One Thing That Real Evolution Can Do Which Simulated Evolution Can't

[Maxwell511]

Same question then - how would you generate a random number purely from math or algorithms but without real life influence?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise#Mathematical_definition

I don't know how to generate x(t) mathematically but I'm sure it is theoretically possible or maybe impossible. This sort of goes beyond my expertise.

Actually I'm going to say it is impossible since it would impossible to produce mathematically the infinite amount of signals required. You could get approximations though.

Edit: Actually, if you just did the inverse Fourier transform of a "flat" function in the frequency domain wouldn't the signal in the time domain not be random?

 

[jwu]

Actually I'm going to say it is impossible since it would impossible to produce mathematically the infinite amount of signals required.

That article is only about the characteristics of white noise, how one recognizes it when one sees it. That's of no use for creating own white noise. One can mimic it with a stream which has similar properties, but that's still just pseudorandom as that stream is generated deterministically.

Actually, if you just did the inverse Fourier transform of a "flat" function in the frequency domain wouldn't the signal in the time domain not be random?

I'm not sure if i understand you correctly...but no, it couldn't possibly be random as the next time you repeat the process you'll get the same result. It's pseudorandomness at best.

 

[Maxwell511]

I'm not sure if i understand you correctly...but no, it couldn't possibly be random as the next time you repeat the process you'll get the same result. It's pseudorandomness at best.

I think the answer is undefined.

 

[dad]

In other words, real life evolution could create a random number generator by evolving a radio receiver, which uses a static signal (which is pretty much random) which it receives as a source of random numbers. In a simulation this couldn't happen. In real life, it is.

Thanks for the tip. I got one of these under my pillow, now, and am hoping one day I can get to work with it's offspring.

(I even have plans eventually for a new Motor City.)

 

[jwu]

Undefined != random

 

[dad]

Undefined != random

Well, maybe if I stick it in a nice rock crack, the random changes will really start to kick in. It could rust in a warm pond.

 

[Maxwell511]

Undefined != random

I know.