Computer Quote by John von Neumann
“Anyone who attempts to generate random numbers by deterministic means is, of course, living in a state of sin.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: 1950s Computer Science, John von Neumann
Deterministic methods cannot produce true randomness; they inherently lack unpredictability.
In simple terms: Deterministic random numbers are not truly random.
Use true random sources for randomness.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- cryptography
- simulation
- gaming
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is pseudo‑randomness acceptable?
- How to verify randomness quality?
Deterministic generators may be sufficient for low‑stakes tasks.