Thread: Is random really random?

Originally Posted by Savions

to understand randomness you first need to understand what the word random really means

when we speak about getting a random number, we actually mean to retrieve a number without method or conscious decision from a set of numbers that share the same frequently

so yes, in a perfect world using an algorithm multiple times (let's say an infinity amount of times) will result in a set of numbers that all have the same frequently of appearing without any sort of noticeable relation (thus emulating 'randomness')

now when do we achieve true 'randomness'? we do that when we are able to create an algorithm that is both impossible to reverse and non-biased towards any values; however, as pointed out in the link scu11 has posted, true randomness has proven to be hard to achieve

hopefully this answers your question

Fuck off nerd

<,<.

Random is NEVER random

The term “random” has lots of meanings. Some are useful. Often, random just means “unknown” or “unpredictable.” Not bad but not very precise.

Some terms “Random Variable” have nothing to do with randomness; it’s a synonym for “Measurable Function.”

One can compute (some) things such as averages by measuring “enough” of an object. Fortunately there are theorems which lead to procedures for doing this effectively. I like to think of this as “randomness by saturation”; one knows enough to get answers.

There is (in physics) another type of randomness that occurs simply because of the existence of atoms and molecules. Small particles of dust or pollen can be observed to jump around rather irregularly. A botanist (Robert Brown in 1827) observed this phenomenon. It was finally described by Albert Einstein in 1905. Mathematically, the particles do not have a velocity; they are bounced around by varying numbers of atoms and molecules in a manner that seem to fit what one means by “random.” One interest point is that one cannot measure the location of the particles because a small probe would be subject to the same “random” collisions with molecules. (This has nothing to do Heisenberg or anything quantum mechanical; it only has to do with the existence of tiny particles.)

There is one type of “real” randomness that occurs. Quantum mechanics has some random choices. One can’t really get around this feature such attempts either predict violations of well-established experiments or they are subject to their own random choices.

Sometimes, “random” is used to mean “unpredictable” but they are distinct. Unpredictable has the hidden question of ,“By whom?” There are computations whose outcome is unpredictable if one doesn’t have a powerful enough computer (really, if one doesn’t have enough money to pay for the computation.) A combination lock that takes more than a couple of days to open may be considered random from the point of view one trying to break in.

the real random in this thread is OP

Originally Posted by Zac S

Random is NEVER random

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i Think everything happens for a reason.

Originally Posted by Panda

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i Think everything happens for a reason.

agreed, bugd don't just randomly crawl and humans randomly walk... there are reasons for such things