Infinite Monkey Theorem

Infinite Monkey Theorem

   <humour> "If you put an {infinite} number of monkeys at
   typewriters, eventually one will bash out the script for
   Hamlet."  (One may also hypothesise a small number of monkeys
   and a very long period of time.)  This theorem asserts nothing
   about the intelligence of the one {random} monkey that
   eventually comes up with the script (and note that the mob
   will also type out all the possible *incorrect* versions of
   Hamlet).  It may be referred to semi-seriously when justifying
   a {brute force} method; the implication is that, with enough
   resources thrown at it, any technical challenge becomes a
   {one-banana problem}.

   This theorem was first popularised by the astronomer Sir
   Arthur Eddington.  It became part of the idiom through the
   classic short story "Inflexible Logic" by Russell Maloney, and
   many younger hackers know it through a reference in Douglas
   Adams's "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

   See also: {RFC 2795}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (2002-04-07)