Why is random a word?

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NHSenior

388 posts since
Nov 23, 2007

30. Nov 30, 2007 3:44 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by pigeye:
Ah, but we do. It is called Quantum Mechanics. <HR>

Is that a monthly or bimonthly publication?

Kawasa

496 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

31. Nov 30, 2007 4:48 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by pigeye:
Ah, but we do. It is called Quantum Mechanics. <HR>

If you can explain it then how is it random?

BrutaI

8 posts since
Sep 23, 2006

32. Nov 30, 2007 5:16 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kawasaki500:
If you can explain it then how is it random?<HR>

Quantum mechanics is a highly successful theory of nature which asserts, among other things, that some events are intrinsically random: that in some situations multiple outcomes are possible from identical initial configurations.

You might imagine that quantum mechanics isn't the whole story, that nature isn't "really" random; there is some hidden state we simply don't have access to that makes everything deterministic. But it turns out that that assumption raises a host of other problems, generally considered more philosophically objectionably than inherent randomness. See e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_locality[/URL" target="_blank"> .

BTW, Einstein agreed with you that "God does not play dice with the universe". Most physicists will say he was wrong.

In any case, randomness is a perfectly fine mathematical concept, useful in any number of applications, completely independent of its embodiment in quantum mechanics.

grimupnorth

251 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

33. Nov 30, 2007 5:18 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by BrutaI:
Quantum mechanics is a highly successful theory of nature which asserts, among other things, that some events are intrinsically random: that in some situations multiple outcomes are possible from identical initial configurations.

You might imagine that quantum mechanics isn't the whole story, that nature isn't "really" random; there is some hidden state we simply don't have access to that makes everything deterministic. But it turns out that that assumption raises a host of other problems, generally considered more philosophically objectionably than inherent randomness. See e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_locality[/URL" target="_blank"> .

BTW, Einstein agreed with you that "God does not play dice with the universe". Most physicists will say he was wrong.

In any case, randomness is a perfectly fine mathematical concept, useful in any number of applications, completely independent of its embodiment in quantum mechanics.

<HR>

Brutal? Is that you?

Ripplerun

292 posts since
Dec 10, 2002

34. Nov 30, 2007 5:24 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kawasaki500:
There's no such thing as random so why is there a word for it?<HR>

Dude....don't bogart that joint!

Kawasa

496 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

35. Dec 20, 2007 6:31 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Ripplerun:
Dude....don't bogart that joint!<HR>

It's no joint, it's six miles of anaerobic exercise.

http://This message has been edited by Kawasaki500 (edited Nov-30-2007).

Ripplerun

292 posts since
Dec 10, 2002

36. Nov 30, 2007 5:29 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kawasaki500:
It's no joint, it's called six miles of anaerobic exercise. <HR>

Aw!

Why do they use sterilized needles for lethal injections?

Kawasa

496 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

37. Nov 30, 2007 5:31 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Ripplerun:
Aw!

Why do they use sterilized needles for lethal injections?

<HR>

I didn't know they did that. Are you an executioner?

Ripplerun

292 posts since
Dec 10, 2002

38. Nov 30, 2007 5:37 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kawasaki500:
I didn't know they did that. Are you an executioner?<HR>

No I'm just throwing some random shlt out there.

Have a great weekend!

Kawasa

496 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

39. Nov 30, 2007 5:39 PM

in response to: Kawasa

My guess would be that it's just easier to get clean needles.

ElDuderino095

276 posts since
Oct 17, 2005

40. Nov 30, 2007 5:47 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by BrutaI:
Quantum mechanics is a highly successful theory of nature which asserts, among other things, that some events are intrinsically random: that in some situations multiple outcomes are possible from identical initial configurations.

You might imagine that quantum mechanics isn't the whole story, that nature isn't "really" random; there is some hidden state we simply don't have access to that makes everything deterministic. But it turns out that that assumption raises a host of other problems, generally considered more philosophically objectionably than inherent randomness. See e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_locality[/URL" target="_blank"> .

BTW, Einstein agreed with you that "God does not play dice with the universe". Most physicists will say he was wrong.

In any case, randomness is a perfectly fine mathematical concept, useful in any number of applications, completely independent of its embodiment in quantum mechanics.

<HR>

.... my head just exploded....

russellm

67 posts since
Oct 19, 2000

41. Dec 1, 2007 12:29 AM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kawasaki500:
There's no such thing as random so why is there a word for it?<HR>

whoa, dude, that's like pretty random, eh.

makeda023

825 posts since
Aug 16, 1999

42. Dec 1, 2007 12:46 AM

in response to: Kawasa

For a while there, I had students who would use the word "random" when they meant "a variety." As in... "So you just tape random TV?"

Iontach

1,522 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

43. Dec 1, 2007 1:49 AM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by BrutaI:
Quantum mechanics <snip><HR>

A late but attractive candidate for Post of the Year.

ljwoodw

550 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

44. Dec 20, 2007 6:31 PM

in response to: Kawasa

quote:<HR>Originally posted by BrutaI:
Quantum mechanics is a highly successful theory of nature which asserts, among other things, that some events are intrinsically random: that in some situations multiple outcomes are possible from identical initial configurations.

You might imagine that quantum mechanics isn't the whole story, that nature isn't "really" random; there is some hidden state we simply don't have access to that makes everything deterministic. But it turns out that that assumption raises a host of other problems, generally considered more philosophically objectionably than inherent randomness. See e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_locality[/URL" target="_blank"> .

BTW, Einstein agreed with you that "God does not play dice with the universe". Most physicists will say he was wrong.

In any case, randomness is a perfectly fine mathematical concept, useful in any number of applications, completely independent of its embodiment in quantum mechanics.

<HR>

Posts: 55
Hmmm?

Anyway, I'll definitely say it annoys me how often people use the word "random", or write sonnets devoted to "randomness" that are so, so deep...

Kawasaki...you know where you're headed with this? To an outright rejection of free will...which is a belief of mine...

http://This message has been edited by ljwoodw (edited Dec-01-2007).

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