On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything

Studies show that we make approximately 35,000 decisions a day. Luckily, the majority of these are routine and inconsequential. The world will not stop turning if you make a less-than-ideal breakfast choice. But how do we ensure we make the right decision when it really matters? It starts with understanding risk. Professional risk takers—poker players and hedge fund managers, crypto true-believers and blue-chip art collectors—can teach us a lot about navigating the uncertainty of the 21st century. In this presentation, moderated by ISU Professor Dan Nettleton, Nate Silver shares his analytical framework for assessing risk and making data-driven decisions that can give your business a competitive edge in an increasingly uncertain marketplace. 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 in business and in life.

A pioneer in the field of data journalism, Mr. Silver publishes his insights and statistical assessments of cultural phenomena on his popular Substack, “Silver Bulletin,” which has nearly a quarter million subscribers. Mr. Silver founded the award-winning FiveThirtyEight website and served as its editor-in-chief until 2023. Mr. Silver has written two books, “On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything” (2024) and “The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail—But Some Don’t” (2012).

Dan Nettleton is distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Statistics at Iowa State University.  He is a fellow of the American Statistical Association and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  His research has involved data-driven modeling, analysis, and prediction in areas such as molecular biology and sports.

The University Book Store will be onsite 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.