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MENTAL MODEL · M2391

Kolmogorov Complexity

Kolmogorov Complexity
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The complexity of an object is equal to the shortest length of a computer program that can generate it. If a string of numbers (e.g., 101010...) can be written as "repeat 10 one hundred times" (a short program), it is simple; if a string has no pattern and must be written out in full (the program is as long as the object), it is random/complex.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

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Understanding is compression. The essence of 'understanding' is finding a shorter program. Why is the physical formula (E=mc²) beautiful? Because it compresses the energy laws of the entire universe into a few characters. If you cannot summarize a complex phenomenon in a few sentences, you have not yet understood it.

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The descriptive complexity of an object equals the length of the shortest program that generates it; the more random an object, the less compressible it is, and the higher its complexity.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolmogorov_complexityZH · Explicit
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