An analogy: Go down a sea wall and dunk a measuring stick in. As the waves lap against it, how far in advance can you predict the exact height measured? Not mu

An analogy: Go down a sea wall and dunk a measuring stick in. As the waves lap against it, how far in advance can you predict the exact height measured? Not much more than a second - it's too chaotic. But observe it for a day or two, and deduce the existence of tides. Now you can easily predict the average (minute-to-minute) water height months in advance.