3 ms·
Isn't that the very definition of something being predictable? That there is a pattern which predicts a certain outcome? For example a certain simplified weat
by chki 9y ago
Isn't that the very definition of something being predictable?
That there is a pattern which predicts a certain outcome?
For example a certain simplified weather pattern (e.g. "if it rains for three consecutive days 9/10 times it rains a fourth day") makes it possible to predict a certain weather ("it has rained the last three days so there will be rain tomorrow as well")
Obviously that is not a prediction with absolute certainty but nonetheless a prediction.
- ajross 9y agoIt's a semantic argument over the meaning of "pattern". Your example is mathematical, the meaning in the linked article is more along the lines of "statistical model". I mean, to provide a counterexample: we have about as good a model for beta decay of H3 as we are ever going to get[1], but we still can't tell you when your geiger counter is going to click. [1] Pause for some physiscist to jump in and tell me this is totally not true and there remain deep theoretical holes here.