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  "body": "\n## Summary\n\nThe minimum description length (MDL) principle selects the model that gives the shortest description of the data.\nThe description counts the bits to state the model and the bits to encode the data with the help of the model.\nIt turns model selection into data compression: a good model captures regularities and so compresses the data.\nIt is a computable relative of [[Kolmogorov complexity|8PY3K6NCKF]], and Jorma Rissanen introduced it.\n\n## Explanations\n\n### L1 human\n\nTo send a long list of numbers to a friend, you may first send a rule, such as \"a straight line plus small errors\", and then the errors.\nA simple rule is short to send but may leave large errors, which are long to send.\nA very complex rule leaves tiny errors but is itself long.\nMDL chooses the rule for which the total message is shortest.\n",
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