Volume 355 of Science (February 03, 2017) focuses on the use of scientific methods to predict population-level trends. The work of Alexandre Bovet, Flaviano Morone, and Hernán A. Makse using analysis of Twitter to predict the outcome of the 2016 US Presidential Election (see previous post) is featured. Technology and understanding of human motivations and current circumstances are key to such prediction. Although there is still work to be done before a completely accurate method of prediction is attained, the tools we are developing at present are a step firmly in the right direction. For further reading:
Prediction and its limits Science 355 (2017), Barbara R. Jasny and Richard Stone
The Pulse of the People Science 355 (2017), John Bohannon
