α (“Alpha”) has symbolic importance on the investments side of finance. That is, a fundamental pillar of modern finance theory is the risk-return relation, and traditionally alpha is taken to represent the degree of “mispricing” in asset returns. But, such an interpretation is not...

Econophysics applies the techniques of physics and nonlinear dynamics to complex economic problems. This essay invokes econophysics in order to introduce a theoretical model that aspires to encompass all essential features of real financial markets. It summarizes the central argument of my book,...