A spokesperson for George Soros told Reuters on May 15 that Soros was alive and healthy and that rumors on social media that he suffered a heart attack are false. Soros himself also tweeted that he is “alive and healthy” and that the rumour is false (here).

Reflexivity theory states that investors don't base their decisions on reality, but rather on their perceptions of reality instead. The actions that result from these perceptions have an impact on reality, or fundamentals, which then affects investors' perceptions and thus prices.

An example Soros cites is the procyclical nature of lending, that is, the willingness of banks to ease lending standards for real estate loans when prices are rising, then raising standards when real estate prices are falling, reinforcing the boom and bust cycle.

Who exactly is George Soros? George Soros is a hedge fund manager-turned-philanthropist who will turn 93 years old this coming August. He was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1930 to Jewish parents, and he lived through the Nazi occupation of his country during 1944-45.