The Infinite Monkey Theorem, which suggests that given enough time, a monkey could produce the complete works of William Shakespeare on a typewriter, has been a popular concept in fiction and pop culture for many years. However, two mathematicians from the University of Technology Sydney have recently published a paper debunking this idea. They argue that even if all the monkeys in the world were typing around the clock, the universe would likely end before they could produce Shakespeare’s works. The paper, published in a peer-reviewed journal, uses the theory of “heat death” for the end of the universe to make their case.
The authors of the paper, Stephen Woodcock and Jay Falletta, used generous assumptions about the efficiency of a monkey’s typing skills to calculate the likelihood of them producing Shakespeare’s works within the age of the universe. They found that even with these generous assumptions, the chances of a monkey typing even a short book like “Curious George” before the universe ends are virtually zero. The research suggests that the likelihood of a monkey producing a short phrase like “I chimp therefore I am” is extremely slim, and the whole global population of macaques would not have much more chance.
Despite the Infinite Monkey Theorem being a well-known concept in popular theoretical physics, the authors of the paper were surprised to find that no one had formally debunked it before. Other academics, however, expressed that this was already common knowledge in the mathematical community. The idea of a monkey or ape producing complex works of literature like Shakespeare’s plays was deemed highly unlikely, with experts in the field asserting that the universe could die and be reborn countless times without this scenario ever occurring.
The head keeper at the London Zoo, who has extensive experience working with gorillas, emphasized the improbability of a primate producing works like “Macbeth” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” While gorillas are known for their cognitive understanding and emotional intelligence, they lack the dexterity and motivation to operate a typewriter. The likelihood of a primate successfully typing out Shakespeare’s works was deemed minuscule by experts, further solidifying the idea that the Infinite Monkey Theorem is more fiction than fact.
The proliferation of the Infinite Monkey Theorem in popular culture may lead some to believe in its plausibility, but the recent paper from the University of Technology Sydney challenges this notion. By employing mathematical calculations and a time limit based on the end of the universe, the authors discredit the idea that monkeys could randomly produce complex literary works. As the debate continues within the academic community, it seems that the notion of a monkey creating Shakespeare’s plays may be a myth that is finally put to rest.
