[Fis] “Meaning“ versus Functional Significance

[Marcus Abundis]

Further to John's post on Fri Jan 15 08:09:
> Of course, if you think that information is always meaningful to some
interpreter . . .
> then the argument in the paper is a nonstarter.

    I confess this typified my own thinking until recently. To be clear, I
have now moved firmly to John's camp. I felt justified in my prior view as
even Seth Lloyd (in some of his talks) seemed to barely believe his own
assertions. But continued digging has shifted my view. I still believe VERY
CLEAR distinctions must be held between informational types (which seems
regularly NOT done), and demands precision in one's framing of the concepts.

    For those curious about how I came to “get religion“ . . . I first
abandoned any notion of meaning (too personal) and reframed my thoughts in
terms of “functional significance.“ I saw this as a useful parallel that
did not necessarily require an observer (observer neutral). For example,
the moon holds clear functional significance (many operative influences on
Earthly events) regardless of whether anyone happens to observe the moon's
presence or its influences, or not. Next, I further reflected on the fact
that different systems derive functional significance (meaning) in very
different ways. But despite those essential functional differences, as they
were both truly functionally significant roles, they were truly
informational.

    I then happened upon a series of brief talks which “sealed the deal“
for me. In it, Seth Lloyd is now speaking more clearly and sensibly about
his own notions. He alludes directly PRESENTING information, rather than
RE-presenting information. This variable notion affirmed my own revised
thinking. The talks (which include many notable figures) can be found here:
<http://www.closertotruth.com/series/information-fundamental
Particularly provocative is talk #3, where the question is asked “Is the
cosmos discrete or continuous?“ This “next level of thinking“ has my
attention.
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