Prediction vs. Prophecy

Presentation Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Location: Harvard and Radcliffe College Reunions at Home Virtual Program. Abstract: An interactive hour with Alyssa Goodman, Robert Wheeler Willson Professor of Applied Astronomy and Co-Director for Science at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, as we explore the Prediction Project. The Prediction Project examines humankind’s efforts to predict the future and spans methods ranging from the ancient Mesopotamian's practice of reading entrails to modern computer simulations of climate change. Professor Goodman will especially highlight the “Path to Newton” element of the Prediction Project. The richly illustrated \"Path\", available online at path-to.org, illustrates and describes the 3000-year history of who and what helped and hindered progress toward Isaac Newton creating a predictive theory of gravity.