From: gts (gts@optexinc.com)
Date: Mon Sep 16 2002 - 18:19:18 MDT
Mike Lorrey wrote:
> One respondent said that while the keyboard method isn't truly
> random, for all intents and purposes its results cannot be
> distinguished from random, which kinda reminded me of the classic
Clarke
> saying about distinguishing sufficiently advanced technology from
magic.
I was the aforementioned respondent. It is true, without doubt, that
pseudorandom number sequences can be generated that pass all known tests
for randomness. However the question here is how one might generate
genuine random numbers as opposed to pseudorandom numbers. There is a
distinction to be made here between numbers that are apparently
unpredictable but determined and numbers that are both actually
unpredictable and actually undetermined.
In principle, a determined but apparently unpredictable sequence can be
cracked, even if the method necessary to crack the sequence would
require an unrealistic expenditure of effort and resources, and/or
require knowledge of initial conditions that are at present unavailable.
A sequence that is both unpredictable and undetermined would on the
other hand be uncrackable even in principle.
-gts
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