The Gauge Freedom of Algorithmic Complexity — E8 Intelligence Research
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: FINDING: Kolmogorov complexity's invariance theorem reveals that algorithmic information content is defined only up to an additive constant dependent on the choice of universal Turing machine — a gauge-like freedom in the definition of "absolute" complexity. | MATH: Let \(K_U(x) = \min_p \{|p| : U(p)=x\}\). Invariance theorem: for any two universal machines \(U, V\), \(K_U(x) \leq K_V(x) + c_{U,V}\) and vice versa, so \(|K_U(x) - K_V(x)| \leq c_{U,V}\) where \(c_{U,V}\) is a constant independent of \(x\). This is formally analogous to gauge freedom in physics: physical laws are invariant under transformations that add a constant to a potential (e.g., \(A_\mu \to A_\mu + \partial_\mu \chi\) adds a total derivative, changing action by a boundary term — similarly, changing the reference machine adds a constant to all complexities). The additive constant \(c_{U,V}\) is not computable (no effective procedure finds it), mirroring the non-observability of absolute gauge potentials. | CONNECTI Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com
Author: Caldin, Andrew Stewart
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Theory and Mathematics
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7222576260
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