Random Errors and the Event Horizon

 Random Errors and the Event Horizon

Janpha Thadphoothon

Some of the most profound questions in life come to us unexpectedly, often when we are unprepared to grapple with their depth. Many years ago, I had the privilege of conversing with two remarkable individuals whose insights shaped my understanding of randomness, design, and the nature of the universe.  

The Statistician and Random Errors  

The first individual was an expert in statistics. He once posed a question about the random error in a language (English) test I had designed. At the time, I was young and inexperienced, and I could only respond with confusion. Thankfully, he was kind, acknowledging my ignorance without judgment.  

It took me years to fully appreciate his question. I later learned that in measurement theory, a true score equals the measured score plus errors, which can be classified into two types: random errors and systematic errors. While systematic errors follow a predictable pattern, random errors are, by their nature, unpredictable and scattered.  

At the philosophical plane, the concept of randomness is intellectually stimulating. It raises questions about whether chaos truly governs the universe or whether what appears random is part of a grander design. Physicist Roger Penrose suggested that the universe might not be a product of random chance but rather of design—or something beyond our current comprehension.  

I cannot claim to have an answer to such a monumental question. However, one thing is clear: when randomness approaches zero, we encounter the realm of absolutes or singularities—a point where certainty reigns, much like the event horizon of a black hole. At this boundary, the status of things teeters in a gray zone, neither fully defined as "0" nor "1."  

The Engineer and the Event Horizon  

The second individual was an engineer specializing in telecommunications. We met at the university canteen, where I had the chance to read one of his papers on event horizons. He explained to me that in certain systems, signals encoded in the "gray areas" between 0 and 1 are secure from hacking. His work left me puzzled, as I lacked the technical background to fully grasp his ideas.  

What intrigued me, however, was his description of the "gray area" as a zone of uncertainty and transition. At the boundaries—whether in black holes or in data encoding—the usual rules break down, and we confront a state of liminality. It is a state where definitions blur and possibilities multiply.  

Randomness or Design: A Personal Choice  

This brings me back to the question that lingers: is the universe a product of randomness or design? Perhaps the answer lies within us. If you choose to see the universe as designed, you might find evidence to support that belief. If you see it as random, you might be equally justified.  

After all, we are products of this universe, composed of atoms and molecules that themselves are the outcomes of countless interactions. In a way, we embody both randomness and design—a balance of chaos and order.  

Einstein once remarked, "God does not play dice with the universe," suggesting a deterministic view of existence. Yet he also said that perhaps even God had no choice. These ideas remind us that the boundary between randomness and design may be as fluid as the event horizon, where clarity dissolves into mystery.  

In the end, the question of randomness versus design might not demand an answer. Instead, it invites us to marvel at the complexity of existence and our role within it.  

Janpha Thadphoothon is an assistant professor of ELT at the International College, Dhurakij Pundit University in Bangkok, Thailand. Janpha Thadphoothon also holds a certificate of Generative AI with Large Language Models issued by DeepLearning.AI.