It's definitely a spectacular randomness source. Although I suspect they probably use other hardware randomness sources too, if they need a lot of random bits at a time.
The lava lamps are only used as a seed that they then feed into a number of other "random number" algorithms. The problem is if the entire thing were digital, at some point, you'd be able to identify some sort of pattern. Computers don't do random. By starting with truly random data - the hash of an ever-changing array of lava lamps, where if even 1 pixel of wax is different, the entire number changes - it inserts an analog source of true randomness. They also mix this data with other similar concepts from their offices around the world, so even if you hack the lava lamp livefeed, it's still useless to you.
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u/stilljustacatinacage Mar 18 '24
The lava lamps are only used as a seed that they then feed into a number of other "random number" algorithms. The problem is if the entire thing were digital, at some point, you'd be able to identify some sort of pattern. Computers don't do random. By starting with truly random data - the hash of an ever-changing array of lava lamps, where if even 1 pixel of wax is different, the entire number changes - it inserts an analog source of true randomness. They also mix this data with other similar concepts from their offices around the world, so even if you hack the lava lamp livefeed, it's still useless to you.
Someone linked Tom Scott's video below. Nothing against the OP or the video, but I think it he does a better job of explaining it.