Randomness

In centuries past, before the age of enlightenment, randomness was a nightmare. Throughout its history, the word "random" has had some interesting meanings that became obsolete before the scientific and mathematical meaning became primary. One of these is the degree of elevation of a gun that can be used to maximize the range. Another is the board used by compositors to keep type as pages are made up. These particular randoms, used properly, both kill opponents and facilitate the process of textual composition. The RND found in 10 PRINT operates more in the compositional mode, selecting one of two character graphics for display on the screen via the PRINT command, which was originally made for putting ink on paper. But its presence in the Commodore 64 also has some connections to speed, violence, the military, and laying waste.

In centuries past, before the age of enlightenment, randomness was a nightmare. Throughout its history, the word "random" has had some interesting meanings that became obsolete before the scientific and mathematical meaning became primary. One of these is the degree of elevation of a gun that can be used to maximize the range. Another is the board used by compositors to keep type as pages are made up. These particular randoms, used properly, both kill opponents and facilitate the process of textual composition. The RND found in 10 PRINT operates more in the compositional mode, selecting one of two character graphics for display on the screen via the PRINT command, which was originally made for putting ink on paper. But its presence in the Commodore 64 also has some connections to speed, violence, the military, and laying waste.

The role of randomness in creating patterns and designs, using analog methods of random generation. Burroughs and Cage figure prominently in this history, 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 figure prominently in this history, 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.