White noise

In signal processing, white noise is a random signal with a constant power spectral density. The term is used, with this or similar meanings, in many scientific and technical disciplines, including physics, acoustic engineering, telecommunications, statistical forecasting, and many more. White noise refers to a statistical model for signals and signal sources, rather than to any specific signal.

In discrete time, white noise is a discrete signal whose samples are regarded as a sequence of serially uncorrelated random variables with zero mean and finite variance; a single realization of white noise is a random shock. Depending on the context, one may also require that the samples be independent and have the same probability distribution (in other words i.i.d is a simplest representative of the white noise). In particular, if each sample has a normal distribution with zero mean, the signal is said to be Gaussian white noise.

The samples of a white noise signal may be sequential in time, or arranged along one or more spatial dimensions. In digital image processing, the pixels of a white noise image are typically arranged in a rectangular grid, and are assumed to be independent random variables with uniform probability distribution over some interval. The concept can be defined also for signals spread over more complicated domains, such as a sphere or a torus.

White noise (slang)

The term white noise, the 'sh' noise produced by a signal containing all audible frequencies of vibration, is sometimes used as slang (or a neologism) to describe a meaningless commotion or chatter that masks or obliterates underlying information.

The information itself may have characteristics that achieve this effect without the need to introducing a masking layer. A common example of this usage is a politician including more information than needed to mask a point he doesn't want noticed.

In music the term is used for music that is discordant with no melody; disagreeable, harsh or dissonant.

"White noise" in the media

On the January 11, 2005 broadcast of ABC's Good Morning America, Claire Shipman claimed "the political rhetoric on Social Security is white noise" to most Americans.

The novel White Noise by Don DeLillo explores several themes that emerged during the mid-to-late twentieth century. The title is a metaphor pointing to the confluence of all the symptoms of postmodern culture that in their coming-together make it very difficult for an individual to actualize his or her ideas and personality.

White Noise: The Light

White Noise: The Light, also marketed as White Noise 2, is a 2007 horror thriller film, directed by Patrick Lussier and written by Matt Venne. The sequel stars Nathan Fillion and Katee Sackhoff in the lead roles. It is a stand-alone sequel to the 2005 film White Noise, directed by Geoffrey Sax. The film received positive reviews, but was not commercially successful, and failed to recoup its $10 million budget.

Plot

After witnessing the murder of his wife and young son at the hands of Henry Caine (Craig Fairbrass), who then turned the gun on himself, Abe Dale (Nathan Fillion) is so distressed that he attempts to take his own life. A near-death experience follows that leaves Abe with the ability to identify those who are about to die. He acts on these premonitions to save three people from death, among them a nurse met during his recovery, Sherry Clarke (Katee Sackhoff).

Abe soon learns that Henry, before murdering Abe's wife and son, actually saved their lives. Abe concludes that Henry also had the ability to see death. Wanting to learn more about Henry, Abe visits his house only to learn that Henry survived his suicide. Investigating further, Abe discovers the phenomenon of "Tria Mera", The Third Day, when Christ was resurrected. Also on the third day the devil takes possession of the mortals who cheated death. Abe concludes that three days after he saved their lives, those he saved will be possessed and compelled to take the lives of others. Accepting this responsibility, Abe comes to terms with the horrible fact that he must consider killing those he had saved to prevent further tragedy.

Twins (disambiguation)

Twins are two offspring produced in the same pregnancy.

Twins may also refer to:

Film & television

Music

Other uses

The Twins (group)

The Twins is a German synthpop and new wave duo. They were popular in the 1980s. Their successful singles include "The Desert Place" and "Face To Face - Heart To Heart".

Discography

Albums and DVDs

Singles

References

External links

The Twins (1979 TV series)

The Twins is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Gu Long's novel Juedai Shuangjiao. The series was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong on 6 May 1979.

Cast

External links