Assessing risk and making data-driven decisions are focus of ISU lecture

AMES, Iowa — Research suggests the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions each day. Most of those choices are routine and barely noticed — choosing what to eat for breakfast, for instance, won’t alter the course of the day. 

But when the stakes are higher, how do we make the right call? According to statistician and author Nate Silver, the answer often lies in how we understand and manage risk.

Silver will discuss this and other topics from his recent book, “On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything,” during an in-person, moderated conversation at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Memorial Union Great Hall. The event is free and open to the public. 

Known as a leading political forecaster with a statistics-driven approach, Silver first gained national attention during the 2008 presidential election when he correctly predicted the results of the primaries, and the presidential winner in 49 states. In 2012, he called 50 of 50 states.

Drawing from his work as both a leading statistician and professional poker player, Silver empowers audiences with strategies to confidently chart a course for success. Also considered a pioneer in the field of data journalism, he publishes his insights and statistical assessments of cultural phenomena on his Substack, “Silver Bulletin,” and is the founder of the award-winning FiveThirtyEight website.

The University Book Store will be on-site selling "On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything" at the event. 

This lecture recording can be found on the Available Recordings page approximately two business days after the event and will remain accessible for three weeks. 

The event is sponsored by Ivy College of Business; Student Innovation Center; departments of statistics, economics and political Science; Cyclone Civics; Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics; Patricia Miller Memorial Lectures Fund; George Gund Lectures Fund; University Library and the lectures committee, which is funded by student government.