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Researchers have disproved the Infinite Monkey Theorem

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

On more certitude in this world has been overturned. The infinite monkey theorem holds that a monkey given an infinite amount of time at a keyboard would ultimately type out every possible text, including the complete works of Shakespeare. But two Australian researchers, Jay Falletta and Stephen Woodcock, calculate that if every one of the roughly 200,000 chimpanzees in the world typed one key per second, it take longer than the lifespan of the universe for a primate bard to repeat the words of Shakespeare. In fact, the BBC reports there would be just a 5% chance a chimp would even type the word bananas in their own simian lifetime. In other words, in a finite universe, do not count on an infinite monkey.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

SIMON: But the researchers do not explain how a monkey at a keyboard managed to accompany BJ Leiderman, who writes our theme music, as apparently, no monkey will ever type, if music be the food of love, play on.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.