I think a pointer that effectively forces you to compute the entire program in order to find the object it references is still reducing complexity based on the definition used. Computationally expensive != complex.
Sure, it might be reducing complexity, but it might not be. Consider the Library of Babel example, and bear in mind that a brain-state has a ton of extra information over and above the ‘mental state’ it supports. (Though strictly speaking this depends on the notion of ‘mental state’, which is indeterminate.)
Also, we have to ask “reducing complexity relative to what?” (As I said above, there are many possibilities other than “literal description” and “our universe + pointer”.)
I think a pointer that effectively forces you to compute the entire program in order to find the object it references is still reducing complexity based on the definition used. Computationally expensive != complex.
Sure, it might be reducing complexity, but it might not be. Consider the Library of Babel example, and bear in mind that a brain-state has a ton of extra information over and above the ‘mental state’ it supports. (Though strictly speaking this depends on the notion of ‘mental state’, which is indeterminate.)
Also, we have to ask “reducing complexity relative to what?” (As I said above, there are many possibilities other than “literal description” and “our universe + pointer”.)