[Doctor Stochastic]

An inability to predict future outcomes based on previous results.

Outcomes of indivudual events, of course. Averages of future outcomes (and variances, etc.) may be easily predicable. One cannot predict which radioactive atoms will decay, but one can predict how many will decay in a given time.

Likewise, an English actuary can predict how many people will die during the next year, but not which ones; that would take a Sicilian actuary.

[b_sharp]

IDists and their groupies are always concerned with individual events, such as the probability of a specific sequence occurring.

I'm sure glad you're here. So much bologna is used in place of realistic probability calculations that having an expert to clear up misunderstandings is priceless. (Your puns need work though).

[b_sharp]

"Likewise, an English actuary can predict how many people will die during the next year, but not which ones; that would take a Sicilian actuary."

I hear that the Russian actuaries aim to displace the Sicilians in that field. (Sorry, that one sank as if it was wearing cement boots)

[beaver fever]

"Likewise, an English actuary can predict how many people will die during the next year, but not which ones; that would take a Sicilian actuary."

Very funny.

Don Corleone Inc.

General Insurance and Disposal.