How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Jeff is still giving his prepared remarks and Steve just blurts out, 'Well, your models are wrong!' This very awkward silence comes over the room." (7.25)
You might think that Eisman is being a little rude (and you wouldn't be wrong), but here's the thing—the subprime crisis might not have happened if more people were willing to speak their minds as he did. Sitting down and shutting up doesn't really seem like the best course of action here.
Quote #5
"I have always believed that a single talented analyst, working very hard, can cover an amazing amount of investment landscape, and this belief remains unchallenged in my mind." (8.45)
Here is Burry's guiding principle throughout The Big Short. He has an almost religious sense of individualism, one that stays strong even when assaulted from all sides by a bunch of angry investors second-guessing him and looking to withdraw their funds. Some people might call this madness, but hey—dude can't be cray when he's right…right?
Quote #6
"Being short in 2007 and making money from it was fun, because we were short bad guys. [...] In 2008 it was the entire financial system that was at risk." (10.1)
Although Eisman is determined to make himself a tidy fortune, he doesn't share Wall Street's belief in attaining profit at any cost. He has his limits. In this situation, he becomes greatly concerned with how the subprime collapse will affect the countless working class Americans who are already struggling.