Ideas for algorithm? sorting a list randomly with emphasis on variety?

Interesting problem. Since you want about half of the list, how about this.

I don't know (and I hope someone who does will answer). Here's what comes to mind: make up a distribution for MCMC putting the most weight on the subsets with 'variety'.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.