The Rest Is Science Why Your Brain Sees Patterns in Randomness
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Jan 20, 2026 Ever wondered what randomness truly means? Dive into the fascinating debate on whether it’s just a label for our ignorance. Discover how even the chaotic digits of Pi can reveal hidden patterns. Explore the interplay between probability, entropy, and human perception as we seek meaning in randomness. Learn how large-scale patterns emerge from chaos, and why the universe's initial fluctuations sparked the formation of galaxies. This discussion reveals that understanding randomness could unlock the keys to complexity and even consciousness.
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Scratch Cards Demonstrate Perceived Chance
- Hannah Fry brought scratch cards to illustrate chance and differing prize structures.
- They discuss how ticket price and prize structure change perceived chances and value.
Randomness Versus Entropy
- Randomness means outcomes are unpredictable, not necessarily equally likely across options.
- High entropy sequences are harder to compress and communicate than low entropy ones.
Meaning As Compressed Information
- Meaning compresses and discards information while retaining reference.
- Michael Stevens: meaning is what happens when information is discarded but can be put back in.
