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Predictions don’t just forecast the future — they shape it #TEDTalks

What do the story of Oedipus and your insurance premiums have in common? They are both driven by self-fulfilling prophecies. Philosopher and TED Fellow Carissa Véliz traces the hidden power of prediction, from Roman emperors who banned prophets to the AI algorithms quietly making decisions about your life right now. We tend to associate predictions…

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What do the story of Oedipus and your insurance premiums have in common? They are both driven by self-fulfilling prophecies. Philosopher and TED Fellow Carissa Véliz traces the hidden power of prediction, from Roman emperors who banned prophets to the AI algorithms quietly making decisions about your life right now. We tend to associate predictions with knowledge, she says, but they’re actually attempts to grab power. So the next time someone tells you a specific outcome is inevitable, remember: they aren’t describing the future — they’re selling it.

24 Comments

  1. @azimmalpekar9072

    June 9, 2026 at 3:18 pm

    Very alarming

  2. @diegotorres7101

    June 9, 2026 at 3:46 pm

    Protect this Lady at All Costs

  3. @vancejoy3724

    June 9, 2026 at 6:12 pm

    Wow. I’ve thought these thoughts in part, and yet you’ve traveled the road to completion and describe it much more eloquently than I could have. Looking for more of your talks now. Thanks

    • @viirahnaerrahveem867

      June 11, 2026 at 5:13 am

      I’m so glad she can articulate it. Better than people like you or I

  4. @urielpan3260

    June 9, 2026 at 8:47 pm

    Manifestation is not myth word, It’s a real feature for every person who has the Oracle power.

    • @MeenageTutantTinjaNurtle

      June 10, 2026 at 3:00 am

      No

    • @urielpan3260

      June 10, 2026 at 10:07 am

      ​@MeenageTutantTinjaNurtle

      keeping unlimited curiosity might be a challenge work for most of adults.😊

    • @MeenageTutantTinjaNurtle

      June 10, 2026 at 11:57 am

      ​@urielpan3260irrelevant

  5. @Mushicus

    June 9, 2026 at 9:37 pm

    Brilliant

  6. @shadowdance4666

    June 10, 2026 at 1:15 am

    The end of this video is inevitable

  7. @MeenageTutantTinjaNurtle

    June 10, 2026 at 3:00 am

    Predictive programming

  8. @ghouleymule

    June 10, 2026 at 8:40 am

    The more they push. the more i resist

  9. @chrismcknight7164

    June 10, 2026 at 9:11 am

    This is even more relevant with prediction markets

  10. @soft_cactus

    June 10, 2026 at 12:21 pm

    insanely ironic how the video description is ai slop too

  11. @slendernugget125

    June 10, 2026 at 2:37 pm

    Just want to mention here that Ghislaine Maxwell also had a TED Talk.

    • @viirahnaerrahveem867

      June 11, 2026 at 5:14 am

      Bro what what was it

  12. @AmirAxioms

    June 10, 2026 at 4:56 pm

    This fits my theory that something that is at 1,000,000% impossible to happen in actuality is 100% likely now. It’s like a clock it just goes around until it becomes inevitable.

    • @viirahnaerrahveem867

      June 11, 2026 at 5:14 am

      Soooo like the way probability waves work in Rick and Morty? Crazy lol

  13. @jeanmcmonagle7476

    June 10, 2026 at 5:58 pm

    Yes, the Tech Bros. relentlessly selling the AI BS to assure their profits continue while subjugating people, especially in the USA!
    THIS SPEAKER IS SUPERB!!!

  14. @jeanmcmonagle7476

    June 10, 2026 at 5:59 pm

    RESIST, RESIST, RESIST!
    END CITIZENS UNITED!
    VOTE 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

  15. @viirahnaerrahveem867

    June 11, 2026 at 5:13 am

    They’ve already manufactured our consent to never stop with predictions.

    Ever notice how, despite ppl commonly saying how correlation isn’t causation, most people refer to whatever “statistics” are mentioned – without even looking at the studies and methods of getting said statistics?
    Just look out for the next fact you hear from someone. Ask where they got it from. And then think… if they said “I heard this thing on Facebook” as a prefix, would you still listen to it and believe it?

  16. @blessedly4499

    June 11, 2026 at 9:17 am

    Amazing point, thank you 🙏❤

  17. @jrunk42

    June 11, 2026 at 2:44 pm

    Im in love ❤

  18. @laura_YoRHa_2.0

    June 11, 2026 at 8:24 pm

    Star Trek did a great job offering up possibilities that are actually coming true. From touch screen pads (P.A.D.D.’s), to non-invasive surgery, and more, which inspire people today, because Star Trek was about hopefulness, creativity, diversity, and problem-solving. And thus shaping our world with it’s predictions!

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