Review of Randomness by Mark S
From Maze
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(→The emergence of computational randomness in aesthetic design) | (→Chapter Outline) | ||
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We want to avoid the problem faced by the maze chapter, that is, we shouldn't feel compelled to trace the history of randomness throughout the ages. Several recent books already do this (Bennett, 1998; Ekeland, 1996). While we can give a nod to the overall history of randomness, it'd be most productive to focus on two things: the history of randomness and computing, and the history of randomness and aesthetic design. | We want to avoid the problem faced by the maze chapter, that is, we shouldn't feel compelled to trace the history of randomness throughout the ages. Several recent books already do this (Bennett, 1998; Ekeland, 1996). While we can give a nod to the overall history of randomness, it'd be most productive to focus on two things: the history of randomness and computing, and the history of randomness and aesthetic design. | ||
==Chapter Outline== | ==Chapter Outline== | ||
| − | ===Brief, General Introduction to the Power of Randomness=== | + | ===I. Brief, General Introduction to the Power of Randomness=== |
Quickly, in a paragraph or two, summarize the power of randomness in computational and aesthetic realms. | Quickly, in a paragraph or two, summarize the power of randomness in computational and aesthetic realms. | ||
| − | ===Randomness and Aesthetics, Pre-Computing=== | + | ===II. Randomness and Aesthetics, Pre-Computing=== |
The role of randomness in creating patterns and designs, using analog methods of random generation. Burroughs and Cage will figure prominently here, but there are earlier examples, most notably, the 18th century Dominican priest Sebastien Truchet, whose randomly generated Truchet patterns eerily prefigure that pattern produced by 10 PRINT. | The role of randomness in creating patterns and designs, using analog methods of random generation. Burroughs and Cage will figure prominently here, but there are earlier examples, most notably, the 18th century Dominican priest Sebastien Truchet, whose randomly generated Truchet patterns eerily prefigure that pattern produced by 10 PRINT. | ||
| − | ===The emergence of Randomness in Computing=== | + | ===III. The emergence of Randomness in Computing=== |
A central element of this section is the work of John von Neumann, who sought to easily create (pseudo-)random numbers for the purposes of conducting computer simulations of the hydrogen bomb. A key point to tease out here is that the first computer-based random number generators were closely connected to the Cold War. In this way, the RND token is a tiny slice of a much larger shared history between war and computers. This connection has been well-traced out in regards to videogames, but the military's connection to something as simple as RND is something too easily glossed over. What's remarkable, in looking over the early papers discussing random number generation from the fifties and sixties, is that all of them were funded by either the military or the Atomic Energy Commission. | A central element of this section is the work of John von Neumann, who sought to easily create (pseudo-)random numbers for the purposes of conducting computer simulations of the hydrogen bomb. A key point to tease out here is that the first computer-based random number generators were closely connected to the Cold War. In this way, the RND token is a tiny slice of a much larger shared history between war and computers. This connection has been well-traced out in regards to videogames, but the military's connection to something as simple as RND is something too easily glossed over. What's remarkable, in looking over the early papers discussing random number generation from the fifties and sixties, is that all of them were funded by either the military or the Atomic Energy Commission. | ||
| − | ===The emergence of computational randomness in aesthetic design=== | + | ===IV. The emergence of computational randomness in aesthetic design=== |
An early example of this is a 1960 teleplay "written" by a computer at MIT, and then performed on CBS. | An early example of this is a 1960 teleplay "written" by a computer at MIT, and then performed on CBS. | ||
| − | ===The C64 and RND=== | + | ===V. The C64 and RND=== |
In this section we finally discuss the RND function in the context of the C64. How the number is actually generated, the reliability of the randomness, and alternative methods of finding randomness within the C64. | In this section we finally discuss the RND function in the context of the C64. How the number is actually generated, the reliability of the randomness, and alternative methods of finding randomness within the C64. | ||
