What's happened
A recent study from Australian mathematicians questions the Infinite Monkey Theorem, suggesting that even with infinite time, monkeys typing randomly would unlikely produce Shakespeare's works. The findings indicate that the theorem is misleading when applied to our finite universe, with extremely low probabilities for even simple phrases.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Andy Gregory in The Independent, the study's authors, Professor Stephen Woodcock and Jay Falletta, argue that the Infinite Monkey Theorem is 'potentially misleading' when applied to our universe's finite lifespan. They emphasize that even with a large population of monkeys, the chances of producing Shakespeare's works remain 'not even like one in a million.' The Guardian echoes this sentiment, stating that the study concludes that monkey typing is 'not plausible' for creating anything beyond trivial text. This perspective contrasts with the theorem's traditional interpretation, which assumes infinite time and resources.
How we got here
The Infinite Monkey Theorem posits that given infinite time, monkeys typing randomly could eventually produce any text, including Shakespeare's works. However, a new study from the University of Technology Sydney challenges this notion, applying finite limits based on the universe's lifespan.
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William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon".