# What the heck is a futurist?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-a-futurist/363576>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 7, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-a-futurist/363576 "2006-07-07T23:52:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2006, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-a-futurist/363576/21 "2006-07-08T17:02:32Z")

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[QUOTE=ouryL]  
Back in 70’s, a futurist told a radio talkshow host that he had a very very accurate prediction percentage…

25% :eek: :eek: :eek:  
[/QUOTE]

Since most predictors have a batting average of very near 0%, 25% is extremely good.

You’re probably comparing 25% to the 50% of random chance between two choices. But the future consists of a infinite number of choices, making the proper expectation 0%. That’s why any continued success at all would be amazing enough to be worthy of the highest praise.

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