James Drogan

This morning, Wired News: Top Stories brought The End of Theory: The Data Deluge Makes the Scientific Method Obsolete.

The argument seems to be that with enormous amounts of data and computational power one can discern patterns.  That patterns predict other patterns and that this is enough.  Causalities are no longer required.

I find this troubling on two counts.  The first, is that I am long steeped in the scientific method.  Determinism is important.  I try not to let this experience close my mind to new ideas.

The second is that in connection with building a new graduate class, System Design and Control, I have deeply immersed myself in business dynamics (Forrester, Sterman, Senge) which is very much about causality.

I'm troubled by the notion that the why behind the what (the pattern) may no longer matter.  If that is true, then how can I reproduce the pattern?  How can I be proactive?