Anima Ex Machina | Hector Zenil's blog

Compression-based investigation of cellular automata, Phase Transitions and a Conjecture related to Universality

Hector Zenil — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:18:32 +0000

In a recent paper, forthcoming in the Journal of Complex Systems, vol. 19, I present a method for studying the qualitative behavior of cellular automata and other abstract computing machines based on the approximation of their program-size complexity using a general lossless compression algorithm. I show that the compression-based approach classifies cellular automata (CA) into clusters according to their heuristic behavior, with these clusters showing a correspondence with Wolfram's main classes of systemic behavior. I also present a Gray code-based numbering scheme for initial conditions optimal for this kind of investigations, and a compression based method for estimating a characteristic exponent in the form of a phase transition coefficient measuring the resiliency or sensitivity of a system to its initial conditions. I also conjecture that universal systems have large transition coefficients.

Classifying objects by complexity

Hector Zenil — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:35:21 +0000

We present a method for estimating the complexity of an image based on the concept of Bennett's logical depth. We use this measure to classify images by their information content. The method provides a means for evaluating and classifying objects by way of their visual representations.

Comments on Turing’s very first Universal machine approaching Turing’s 100th. birthday anniversary

Hector Zenil — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:56:45 +0000

The idea that a machine could perform the tasks of any other machine is the description of a Universal (Turing) machine. Its invention is considered by many to have been one of the major landmarks giving rise to the field of computer science. ‘Universal’ means that one can ‘program’ a general-purpose machine to perform the [...]

Stephen Hawking: A brief examination of the recent warning over alien civilizations

Hector Zenil — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:30:01 +0000

Stephen Hawking asserts that while aliens almost certainly exist, humans should avoid making contact. The original story published by BBC News can be found here. He claims: “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.” Stephen Hawking recent assertion looks like an [...]

On the Algorithmic Nature of the World

Hector Zenil — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:10:15 +0000

In a new paper I’ve coauthored with Jean-Paul Delahaye, we propose a test based on the theory of algorithmic complexity and an experimental evaluation of Levin’s universal distribution to identify evidence in support of or in contravention of the claim that the world is algorithmic in nature. To this end we have undertaken a statistical [...]