[FRIAM] Why "true" random?

[Douglas Roberts]

Simulations of stochastic processes also require good RN generators,
especially for simulations of large systems with (I hate to use this word)
emergent behavioral properties.  A bad RN generator will introduce emergent
behavior that will be "flavored" by a bad random sequences.


-- 
Doug Roberts, RTI International
droberts at rti.org
doug at parrot-farm.net
505-455-7333 - Office
505-670-8195 - Cell


On 7/20/07, Russell Standish <r.standish at unsw.edu.au> wrote:
>
> Cryptographic applications require true randomness. If your cipher
> used on a pseudo-random number generator, then a cracker discovering
> your algorithm and key has broken your code.
>
> I also have a hunch that genuine randomness is needed for open-ended
> evolutionary systems. Here, the evol algorithm is in the position of
> the code cracker, and once the code is cracked, the evol algorithm
> stops. I had a workshop paper on this in 2004, which has some problems
> with it. The concept is controversial, to say the least.
>
> Cheers
>
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2007 at 10:24:42AM -0600, Peter Lissaman wrote:
> > Why is it important (except intellectually) to have "true"
> randomness???  I very well remember the early, good old, bad old, days of
> Aerospace, in the 50's, when we were really doing practical earthshattering
> things -- like going to the moon -- sans computers!!  The RAND corporation,
> for whom I consulted, published a typed book (size of a Manhattan telephone
> directory) of "random" numbers  for engineering application.  Much
> entertainment was occasioned when, about three months later, they
> distributed a list of "typos" to their original list of random
> numbers.  Today I use homemade random numbers alla time for real problems,
> specifically the actual response of real flight vehicles in real atmospheric
> turbulence.  Flight tests support  analysis, in the sense that what we
> predict is not obviously incorrect.  We have never found it necessary to
> utilize any more "perfectly random" "random" sequences!
> >
> >
> > Peter Lissaman, Da Vinci Ventures
> >
> > Expertise is not knowing everything, but knowing what to look for.
> >
> > 1454 Miracerros Loop South, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
> > TEL: (505) 983-7728 FAX: (505) 983-1694
> > ============================================================
> > FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
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>
> --
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> A/Prof Russell Standish                  Phone 0425 253119 (mobile)
> Mathematics
> UNSW SYDNEY 2052                         hpcoder at hpcoders.com.au
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> FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
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