[comm_it]

In what way is it a waste of talent?

Additionally, how are they occasionally destroying the world's economy?

[elchief]

Are you kidding? Did you miss the whole 2008 financial crisis? The quants thought the could control risk, but couldn't.

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/17-03/wp_quant?curr...

It's a waste of resources as moving paper around does not contribute to economic growth, whereas say spending time and energy on AI or nano might.