Mind the Gap: Transitions Between Concepts of Information in Varied Domains

Robinson, Lyn; Bawden, David

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6973-1_6

Cited by 25 publications

(29 citation statements)

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“…Similarly, there are different forms of entropy for different purposes (Frigg & Werndl, 2011). This reinforces the value of studies of information and related concepts in different domains (Furner, 2014;Robinson & Bawden, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…It may be that a clear and unequivocal link may not be found; perhaps the various meanings of information are simply incommensurable, and the link is only the use of the same English word (Bawden, ). However, we believe that a clarification of the information/entropy relationship should help to show, in more general terms, the most fruitful ways of exploring the relations between ideas of information in different realms, to the benefit of all the disciplines that have information as an important concept (Bawden & Robinson, ; Robinson & Bawden, ). Shaw and Davis () addressed this issue 30 years ago, and many of the points they noted are still the subject of debate, although it may be said that Wicken's “semantic haze” is dissipating.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“A few exciting words”: Information and entropy revisited

Bawden

Robinson

2015

Asso for Info Science & Tech

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This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link AbstractA review is presented of the relation between information and entropy, focusing on two main issues: the similarity of the formal definitions of physical entropy, according to statistical mechanics, and of information, according to information theory; and the possible subjectivity of entropy considered as missing information. The paper updates the 1983 analysis of Shaw and Davis. The difference in the interpretations of information given respectively by Shannon and by Wiener, significant for the information sciences, receives particular consideration.Analysis of a range of material, from literary theory to thermodynamics, is used to draw out the issues. Emphasis is placed on recourse to the original sources, and on direct quotation, to attempt to overcome some of the misunderstandings and oversimplifications which have occurred with these topics.While it is strongly related to entropy, information is neither identical with it, nor its opposite. Information is related to order and pattern, but also to disorder and randomness. The relations between information and the 'interesting complexity', which embodies both pattern and randomness, are worthy of attention."A few exciting words": information and entropy revisited THOMASINA: When you stir your rice pudding, Septimus, the spoonful of jam spreads itself round making red trails like the picture of the meteor in my astronomical atlas. But if need stir backward, the jam will not come together again. Indeed, the pudding does not notice and continues to turn pink just as before. Do you think this odd? SEPTIMUS: No THOMASINA: Well, I do. You cannot stir things apart. SEPTIMUS: No more you can, time must needs run backward, and since it will not, we must stir our way onward mixing as we go, disorder out of disorder into disorder until pink is complete, unchanging and unchangeable, and we are done with it forever. This is known as free will or self-determination. Tom Stoppard, Arcadia, (Act 1, Scene 1), London: Faber and Faber, 1993 If information is pattern, the non-information should be the absence of pattern, that is, randomness. This commonsense expectation ran into unexpected complications when certain developments within information theory implied that information could be equated with randomness as well as with pattern. Identifying information with both pattern and randomness proved to be a powerful paradox (Hayles 1999, p. 25) IntroductionThis paper re-examines the relations between information and entropy, a topic of debate for nearly a century. It can be seen as updating, thirty years on, of the analysis of Shaw and Davis (1983), presenting new findings and new perspectives. In order to make proper sense of these, it is necessary to delve into the historical development of the issues. Where possible, we have used quotations from original sources, as this is an area where there has been much misunderstanding ...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“A few exciting words”: Information and entropy revisited

Bawden

Robinson

2015

Asso for Info Science & Tech

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“…In a review of concepts of information, Robinson and Bawden (2014), consider a binary divide between "those domains in which information is treated as something objective, quantitative, and mainly associated with data, and those in which it is treated as subjective, qualitative, and mainly associated with knowledge, meaning, and understanding". Robinson and Bawden's review is one of many that highlights the difficulties associated with defining information.…”

Section: Evolved Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpreting the world across a boundary

Madden

2014

Journal of Documentation

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between information and boundaries. Life depends on boundaries; but in order to survive an organism needs to make decisions based on an interpretation of the environment beyond its boundaries: it therefore needs information. Design/methodology/approach -The paper explores the evolution of physical, social and cultural boundaries and considers how they have shaped ways in which information is gathered and used. Findings -Several evolutionary developments are reviewed. The paper argues that each one has generated an additional boundary and that each new boundary has affected the information needs within it. The paper argues that all living things use information to help address three fundamental concerns: "Where can the energy needed to stay alive be found?", "How can it be stored?", and "How can use of energy be reduced?" Because these questions are fundamental at a biological level they are also fundamental at a societal level. One way to increase energy efficiency was for organisms to grow larger. This brought risks which were alleviated by the evolution of better information gathering and processing tools. Amongst these tools were the means to communicate, which afforded the evolution of social boundaries. Originality/value -This is a new perspective on a topic of growing interest in information science and demonstrates further the significance of information as a factor in the shaping of life.

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“…Data, which for Stonier is a series of disconnected facts and observations, is understood by Floridi as simply a lack of uniformity-a noticeable difference or distinction in something in line with Bateson's (2000) "a difference which makes a difference" (p. 272). According to Robinson and Bawden (2014), for Floridi, "to count as information, individual data elements must be compiled into a collection which must be well-formed (put together correctly according to relevant syntax), meaningful (complying with relevant semantics), and truthful; the latter requires a detailed analysis of the nature of true information, as distinct from misinformation, pseudoinformation and false information" (p. 133).…”

Section: Forms Of Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution to the Ontological Status of Information: Development of the Structural-Attributive Approach

Reyes¹

2015

lib

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This paper proposes to appeal to the structural-attributive approach to help establish a useful ontological categorization of information. Specifically, it argues that a framework for library and information science (LIS) based on Stonier's theory of information would be helpful, with the intention to advance one of the unfinished dialogues of LIS, the so-called Wiener's problem, or statutum ontologicum. This proposal advocates the possibility of developing a theory based on the assumption that information is a basic property of the universe. Stonier's perspective is an evolutionary type, so the basis of this research is interdisciplinary, such that his ideas can help describe the development of society in the information age. It also explains the two main categories or forms of information, which Stonier called "applied," for the library scope. In other words, there are the information contained in a system and the transformed and processed information. He argues that information is an ontological category that exists independently of being perceived. This paper asserts that information characterizes the world in itself, since it is through it that all knowledge is obtained.

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Mind the Gap: Transitions Between Concepts of Information in Varied Domains

Cited by 25 publications

References 76 publications

“A few exciting words”: Information and entropy revisited

“A few exciting words”: Information and entropy revisited

Interpreting the world across a boundary

Contribution to the Ontological Status of Information: Development of the Structural-Attributive Approach

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