As a programmer, something ‘random’ happening in code is the worst nightmare. So, for me, the topic of randomness in computer science or coding itself was quite new. Usually, what programmers are obsessed about, is solving why ‘random’ and unexpected things are happening in their projects. So, at the beginning of the video, I was very confused in terms of how randomness can be used in coding.
After the talk, I came to the realization that even with randomness, we’re not just counting on pure luck- we are actively engaged in ‘designing’ with randomness, employing it as a tool to manipulate and shape outcomes according to our intentions. I appreciate how he nuances randomness/chance can be carefully calculated and determined, all while retaining the capacity to yield surprising results.
One question that comes to mind is whether our utilization of randomness can be regarded as an inherently random process as well. Although we don’t have access to the specific codes of the projects shown, it seems like we are trying to use randomness and make it behave in a way that we desired. I am uncertain whether, even in this context, randomness can be construed as entirely uncontrolled or arbitrary.