Virtual Typing Monkeys Re-Create Shakespeare Jesse Anderson tested an old saying — that, given time, monkeys with typewriters would pound out the works of Shakespeare. Anderson had a computer generate random letters, as monkeys might. And he claims the virtual monkeys finally spewed out blocks of text that add up to Shakespeare's poem "A Lover's Complaint."

Virtual Typing Monkeys Re-Create Shakespeare

Virtual Typing Monkeys Re-Create Shakespeare

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Jesse Anderson tested an old saying — that, given time, monkeys with typewriters would pound out the works of Shakespeare. Anderson had a computer generate random letters, as monkeys might. And he claims the virtual monkeys finally spewed out blocks of text that add up to Shakespeare's poem "A Lover's Complaint."

STEVE INSKEEP, Host:

Jesse Anderson tested an old saying. Given time, monkeys with typewriters would pound out the works of Shakespeare. Mr. Anderson had a computer generate random letters as monkeys might. And he claims the virtual monkeys spewed out blocks of text that add up to Shakespeare's poem "A Lover's Complaint," in which a man tries to tell a story. Tearing of papers, breaking rings atwain, storming her world with sorrow's wind and rain. You're listening to MORNING EDITION.

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