed to chaos. This idea reshaped how I approach my prison term. Rather than survive adversity, I’ve chosen to grow from it—to use this disruption as a catalyst for reinvention. - Silent Evidence
One of the most powerful lessons is that we rarely account for those who fail. For every success story we celebrate, there are thousands we never hear about. This reminded me that real analysis requires asking, “What don’t I see?” It’s a lesson I now incorporate when teaching others in prison how to weigh consequences, consider context, and think critically.
How The Black Swan Will Influence My Life After Release
This book has permanently changed how I view risk—and how I will build my future.
I used to believe that if I worked hard, treated people right, and stayed disciplined, I could control most outcomes. But The Black Swan showed me that true strength comes from building systems that can withstand the unexpected.
When I return to society, I plan to use this mindset to guide both my personal and professional decisions. Whether I reenter healthcare, develop housing for returning citizens, or expand my role in criminal justice reform, I’ll lead with the awareness that stability is an illusion—and resilience is the real advantage.
More importantly, I’ll continue mentoring others, especially those still inside. I’ll help them understand that the worst events in life—like being sentenced to prison—can become the very catalysts for growth, if approached with the right mindset.
Final Thoughts
The Black Swan is not a self-help book in the traditional sense, but it’s one of the most empowering books I’ve read. It dismantles illusions, exposes our blind spots, and challenges us to build lives not just prepared for the future—but built to rise from its chaos.
My incarceration may have been a Black Swan event in my life—unforeseen, devastating, and deeply disruptive. But thanks to authors like Taleb, and mentors like Michael Santos, I now see that I can emerge from this experience not weakened, but wiser.With resolve and renewed clarity,
Dr. Patrick Haydel
Educator, Contributor, Prison Professors Talent
