Ask HN: What's the difference between machine learning and horoscope?

2 points·megamix··7 comments

Both try to predict the future through seeing patterns. One uses the entire population and the stars while the other a database lookup.

Have a laugh and comment please

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Competing Astrologers might well discuss their "datasets", ask each other how they might interpret or express something. "Machine Learning" seems to be guarded corporate secrets, more often than not. If only to keep other in the company from realizing how little there is beyond soothsaying there.

WE have more astrological data now, and its easier to manipulate; but no one (that I've seen) has yet tried to patch the two together. Surely machine learning techniques can extract as much valid insight from historical star field photos as they can from our click stream data?

I'm not into astrology but I guess since they are humans and want to continue making money they will stop themselves before insulting my intelligence and my wife at the same time?

Edit, referring to my comment from an hour ago about mangling searches, proposing crazy ideas and serving insulting ads: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30022208

As far as the predictions are good, I'm fine.

If you can use your horoscope to predict things with a 95+% accuracy, I am fine with it. You can even do cafeomancia if you want.

Can only think of the latin reductio ad absurdum with regards to your comment, and also laugh about it.

Can you please elaborate? :) Thanks

Horoscopes sometimes work.

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