Prediction by the Numbers Prologue
Preview: Season 45 Episode 6 | 1m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
Discover why some predictions succeed and others fail as experts forecast the future.
Predictions underlie nearly every aspect of our lives, from sports, politics, and medical decisions to the morning commute. With the explosion of digital technology, the internet, and “big data,” the science of forecasting is flourishing. But why do some predictions succeed spectacularly while others fail abysmally? And how can we find meaningful patterns amidst chaos and uncertainty?
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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
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Prediction by the Numbers Prologue
Preview: Season 45 Episode 6 | 1m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
Predictions underlie nearly every aspect of our lives, from sports, politics, and medical decisions to the morning commute. With the explosion of digital technology, the internet, and “big data,” the science of forecasting is flourishing. But why do some predictions succeed spectacularly while others fail abysmally? And how can we find meaningful patterns amidst chaos and uncertainty?
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Video has Closed Captions
Science's most important number has its origins in a British experiment involving tea. (4m 12s)
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Crowds hold a predictive power that can have startling accuracy. (3m 38s)
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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.