Human pseudo-random selection based on word lists (7/15/1997)
It is difficult for humans to pick numbers 'at random' and have them not have a pattern
or irregularities.

Maybe instead there is some mental task one could formulate..

A thought that occured the other day was wordlists.

Instead of trying to pick numbers at random, try to pick a word or list of words at random.
For example, pick 5 words at random.

Now, apply some sort of algorithm to the list of words to get numbers.

I.E. Convert the first letter to a numerical value based on the letter.

A => 1
B => 2
...
Z => 26

Take the sum of the differences in values of the first letter in the wordlist
modulo 10 plus 1 for a pseudo-random number between 1 and 10

This at least makes it difficult for a human to prejudicially pick a certain number in advance.


More complex formulae are also possible, like using some of the words chosen as a
decoder ring or partial translation table for the letters.

i.e. if the word is HELLO then

H -> 1
E -> 2
L -> 3
O -> 4  ¶ 5:36 AM