Two Australian mathematicians have called into question an old adage, that if given an infinite amount of time, a monkey pressing keys on a typewriter would eventually write the complete works of William Shakespeare.
Known as the "infinite monkey theorem", the thought-experiment has long been used to explain the principles of probability and randomness.
However, a new peer-reviewed study led by Sydney-based researchers Stephen Woodcock and Jay Falletta has found that the time it would take for a typing monkey to replicate Shakespeare's plays, sonnets and poems would be longer than the lifespan of our universe.
Which means that while mathematically true, the theorem is "misleading", they say.
Thank you, I hate when people say this shit. Also, No there is not another universe exactly the same as this one, atom for atom, except in that universe you took a leak at one place and in this universe, another. "Well you don't understand infinity! blah blah blah!" Yes, I do. You don't understand reality.
"There are two ways to view the stars; as they really are, and as we might wish them to be." - Carl Sagan "If an argument lasts more than five minutes, both parties are wrong" unknown Self Taken Pictures of Wildlife
The_Piper wrote: ↑Nov 01, 2024 2:17 pm
Thank you, I hate when people say this shit. Also, No there is not another universe exactly the same as this one, atom for atom, except in that universe you took a leak at one place and in this universe, another. "Well you don't understand infinity! blah blah blah!" Yes, I do. You don't understand reality.
If there is an infinite number of universes, there's probably one out there where you get eaten by an escaped lion tonight. Enjoy your evening!
You don't crucify people! Not on Good Friday! - Harold Shand
The_Piper wrote: ↑Nov 01, 2024 2:17 pm
Thank you, I hate when people say this shit. Also, No there is not another universe exactly the same as this one, atom for atom, except in that universe you took a leak at one place and in this universe, another. "Well you don't understand infinity! blah blah blah!" Yes, I do. You don't understand reality.
If there is an infinite number of universes, there's probably one out there where you get eaten by an escaped lion tonight. Enjoy your evening!
"There are two ways to view the stars; as they really are, and as we might wish them to be." - Carl Sagan "If an argument lasts more than five minutes, both parties are wrong" unknown Self Taken Pictures of Wildlife
