# Pick a Card By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-03-19 At carnivals and casinos, one might hear a barker yell, “Pick a card, any card.” In these occurrences, the cards are spread out face down, and an individual is encouraged to pick a card. This, at least from the perspective of the person selecting the card, is a random selection. Some “trick” typically ensues. But what if the selection process changed? What if all the cards were face up? This would be more revealing. My guess is that this would not be a uniform distribution. The ace of spades and the queen of hearts might be selected many times. The three of clubs, maybe not so much. Everything being equal, which it isn’t, the selection would be nearly uniform. The distribution of selection would likely reveal societal norms. Aces are powerful. Face cards are solid. Higher values are better than lower values. These preferences are well established and would likely influence one’s selection. Even “alternative” selections are well established. Knowing the norm allows one to deviate from it and be part of the counterculture efficiently. Life is full of nonrandom, socially influenced decisions that are presented as simply reflecting the individual's free will. Sure, the individual is selecting and could theoretically select something else. But that individual is selecting within a culture in which the act of participation itself, along with whatever is selected, is culturally mediated. So, step right up and pick a card. #### Related Items [[Norms]] [[Randomness]] [[Process]] [[Society]] [[Freedom]] [[Games]]