Forecast, evaluate, repeat. Forecast, evaluate, repeat. Interestingly, these words somehow represent both the iterative process through which I finalized my FPP presentation as well as its content. I predicted how each slide would turn out, analyzed the final outcome, readjusted as I saw fit. So much of what we do, day to day, involves creating judgmental forecasts. Lately, the push has been to digitize, to create rigorous numerical models that match our qualitative perceptions and raise them a quantitative level of precision.
Throughout the past couple of days, I’ve been thinking about “big data.” Some find fault with the notion that we can simply mathematize decision-making. Perhaps, they fear a loss of control and accountability. These complaints are more than valid; they are imperative and worthy of considerable deliberation as our society sets its course for future decades. Blindly trusting computer simulations and estimations ignores the human side of real-world problems. One-size fits all algorithms are helpful, but they must always maintain outlets for personal alterations, wiggle room if you will. Give us room to wiggle, and we will give you room to forecast, evaluate, and repeat, be it with supercomputers or mere pencil and paper.
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Fun fact for any of you League of Legend players (I believe it is a video game of some sort):
NC State students could use you for help on their project. See the above graphic’s details.