Infinite-Monkey Theorem
Infinite-Monkey Theorem: n. "If you put an infinite number of
monkeys at typewriters, eventually one will bash out the script for
Hamlet." (One may also hypothesize 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 argument
gets more respect since Linux justified the bazaar mode of
development.
This theorem was first popularized by the astronomer Sir Arthur
Eddington. It became part of the idiom of techies via the classic
SF 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".
![[prev]](../gif/left.gif){kind=small}
![[up]](../gif/up.gif){kind=small}
![[next]](../gif/right.gif){kind=small}