model-blind-spots

The chapter introduces the concept of mathematical models through the example of baseball defensive shifts initiated by Lou Boudreau and developed into sophisticated predictive analytics in modern baseball. It contrasts these transparent, data-rich models with more problematic models like those used in education, emphasizing that all models are simplifications shaped by their creators' values and data choices. The chapter also explains how informal mental models become formalized and the inherent limitations and blind spots of any model.