Derren Brown - The System (Full)

Why HN readers recommended it

HN cites it as the classic demonstration of survivorship and confirmation bias in betting, trading and prediction claims.

This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.

Video & recommendation details

Creator / channel

ScepticaTV

Topic

survivorship bias

Format

documentary

Level

general

HN recommenders in dataset

3

HN mentions in dataset

6

Recommendation years in dataset

2013–2017

These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.

From the original HN conversations

Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.

• This reminds me of Derren Brown's awesome "The System" special: [VIDEO] More info for anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of knowing who Derren Brown is: [LINK] Derren Brown is a British illusionist, mentalist, trickster, hypnotist, painter, writer, and sceptic. He is known for his …

• I don't know if your assessment of the study is valid (it seems a little simplistic to think that they wouldn't account for this to be honest), but what you describe is classic Survivorship Bias. Here's an entertaining video from Derren Brown that shows how …

• For a good example of confirmation bias watch Derren Brown's "The System" [1] where he makes a woman believe an unknown benefactor has a foolproof system for betting on horses. "Mail Order Prophet" [2] by Alfred Hitchock has a similar idea. [1] [VIDEO] ] [2] …