Re: [sl4] Rolf's gambit revisited

From: Peter de Blanc (peter@spaceandgames.com)
Date: Mon Jan 05 2009 - 22:31:17 MST


Rui Ferreira wrote:
> It's subtle. When X simulates Y and K(X) < K(Y), you can't ask X what
> would Y output for a certain input. In your example, if you wanted X
> to predict the output of Y, it would have to be coded in X that Y is
> the nth program generated and, on that case, K(Y) would be equal (or
> less than) K(X).
>
> Anyway, as you said, it's perfectly possible that X "simulates" Y and
> K(X) < K(Y). Was this the point you were trying to make about the
> difference of simulation and "actual computation", Peter?

No, that isn't the point I was trying to make. I am talking about
"actual computation."

I agree with you that if X simulates Y _and does nothing else_, then
K(X) >= K(Y), but you can have a program which (exactly) simulates many
programs of high complexity without being complex itself (e.g. AIXItl).



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