Premium Only Content

Probability-based random text generation
In this video I show you a Python implementation of a 1983 article by Brian Hayes from the "Scientific American" magazine called "A progress report on the fine art of turning literature into drivel".
Using weighed probabilities and random number selections, it is possible to generate a mashed up version of an input text.
The simplest data structure to use in this case is a matrix, however, as you'll find out in the video, there are certain limitations.
Links to the article:
- https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/A-progress-report-on-the-fine-art-of-turning-into-Hayes/066a55a3ca5fa9b38106bb29bcb5c4dd2b30d9e7
- http://bit-player.org/wp-content/extras/bph-publications/SciAm-1983-11-Hayes-drivel.pdf
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/computer-recreations-1983-11/
Source code:
Example using "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare" by Project Gutenberg, on 32GB RAM:
```
order: 7
length: 512
seed: 'FAST E'
---
fast eyes into his grave died for a scottish spring my lord are in the banquo o banquo lennox no indeed and he so thou meets and clarence warwick out ripe in my heels for this shall did makes me it sufficient kneels caesars prevent my lips have our dancer speaking forth the word edward of my noble duke's best save my lord a black neer lusts were buried away confidence with the glass yet he hath he bids the marketplace have been is stopp'd protest in thy affairs fram'd and they're welcome my name of hogs antonio y
```
Another example using "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll
```
time ./generative_web.py 7 256 "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ElizaLo/Machine-Learning/master/Text%20Generator/alice_in_wonderland.txt"
order: 7
length: 256
seed: 'ACK TO'
---
ack to the thought alice's right eagerly that she was at the fifth bend about like' said the considered audibly what would do to be treacle from the three or might as usual come back at last word two as there's an atom of a tremble all moved on the trial' stupid
---
real 0m1.858s
user 0m1.486s
sys 0m0.220s
```
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:35 Alphabet selection
1:00 Frequency counting
1:16 Random number selection based on weighed probability (1st order)
1:31 2nd order
1:58 nth order and memory problems
2:43 Sparse matrix as a possible solution to the memory problem
2:58 generative.py script explanation5:08 generative.py script execution
5:31 generative_web.py script explanation
6:24 generative_web.py script execution
6:34 Outtro
#textgeneration #python #matrix
-
1:01:38
TheCrucible
3 hours agoThe Extravaganza! EP: 34 (9/09/25)
57.3K11 -
LIVE
Quite Frankly
5 hours ago3I/ATLAS Space Invasion & Other Strange Stories | Ryan Gable 9/9/25
585 watching -
2:02:27
Redacted News
4 hours ago"This is an ACT OF WAR!" Israel Bombs Qatar - Middle East Descending into Chaos | Redacted
102K106 -
53:14
Candace Show Podcast
3 hours agoBecoming Brigitte: The God Of Amiens.
52.2K91 -
0:31
Danny Rayes
1 day agoThis Company is Cooked 😨
10.4K1 -
LIVE
Wayne Allyn Root | WAR Zone
6 hours agoWAR Zone LIVE | 9 SEPTEMBER 2025
116 watching -
1:14:54
vivafrei
5 hours agoCash for Criminals? Did Judge Wrongly Release Accused Murderer? Epstein Doc Release! Swalwell Sucks!
89.4K39 -
2:02:47
The Quartering
6 hours agoToday's Breaking News! Greta FAKES Drone Attack, Animal Cruelty Spike & Cracker Barrel
111K49 -
1:15:17
Awaken With JP
6 hours agoKaren Strikes Again, There is No Crime, Communism Succeeds! - LIES Ep 107
53.6K29 -
39:11
Stephen Gardner
4 hours ago🔥Trump TAKES ACTION as Democrats ABANDON Party!
36.2K30