Random Adventures in
Physics and Weirdness
Taner Edis
Department of Physics,
Truman State University
Randomness in physics
• Kinetic theory. Very
complex ~ random.
• Ensembles.
• Statistical physics:
use macroscopic,
statistical variables.
• Strict randomness not
necessary.
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Chaos ≈ Randomness
• Example: can get
diffusion equation from
deterministic microscopic
dynamics. Positive K-S
entropy.
• Can always gather more
information to improve
predictions.
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Quantum randomness
• Probability distributions
are all we can predict.
• Unlike chaos, no
possibility of improving
predictions with further
information.
• “Hidden variables” a
distraction.
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Random = Patternless

Disordered: No correlations. ~ Fair coin
flip. Pass all possible statistical tests.
No predictability. No pattern.

Ordered: Correlated. Has pattern––
predictable.
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Algorithmic randomness
0100011011000111101…
• Kolmogorov, Martin-Löf, Solomonoff,
Chaitin…
• No algorithm correctly gives more than
a finite subset of the infinite sequence.
• = No correlations, fair coin flip, pass all
possible statistical tests.
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Random ~ incompressible
• Complexity ~ cost minimum.
• Algorithmic complexity H(s): minimum
program size required to produce s.
• s = 01010101010101… compressible.
• Incompressible s: H(s) ≈ |s|.
• Random: infinite limit of incompressible
sequences.
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What good is this?
• We already know
how to use probability
and statistics in
physics.
• Weirdness: quantum
mysticism, intelligent
design creationism,
religious physics, etc.
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Quantum consciousness?
• Example: Roger Penrose
in 1990’s. Anti-AI.
• Gödelian arguments:
machines get caught
in ruts.
• Quantum gravity?
Consciousnessmagic? Microtubules?
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Nonalgorithmic thinking
• Plausible: Human thinking is
nonalgorithmic. Gödelian arguments are
right: algorithms do get stuck in ruts.
• Could randomness help? Maximally
nonalgorithmic. Generates novelty;
breaks machines out of ruts.
• Does machine intelligence only require
access to a RNG?
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Combining rules and dice
• Machine with RNG:
combines algorithms with
randomness.
• Every infinite bit sequence
(function) 01001011110…:
s = algorithm +
random part
• Is algorithm always finite?
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Completeness
• Completeness theorem (Edis 1998).
• Combinations of rules and randomness,
where the algorithmic structure is
always finite, describe all bit sequences.
• Machines with RNGs can perform all
tasks not requiring specific random
infinite sequences.
• Gödel does not stand against AI.
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Intelligent design
• William Dembski;
last decade.
• Claim rigorous ID
detection: eliminate
chance (randomness)
and necessity (rules);
left with design.
• NFL theorems.
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The claims of ID
• Mindless physical processes, combining
rules and randomness, cannot achieve
certain outcomes, such as life or mind.
• In particular, the Darwinian combination
of variation and selection is not creative.
• We need something nonphysical (mind,
intelligence) to achieve certain
outcomes (specified complexity).
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Of scientific interest?
• Interesting claim:
Detecting intelligence.
• Proposing new
mathematical tools
done all the time.
• Not obviously crazy.
• Interesting question
about limits of physics.
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Physical explanations
• Combine rules and
randomness––what
has to be listed
explicitly, without a
pattern.
• Is there anything we
see that “chance and
necessity” cannot do?
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Taking ID seriously
• Physicists, biologists,
computer scientists, etc.
address the best of ID.
(Dembski and Behe.)
• Young & Edis, Why
Intelligent Design Fails
(Rutgers UP 2004/6).
• ID fails badly.
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Failed design detection
• Dembski’s math: lots of
technical errors.
• Kolmogorov (algorithmic)
complexity more relevant.
• ID design-detection
proposals overlook
combinations of rules
and randomness.
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Not fixable
• Completeness: No
dependence on specific
random infinite sequence
proposed by ID. (Not
doable: infinite
information.)
• Biology is accessible to
rules and randomness.
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Randomness vs. design
• Misunderstanding of
randomness pervasive in
ID-like intuitions.
• Even among physicists
(e.g. Barr 2009).
• Evidence for design very
unlikely to come from
physics or biology.
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Islamic weirdness
• Antipathy to randomness in
Muslim thinking about
science.
• Islamic countries weak in
science, strong in popular
pseudoscience, including
creationism, ID.
• Also physics abuse.
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Occasionalism
• Medieval theological
objections to natural
causality. Everything
under direct divine
control.
• Today’s pro-technology
pseudoscience. Nur
movement in Turkey.
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Nothing uncaused?
• QM: Uncaused events.
Macroscopic cause-andeffect emerges from
random substrate.
• Islamic QM: No natural
causality, but everything is
caused by God.
• Non New-Age QM abuse.
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No causes to infer
• Random = patternless. No
pattern in data to infer any
causal structure, or
purpose, or intent, or
design, or anything.
• Might still be a cause. But
support must come from
outside of physics.
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Enjoy randomness!
• Quantum mechanics.
• Closely tied to
symmetry. (Dice)
• Symmetry breaking.
The laws of physics
tell us what sort of
dice we roll to
generate universes.
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Books
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Thanks for listening
• Questions?
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