How do we characterize complexity? Can we give a formal definition for what we perceive as complexity in systems around us? Can we have a mathematical equation, and a mathematical truth, that can transcend differences in matter, shape, size, and can explain complexity in a system?
For a long time, I thought logarithm of number of independent systems that combine to form a larger system, gives an accurate measure of how complex a system can get. Complexity is directly proportional to the amount of effort needed to answer questions about a system. So it is very important to understand complexity, to solve the problem of finding strategy for solving problems. If what I think, i.e., logarithm of number of independent parts turns about to be correct, then all limited size problems can be solved in limited time. That way, it links space and time so tightly that they will just be treated as minor variations of essentially same thing.
