From: gts (gts@optexinc.com)
Date: Tue Sep 17 2002 - 18:10:24 MDT
Eugene,
You mentioned in a previous message that there is to your knowledge no
natural source of 100% entropy. While I did not disagree with that
statement, it nevertheless struck me as odd. I was thinking about it
today, and I think I understand now why your statement seemed odd:
A 100% reliable source of 100% entropy cannot exist, even in principle.
It is therefore pointless to speak of such a source, much less seek one.
Entropy, as you know, is a measure of a system's disorder.
Let us say that we have a thoroughly shuffled deck of cards, i.e., a
deck of cards in completely random sequence. We then deal the cards out
onto a table, side by side.
There is a high probability that there will be patterns in the cards.
Let us say for example that three aces appear in sequence in our row of
52 cards.
Those three aces are a pocket of order in an otherwise disorderly
sequence. Because of that pocket of order, the entropy of the system
will be less than 100%.
Because there is always a probability > 0 that orderly patterns will
appear in any random sequence, it is not possible for reliable sources
of 100% entropy to exist anywhere in the universe.
The best we can hope to find is a source that approaches 100% entropy,
such as numbers derived from truly random processes like radioactive
decay.
Let me know if your understanding is different.
-gts
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