[davidgow77]

The complexity and random arguements can be summarised as follows.

NOTHING is actually random.... its just that within a given system, if there are too many variables to take into consideration with current algorithmic techniniques, then the outcome of any process seems unpredictable. Alogorithmic Info Theory asserts that where our methods of computation are inadequate, we will not be able to develop a an algorithm to accurately predict outcomes.... so the outcome is PERCEIVED as being random. Say for example that a new mathematical law is discovered that allows a previously random process to be shown as predictable... Algorithmic Info Theory asserts that this is possible, and indeed happens regularly. The basis for this arguement is that new laws and understandings of processes are required to diseminate the randomness of given processes... so POTENTIALLY nothing is random, its just way too complictaterd to make sense of (thats how I define "random").

Hope this helps......

DG

[harmonygirl]

Thanks David, that does indeed help! I can get on board with the the idea that nothing is random. It was the link between randomness and complexity that boomeranged last night but I think your points very neatly address that.