Prediction

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A prediction, forecast or foretelling is a statement or claim that a particular event will occur in the future in more certain terms than a forecast. The etymology of prediction is Latin (præ-, "before," and dicere, "to say"). Howard H. Stevenson writes: "Prediction is at least two things: Important and hard." Important, because we have to act, and hard because we have to realize the future we want, and what is the best way to get there. Outside the rigorous context of science, prediction is often confused with informed guess or opinion. A prediction of this kind might be valid if the predictor is a knowledgeable person in the field and is employing sound reasoning and accurate data. Large corporations invest heavily in this kind of activity to help focus attention on possible events, risks and business opportunities, using futurists.