The video is a discussion between Michael and Derek on the concept of randomness. They start by exploring the idea of randomness, stating that if something is unpredictable and contains no recognizable patterns, we call it random. They argue that coin flips and dice rolls, while appearing random, are actually influenced by our ignorance of the initial conditions and the forces that play during the flip or roll.
They then introduce the concept of true randomness, which they argue is difficult to identify. They mention the example of YouTube URLs, which are mostly random but occasionally produce patterns. They argue that randomness is easier to disprove than to prove.
The video then delves into the historical evolution of the term "random", tracing its origins from the 1300s when it meant running or moving at great speed, to the 1800s when it took on a mathematical definition. They discuss how the term has evolved to mean strange or unpredictable, and how this has led to the non-statistical use of the word "random" to describe predictable events.
They then discuss the concept of quantum mechanics and its implications for randomness. They argue that quantum mechanics may have our answer to true randomness. They mention the experiments with entangled particles and how they violate Bell inequalities, suggesting that the chance of seeing particular quantum qualities doesn't pre-exist and only happens when we observe them.
In conclusion, they argue that true randomness doesn't mean anything and that for us to have meaning, we need structure and predictability. They invite viewers to explore this further on their channel, Veritasium.
1. The conversation starts with Michael and Derek discussing the concept of randomness.
2. They begin by exploring the idea of randomness through a coin toss, using the Australian 50 cent coin as an example.
3. They mention that coin flips and dice rolls are not truly random but are only perceived as such due to our ignorance of their initial conditions.
4. They discuss the possibility of predicting the outcome of a coin flip or dice roll if we knew every initial condition, exact forces, and properties involved in the flip or roll.
5. They mention the existence of coin flipping robots that can precisely control a flip to get the result they want 100 percent of the time.
6. They introduce the concept of 'ransmart', a term they use to describe the process of trying to avoid randomness and instead predict outcomes.
7. They discuss the idea of randomness in the context of YouTube URLs, stating that a unique URL is made for every uploaded video.
8. They mention that randomness is difficult to identify and is easier to be certain that something is not random than that it is.
9. They discuss the non-statistical use of the word 'random', pointing out that things we call random are often predictable.
10. They mention that the use of the word 'random' has evolved over time, with its original meaning in the 1300s referring to running or moving at great speed.
11. They discuss the use of the word 'random' in the 1800s, when it took on a particular mathematical definition.
12. They mention the popularization of the use of the word 'random' to simply mean strange in the 1970s by MIT's student paper.
13. They discuss the increasing use of the word 'random' to describe unrelated events or combinations of things, arguing that these things are determined rather than random.
14. They discuss the use of a die, noting that while it rolls a five most of the time, it is still random.
15. They mention that dice and coins, despite being extremely sensitive to their initial conditions, exhibit certain biases over time, making them less random than one might think.
16. They discuss the properties of US nickel coins, stating that they are just the right diameter and thickness to land on their side about once every six thousand times they are flipped.
17. They discuss the concept of 'fairness' in coin flipping, noting that the side facing up before the flip begins doesn't actually have a fifty percent chance of being the result.
18. They discuss the idea that to get a coin flip to be as fair as possible, it should be caught in the hand and not allowed to hit the ground, bounce, tumble, and spin.
19. They mention that even if we knew every initial condition of a coin flip or a die roll, we could theoretically calculate their outcome.
20. They discuss the concept of 'random.org', a service used to generate a random number using atmospheric noise.
21. They introduce the concept of quantum mechanics as a potential source of true randomness, stating that it describes the properties of quantumly sized things as probabilities, not because we don't know enough yet to be certain or predict, but because there's nothing there to predict.
22. They mention the idea that the spin of a radioactive atom or an electron is only knowable once we look, and that they are determined by a deep-seated randomness woven into the universe itself.
23. They discuss the concept of entangled particles, stating that their behaviors are determined when we look at them.
24. They conclude by stating that the chance of seeing particular quantum qualities doesn't pre-exist and happens when you look