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> It's a complete myth that a single data point is inadequate for making predictions. For example, let's take Usain Bolt's 100m World Record of 9.58 seconds. Im
by lowdose 6y ago
> It's a complete myth that a single data point is inadequate for making predictions. For example, let's take Usain Bolt's 100m World Record of 9.58 seconds. Imagine that was the only data point we had regarding human running speed. Wth that one data point we could confidently make a powerful prediction, that anyone we pick from the world population will take more than 9.58 seconds to run 100 meters.
We have measured countless people running the 100 meter and that's why we know who is the fastest. Isn't the world record the opposite of one data point by the accumulated knowledge is contains?
- simonh 6y agoIt’s just an extreme example to help illustrate the point. By itself it isn’t enough to make the argument, but that’s why the author also makes the rest of the argument.