The entirety of my objection is to the notion that the word "predicts" implies causation. I didn't read the article closely, and assumed it was talking about correlation primarily because of the title. If the article generally is making stronger claims, by all means object, but object to the right thing. "Predicts" carries no implication of causation. "Poll results predict the election" is making a claim about a correlation. "The weatherman predicts the weather" is making a claim about a correlation. Heck, even "the tarot cards predict the future" is making a (false) claim about a correlation. Correlations are real and useful things that do or don't exist in any given case, and which can be used to make predictions. Where causation is necessary is in predicting the results of a change or intervention. If I publish higher poll numbers, that won't make my candidate win. If I make it rain, that will make there be puddles.
Comments
The entirety of my objection is to the notion that the word "predicts" implies causation. I didn't read the article closely, and assumed it was talking about correlation primarily because of the title. If the article generally is making stronger claims, by all means object, but object to the right thing. "Predicts" carries no implication of causation. "Poll results predict the election" is making a claim about a correlation. "The weatherman predicts the weather" is making a claim about a correlation. Heck, even "the tarot cards predict the future" is making a (false) claim about a correlation. Correlations are real and useful things that do or don't exist in any given case, and which can be used to make predictions. Where causation is necessary is in predicting the results of a change or intervention. If I publish higher poll numbers, that won't make my candidate win. If I make it rain, that will make there be puddles.