The notion of random

[dyresand]

As a example of random let's talk about minecraft or any game really that uses random map generation. 

The idea of a map randomly generating is fascinating but is it truly random? yes and no. Yes in a since that

you get this map at random and no as it this map more than likely one of the many possible map combinations the

software can generate. In minecraft you enter a string of numbers and letters even special characters to generate a map.

That string itself when inputted will generate a map when used on another computer you get the same map so the idea of 

minecraft map  generation being random more or less again falls into the yes and no you are just loading a  possibility.

So the idea of random and a dice roll there is many variables one would have to calculate to see what number they would 


get if they rolled a certain way. Outside of a dice roll are we random or not that would be yes we are random don't ask silly questions.

But what about AI they certainly are getting smarter the MIT AI has the intelligence of a 4 year old.  So a AI it has intelligence 

do we know if the AI is bound to randomness or not? more than likely not and at the same time yes.

[Joods]

I love the randomness of this thread. Can't wait to see where it ends up.

And yeah, I totally get the whole minecraft example. My three kids who play, got me addicted to that damn game.

[Alex K]

Pigs should be kept in groups
00001640007503893353330059
pigs

[robvalue]

As far as I know, computer generated random numbers are actually psuedo-random and not genuinely random.

[Angrboda]

It's a floor wax and a dessert topping!

[TheRealJoeFish]

You can do it like random.org does: use a natural process that's easily detectable but not easily understandable. Random.org actually collects atmospheric radio noise and uses that as the input into the desired formula. Because atmospheric radio noise is essentially random, and is certainly not predictable to humans, the outputs are essentially random as well.

Of course, if you're not connected to a natural input, you need a pseudorandom number generator. I want to write a lot about this but I am at work so if I get a chance later I will try to help discuss!

[bennyboy]

I don't think it's really that big a deal to randomize numbers: you just need any kind of external input to form the seed.

If I wanted random, I'd probably make a function on the milliseconds between key clicks while a user enters his username or something. That is sufficiently unpredictable.