Is a Model Only a Computer Thing?

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A model very generically is a metaphor that we use to say that one thing is like another thing in order to try to understand the properties of the one thing. So you could say the climate system, the real one is like a climate model in certain ways and it will give us information about that if we sort of extend the metaphor. But the question is, how far can you push that metaphor before it breaks? A photograph is a sort of an invert a commas metaphor in the same way. It is like the subject of the photograph in some ways, but obviously it's not like them in others.

On this episode, Dr. Erica Thompson joins Nate to unpack her recent book Escape From Model Land. Erica explores the pitfalls of conventional science models and the opportunities by which models can augment our imagination and collective understanding. What is a model, and how do our worldviews shape the way they’re made - and conversely, how do they shape our worldviews? How can we rethink and bring creativity into something as scientific as modeling to create maps of the future that are both more accurate and - most importantly - more helpful to planning responses?

About Eric Thompson:

Dr Erica Thompson is a Senior Policy Fellow at the LSE Data Science Institute, where she works on a broad programme of theoretical and practical research about mathematical models, their use, interpretation and social context. She recently authored Escape From Model Land (Basic Books, 2022) which explores the opportunities and challenges of augmenting our imagination about the future with mathematical tools.

For Show Notes and More visit https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/55-erica-thompson