The general idea here is probabilities. Consider the emotional and conveyed by linguistics state of the aggregate of humanity as a sea. Something blowing across that sea (a “trend” say) will give rise to waves. Likewise something splashing into it (new info, a revelation, etc…) will create ripples.
In both instances the resulting waves or ripples consist of structures that can be broken down into mathematical constructs and the period heights can be derived. Coupled with physical observations and correlative datasets (more the better) you can get a handle on stuff that even if not detailed, can tell you when to enter/exit markets and where groups are going to be on the rise or decline…
Yet, like an earthquake, you can derive energy released, and pin-point the the source location in 3 dimensions.
Or, ripples from a stone tossed into a pond.
What you can’t do is determine what caused the earthquake or what kind of stone was tossed.
Unless you are the cause or you tossed the stone.
In perspective (50 foot view), baggie is correct.
the 50 foot view is more detailed and can’t be changed by theoretical mathematics.