iTunes: Just how random is random?

By David Braue on 08 March 2007

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Comment on "iTunes: Just how random is random?"

User name: Gelf

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Comments: Humans find patterns in randomness. It would be more surprising if you could find no pattern at all.

You have already invented a conspiracy surrounding the music's publishing label, completely oblivious to the fact that there is no evidence iTunes even knows a track's label. You might as well look for a pattern of artist hair colors. You'd find one, by the way, using your test protocol.

One good way to check yourself would be to run the test again now that you have committed yourself, in print, to certain alleged preferences in iTunes. Stop looking for just any pattern you may happen to stumble upon and try to reproduce those specific ones you've already claimed. You will likely surprise yourself. You will see other "patterns," but not the precise behavior you think you have already identified.

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