Is randomness real?

The simple and quick answer is NO. There is no thing as “random”. It is all destiny and it is very much pre-defined. Let me explain this.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines "random" as "Having no definite aim or purpose; not sent or guided in a particular direction; made, done, occurring, etc., without method or conscious choice; haphazard." This concept of randomness suggests a non-order or non-coherence in a sequence of symbols or steps, such that there is no intelligible pattern or combination.

This very definition above explains that there is no such thing as “something happening at random”. End result of every act is pre-defined. Let us take a simple example of a die being thrown. A die can take any of the 6 possibilities. However, the possibility of outcome is very much defined at the beginning itself. For simplicity sake, we can consider it to be when the person throwing the die picks it to throw. The force with which he throws, the way he holds it, actually defines the final outcome. If we can simulate the exact scenario, we must be able to replicate the results again and again, which proves the point that nothing is random. Only reason, why we feel the outcome is random is, we human beings do not have the capability to foresee it. It is as simple as that.

Let me take another example of a person winning a lottery. Here again, the number being picked up is pre-defined. One aspect we need to realize here, is  that the possibility of picking a specific number is one among the total present. However, the way by which the lot is shuffled, the way it is being picked up etc clearly defines the final outcome. Here as well, we can predict its final outcome.

Why are we not able to predict the final outcome?

It is just our incapability. We human beings are not tuned to be able predict the final outcome. Or may be it is too much effort for us to predict.

And, this is obvious reason; a computer cannot really generate a true random number (in case you are not aware). We always try to fool the system by changing the seed value.

Having explained the topic, the most important question that I have would be, "What is our destiny or what is the purpose of our life?". I tend to believe, each living being is born with a purpose. Many of us realize it, many think they have realized it, many think they will realize it some day and the remaining are not aware of such a thing and leaves it to destiny (Did I get into an infinite loop here...).