Can the mind generate random numbers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the concept of whether the human mind can generate random numbers, examining the nature of randomness in human thought and the limitations of both human cognition and software-based random number generators. It includes theoretical considerations, personal reflections, and references to psychological phenomena such as dreams.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that true randomness cannot be achieved by the human mind, as it is inherently pattern-seeking.
  • Others propose that while humans may not generate truly random numbers, their outputs could be more random than those produced by software algorithms.
  • A participant questions the distinction between the conscious and subconscious mind in generating random numbers.
  • Some argue that dreams are not random but rather a combination of memories and themes, which reflects a non-random process.
  • There is a suggestion that human-generated randomness could be influenced by external factors, such as timing in physical actions (e.g., clicking a button).
  • A participant references the concept of "Patternicity," suggesting that humans have a tendency to find patterns even in random data.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of using human-generated randomness in cryptographic applications.
  • There are references to studies and articles that explore the nature of dreams and their relation to randomness, with differing opinions on whether dreams can be considered random.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the ability of the human mind to generate random numbers, with no consensus reached on the nature of randomness in thought or dreams.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include the lack of empirical evidence for claims about randomness in human thought, the dependence on subjective interpretations of dreams, and unresolved questions about the definitions of randomness and pattern recognition.

  • #61
Wolfram Mathword says:

A random number is a number chosen as if by chance from some specified distribution such that selection of a large set of these numbers reproduces the underlying distribution. Almost always, such numbers are also required to be independent, so that there are no correlations between successive numbers. Computer-generated random numbers are sometimes called pseudorandom numbers, while the term "random" is reserved for the output of unpredictable physical processes. When used without qualification, the word "random" usually means "random with a uniform distribution." Other distributions are of course possible. For example, the Box-Muller transformation allows pairs of uniform random numbers to be transformed to corresponding random numbers having a two-dimensional normal distribution.
 
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  • #62
I don't think randomness is possible, in any regard. Something that seems random is merely because we are unaware of the causal history of the outcome.

Yes I am aware of quantum mechanics... I still don't believe in true randomness, I believe we have more to learn.
 

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