Pseudo-Random Number Generators for Vector Processors and Multicore Processors

Large scale Monte Carlo applications need a good pseudo-random number generator capable of utilizing both the vector processing capabilities and multiprocessing capabilities of modern computers in order to get the maximum performance. The requirements for such a generator are discussed. New ways of avoiding overlapping subsequences by combining two generators are proposed. Some fundamental philosophical problems in proving independence of random streams are discussed. Remedies for hitherto ignored quantization errors are offered. An open source C++ implementation is provided for a generator that meets these needs

Why are cultures warlike or peaceful? Test of regality theory on 186 non-industrial societies

Regality theory is a theory saying that people show a preference for strong leadership in times of war or collective danger, but a preference for an egalitarian political system in times of peace andRegality theory is a theory saying that people show a preference for strong leadership in times of war or collective danger, but a preference for an egalitarian political system in times of peace and safety. These psychological preferences in individuals are reflected in the political structure and culture of the society. A society in danger will develop strong nationalism, discipline, strict religiosity, strict sexual morals and perfectionist art. A society in peace will develop in the direction of egalitarianism and tolerance. The article is both theoretical and experimental. Regality theory is explained and the theoretical basis of the theory is extended with contributions from evolutionary game theory, biological life history theory and ecological theory. The predictions of social-level effects of collective danger are tested by various statistical methods exploring the relationship between intergroup conflict and a number of indicators of social structure and culture in 186 non-industrial societies of the past based on data from Murdock and White's standard cross-cultural sample as well as a subsample based on ethnographic records. It is confirmed that a high level of intergroup conflict is connected with a hierarchical political system, a strict and punitive justice system, a strict religiosity, a high feeling of group identity, strict sexual morals, a higher workload on children, and embellished and perfectionist artistic expressions. Four other predicted effects do not show statistical significance. Intragroup conflict influences sexual morals but not the other cultural variables. It is also found that the level of conflict can be predicted from environmental and technological factors. Regality theory is compared with authoritarianism theory and various cultural theories. While some of these theories appear to describe related or identical phenomena, it is found that regality theory is the theory that best predicts the statistical results. Regality theory has important applications in both the natural and the social sciences, including the study of many psychological, political and cultural phenomena

Warlike and Peaceful Societies

"Are humans violent or peaceful by nature? We are both. In this ambitious and wide-ranging book, Agner Fog presents a ground-breaking new argument that explains the existence of differently organised societies using evolutionary theory. It combines natural sciences and social sciences in a way that is rarely seen. According to a concept called regality theory, people show a preference for authoritarianism and strong leadership in times of war or collective danger, but desire egalitarian political systems in times of peace and safety. These individual impulses shape the way societies develop and organise themselves, and in this book Agner argues that there is an evolutionary mechanism behind this flexible psychology. Incorporating a wide range of ideas including evolutionary theory, game theory, and ecological theory, Agner analyses the conditions that make us either strident or docile. He tests this theory on data from contemporary and ancient societies, and provides a detailed explanation of the applications of regality theory to issues of war and peace, the rise and fall of empires, the mass media, economic instability, ecological crisis, and much more. Warlike and Peaceful Societies: The Interaction of Genes and Culture draws on many different fields of both the social sciences and the natural sciences. It will be of interest to academics and students in these fields, including anthropology, political science, history, conflict and peace research, social psychology, and more, as well as the natural sciences, including human biology, human evolution, and ecology.

Warlike and Peaceful Societies: The Interaction of Genes and Culture

Are humans violent or peaceful by nature? We are both.In this ambitious and wide-ranging book, Agner Fog presents a ground-breaking new argument that explains the existence of differently organised societies using evolutionary theory. It combines natural sciences and social sciences in a way that is rarely seen.According to a concept called regality theory, people show a preference for authoritarianism and strong leadership in times of war or collective danger, but desire egalitarian political systems in times of peace and safety. These individual impulses shape the way societies develop and organise themselves, and in this book Agner argues that there is an evolutionary mechanism behind this flexible psychology. Incorporating a wide range of ideas including evolutionary theory, game theory, and ecological theory, Agner analyses the conditions that make us either strident or docile. He tests this theory on data from contemporary and ancient societies, and provides a detailed explanation of the applications of regality theory to issues of war and peace, the rise and fall of empires, the mass media, economic instability, ecological crisis, and much more.Warlike and Peaceful Societies: The Interaction of Genes and Culture draws on many different fields of both the social sciences and the natural sciences. It will be of interest to academics and students in these fields, including anthropology, political science, history, conflict and peace research, social psychology, and more, as well as the natural sciences, including human biology, human evolution, and ecology

6. Strategic Uses of Fear

6.1. Terrorism conflicts Terrorism often leads to a significant regalization of the attacked society. This leads to further repression of the political interests that the terrorists are fighting for and therefore more terrorism. The current chapter explains this vicious circle. There is no common agreement on how to define terrorism or on deciding who should be called terrorists. It is often said that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. Some definitions of te..

7. Regality Theory Applied to Ancient Cultures

In this chapter we will look at a number of ancient, non-industrial civilizations and see whether the predictions of regality theory fit these cultures. A statistical study of the results follows in chapter 8, but the discussions of each of these cultures can also be read as interesting and illustrative examples in themselves. In chapter 3.1, we saw how the ecology and the environment can determine the level of violent conflict between groups or determine whether war is possible at all. Confl..