The willingness of people to trust a random-number generator over a human can be attributed to several factors:
Impartiality: Random-number generators are programmed to produce unbiased and unpredictable results. They do not have emotions, biases, or personal interests that could influence their output. As a result, people often perceive them as more reliable and fair compared to humans, who might be influenced by their feelings, preferences, or conscious/unconscious biases.
Consistency: Random-number generators consistently produce the same result for a given input or seed value. Humans, on the other hand, might not be as consistent due to various factors such as fatigue, distractions, or individual differences. The perceived consistency of a machine-generated random number can enhance trust.
Lack of Manipulation: Since random-number generators are purely algorithmic and lack the ability to manipulate or deceive intentionally, people may feel they have less reason to doubt the results compared to interactions with other humans.
Reputation of Technology: In today's world, technology is often associated with efficiency, precision, and reliability. Random-number generators, as a product of technology, inherit some of this positive reputation, leading people to trust them more readily.
Fear of Human Error: People may fear that humans can make mistakes or intentionally introduce bias, while machines are seen as less prone to error.
Objectivity: Random-number generators are considered objective entities, as they are designed to adhere to predetermined algorithms without personal opinions or judgment.
It's important to note that trust in technology and random-number generators is not universal. Some individuals may still prefer to trust humans, especially in situations where personal judgment, empathy, or critical thinking skills are crucial. Additionally, there are situations where trust in humans is essential, such as in matters of personal relationships, ethics, or when creativity and intuition are required.
Overall, the level of trust in a random-number generator versus a human depends on the context, the individual's experiences, and the perceived reliability of the system being used. In some situations, people may find it easier to trust a machine that is designed for a specific, unbiased task, while in other situations, human interaction and judgment are valued more highly.