: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 theorem was first popularized by the astronomer Sir Arthur
Eddington. It became part of the idiom of 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".
-- The AI Hackers Dictionary
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 theorem was first popularized by the astronomer Sir Arthur
Eddington. It became part of the idiom of 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".
-- The AI Hackers Dictionary
Related:
- Infinite-Monkey Theorem n.
"If you put an infinite
number of monkeys at typewriters,
eventually one will bash out the script for Hamlet... - one-banana problem: n. At mainframe shops, where the computers
have operators for routine administrivia,
the programmers and hardware people tend to look... - Ford, there's an infinite number of monkeys out here who wish to talk to us
about this script for Hamlet they've worked up.
Arthur... - brute force adj.
Describes a primitive programming style,
one in which the programmer relies on the computer's... - one-banana problem n.
At mainframe shops, where the
computers have operators for routine administrivia,
the programmers and hardware people tend to look... - There is a special department of Hell for students of probability.
In it there are an infinite number of monkeys and typewriters... - banana problem: n. [from the story of the little girl who said "I
know how to spell `banana',
but I don't know when to stop"]. Not knowing where... - consult guide about the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Guide checks through its Sub-Etha-Net database and eventually comes up
with the following entry:
The Hitchhiker's Guide is a wholly remarkable product... - HAKMEM /hak'mem/ n.
MIT AI Memo 239 (February 1972).
A legendary collection of neat mathematical and...
