A Random World

Since when did the word “random” become an accepted way to define people who we are unfamiliar with or don’t know?  We’ve all been guilty of this.  You go somewhere and instinctively scour the room for people that you know or at least recognize.  If a certain number of strangers are in attendance then you will utter the following phrase…“there are a lot of random people in here.”

Why are these people random?  It is because YOU don’t know them.  Think about it. Random is aptly defined as a person, place, or thing that lacks any definite plan, order, or purpose.  We have states of randomness in science and mathematics where certain events can’t be defined or predicted.  There is also a philosophical concept of randomness that describes something which that lacks order, predictability, or even function.

Unfortunately, something doesn’t add up.  That “random” girl at the bar flirting with your boyfriend is actually not random at all.  Her plan is to talk to your boyfriend.  Her purpose is to get your boyfriend’s attention so that he might like her instead of you.  Her overall function or order is to increase her chances of mating by talking to as many attractive males as possible.  What about the “random” people who are always at the club.  Their plan is to enjoy music, conversation, and drinks in a social setting.  Their reason or purpose might be to simply have a good time.  Are these people random?

Now don’t get my argument confused with traditionally correct acts of randomness.  You can randomly find a 20 dollar bill on your way to work.  You can randomly bump into your best friend from pre-school as you head to the gym.  These are certain occurrences that can truly be classified as random.  However, please notice that finding a 20 dollar bill is a random situation.  Or, bumping into an old friend can be a random occurrence.  A situation or occurrence can be random, but are people truly random?  A situation or occurrence can happen without purpose, function, or reason.  But, can an actual person be random?  If so, then who has the power or ability to judge if another person lacks a plan, purpose, or order?

I have a huge problem with society’s willingness to easily label strangers as “random.”  I honestly feel that when we call someone random we actually mean that this person has no definite plan, order, or purpose…that is beneficial to us.  I would even argue that today’s habit of calling people random is actually a subconscious judgement about someone else’s lack of worth, meaning, and even social position.  Calling someone “random” is actually a passive aggressive way to say “I don’t know you. Therefore, you aren’t important.”  The flip side is that we actually allow ourselves to be “random” if we automatically succumb to relative and subjective definitions of whom or what is important. If someone is random to you, then you are random to someone else.

Furthermore, we limit our ability to meet new people, network, and even make new friends.  That “random” guy at the party might be a young entrepreneur that could give you some good tips on how to start a small business.  That “random” girl at the party could be rebounding from a bad relationship and could actually offer some priceless insight on dating and how to find a nice guy.  The “random” geek standing by himself at the party might create a digital social network and become the youngest billionaire in the world.

Ultimately, there is nothing random about success.  It takes hard work, dedication, and diligence to become successful at anything.  Therefore, there is nothing successful about “randomness.”  Every person, place, or thing has some purpose or reason for being here.  Most successful people will notice the worth or value in something while others call it useless or random.  Successful people also understand that great opportunities can result from meeting the most “random” person.  So I encourage you to get out there.  Meet new people and start new conversations.  Forget old enemies and make new friends.  This is not a random world.  Or like one of my favorite quotes simply states, “There is no such thing as a stranger, just people that we haven’t met.”