In this podcast episode, the focus is on prediction markets and how they stack up against traditional polls in terms of accuracy and potential uses. Experts delve into how these markets gather diverse information, often leading to predictions that outperform other forecasting methods. The conversation highlights the significance of having "thick" markets—those with many participants who have a vested interest—as well as the challenges posed by manipulation and other ways to aggregate information. Additionally, the episode examines how blockchain technology can boost the reliability and transparency of prediction markets, and discusses exciting future applications in areas like corporate decision-making, scientific research, and journalism.