Looking for information on 'predicting the future' algorithm

[KatyMan]

I swear I watched a video of some Oxford academic from years ago that said he had some sort of way to predict the future through some sort of algorithm or something. Did I imagine that? I don't really believe that sort of thing is possible but love reading about it (well, don't believe so far). I seem to recall his future was very dark for us. Was it the guy who predicted the 88 year cycles maybe?

Sorry if I'm not making sense, the guy and his work are on the tip of my tongue and I can't find a good way to google without being way to general.

thanks!