E_moat Geek Talk

The Fortune Teller

The Fortune Teller selects three cards in response to the querent's question. The cards are displayed in a table, along with a short explanation and links for more detailed study.

Browser Requirements

The original Fortune Teller required a JavaScript-enabled HTML browser and cookies. The site now uses a Perl script to process the queries and prepare the answer.

Card Selection

Random?

In a "real" card reading it has long been argued that the mental, soulful needs of the querent influence the shuffle of the deck, the cut at just-the-right-card. Pseudo random number generators leave a lot less chance for pyschic interaction.

Perl makes it easy to obtain the current time in seconds, an arguably unpredictable quantity. This "random" number is the basis for choosing the "Past" card. For the current card each letter of the Querent's name is converted to a number. The "2B" card convert's each letter of the Querent's question to a number. Modulo division remainders become the card selections.

Upside down?

Most Tarot interpretations give widely different meanings to cards that are displayed right side up versus those that are upside down. Electronic E_Moation does not include upside down images. Partly this is because HTML does not provide a mechanism for displaying an image upside down. Making upside down copies of every image didn't seem like much fun. Partly it's that the card title is part of each image; reading upside down isn't easy for everybody.

Duplicates

In physical card decks, drawing two Aces of Spades will probably get you shot (or accused of playing Pinochile). In the electronic world it would be easy enough to prevent duplicate selections. Yet allowing duplicates ultimately is beneficial. Duplicates point out concepts needing especially careful study.

What does it all mean?

The images and programs that comprise The Fortune Teller were created with a certain amount of "spiritual" earnestness. The chosen algorithm reveals an answer derived from the input of the Querent. Is then the E_moational answer The Truth? Is electronic "randomness" as pure as dealing physical cards? Is there any oracle whose answers are right?

Let's claim only that The Fortune Teller is an interesting toy. Enjoy and remember: the real challenge with any divination is the interpretation.

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