“Better explanations translate into better predictions“ – Superforecasters author Philip Tetlock on the value of experts

Dominic Cummings used Tetlock's research to justify the hiring of Andrew Sabisky. What does Tetlock himself make of it?

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Dominic Cummings, Special Advisor to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, arrives at Downing Street on February 12, 2020 in London, England.(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Dominic Cummings was asked, as he left for work on Tuesday morning, if he regretted giving the first of his “weirdo” jobs to Andrew Sabisky, a self-proclaimed “superforecaster” whose previous comments to the media included highly controversial views on eugenics and giving psychoactive drugs to all schoolchildren.

“Read Philip Tetlock’s Superforecasters,” responded the Prime Minister’s chief special adviser, “instead of political pundits who don’t know what they’re talking about.”