Nov 9, 2006

Why random walk?


I know that many of you would have got the question why I have chosen 'Random walk' as the title for my blog. Only once I was asked that question; I was thinking of writing about it for quite sometime.. Anyway, here is why my blog is named so..
* The obvious guess is, it talks about the randomness of the topics of my posts. That is the primary reason.
*In addition, there ia a strong scientific reasoning as well.. in my area of polymer science, the theory of 'random walk model' is used to calculate the average end-to-end distance/length of a long chain of polymer. In this model, the 'random walk' is taken by a 'drunkard' ;) (equivalent to an active growing polymer chain-end).
* Since it is strongly based on probability, the 'next move' in a random walk is totally unpredictable, and no direction gets a preference over the other. I try to do the same by not writing on the same topic for 2-3 consecutive posts.
* Wiki cites some interesting applications of the theory of 'random walk' in other areas, such as..
#In psychology, random walks explain accurately the relation between the time needed to make a decision and the probability that a certain decision will be made. (How is itt??)
# In vision science, fixational eye movements are well described by a random walk.
# Random walk is used to model gambling. (how about making some moolah, guys?)
# During World War II a random walk was used to model the distance that an escaped prisoner of war would travel in a given time. (ada paavigalaa...)

10 comments:

KK said...

Ippadilam yosichu peru vecheengala??? chance'e illai!!! :)

Janani said...

Deivameeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Unga blog ku enn intha peru nu keta maha paavi yaaru? Ithu padichutu ennaku physics (A subject I hate)subject book padicha madiri irundhudu.

S.G.Ramkumar said...

" Since it is strongly based on probability, the 'next move' in a random walk is totally unpredictable, and no direction gets a preference over the other. I try to do the same by not writing on the same topic for 2-3 consecutive posts."

which means your next post is not as the previous...predictable? just kidding...

Good name to choose by a POLYMER CHEMIST

S.G.Ramkumar said...

you had done an excellent survey and quoted the most interesting.. Thanks for the post, I am now studying random walk model..

Raju said...

KK, pinne? peru vaikkiradhunna chumma-va? This blog is like my baby... so obviously adhukku peru vaikkumbodhu yosichuthaney vaikkanum.. ;)
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Janani, LOL... Physics is close to my heart.. Romba aruthuttenna mannichurunga.. :)
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Ram, thats why i wrote "2-3 consecutive posts.." 2 is sometimes allowed.. 3 very rarely.. since the probability that three steps are in the same direction is very low, but still finite... ;)

Thanks for ur compliments, mate... :)

tt_giant said...

yengey sellum indha paaadhai!

Me too said...

I literally translated it as "kaal(manam) pona pokku"! Wherever your leg takes you and the thoughts that come associated to it!! he he!!

And like you, I too try not to be repetitive with my blog topics!

Sara said...

Neengha oru sirpi mathiri, ennama perraiyaae sethuki irukingha

Anonymous said...

M. F. Hussain hung white cloths and spread tons and tons of newspaper in Jenhagir museum in a pompous display of his artistic genius and called it 'shvetambari.' Some people saw 'sublimity and serenity' and some people saw what it really was 'white cloth hanging over newspapers.' I loved the title and would have used it myself before this post. Ha ha, rude me!

Raju said...

Deepak, LOL.. kalakkal paattu for this post.. Ninaichu ninaichu sirichenn.. :)
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Aparna, Yeah, kaal pona pokku, indeed.. True. Neengalum adhey principle vachirukkeengala? Interesting..
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Sara, Welcome here..
Sirpi-ya? Appadi ellam illeenga.. Just naan padichadhai en blog title-ku use pannikkitten.. Danks for the uvamai.. :)
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Sanjay, interesting news on Hussain.. Too much..

There are others too in the blog world, who have labelled theirs as mine.. I donno how many were influenced by the 'random walk' model..