[Fis] (no subject)

[Krassimir Markov]

Dear Christophe,

Thanks a lot for recalling this fundamental article!

It is important because it fixes the understanding of the authors at that
time.

My understanding has not changed. Then I wrote the following:



Data = Reflection;

Information =  Reflection + Meaning



Information is a type of subjective reflection that is recognized by the
subject what it reflects.

I.e. information is a class of subjective reflections that the subject
eventually uses to create mental models.

The meaning is precisely the mental model by which the reflection is
recognized.

Here I would only add a small example.


It is well known that the path of signals from the external environment to
the various types of INFOS memory is as follows:



*external environment - sensor - sensory memory - working (short-term)
memory - long-term memory.*



The passage of signals is related to relevant conditions, such as, for
example, a threshold of sensitivity of the sensor.

This means that at each stage, the incoming signals are converted to new,
different signals that are specific to the respective (neuronal) connection.



So, the sensor received an external impact and reflected it, "recording" in
the sensor memory a corresponding reflection.

Next is the transfer of the reflection to working memory, where  Infos  meets
it with a mental model from long-term memory called “Information
Expectation (IE)” and (possibly) recognizes the reflection by forming a new
mental structure called “Information”, incorporating the reflection into a new
mental model with the meaning of that reflection. Thus, incoming data
reflections are converted into information.

(More detailed the Information expectation is discussed in the papers given
below)



Let's describe this process in Shannon's terms. Let each incoming signal
have two states of high and low potential, which we denote by “No” (0) and
“Yes”(1). Upon entering first the sensory and then the working memory, this
signal gives rise to corresponding reflections.

If Infos finds in its long-term memory a mental model (for instance, a
question with two possible answers) to match with the reflection received
in working memory, it can combine the mental model with the reflection
(data) and turn it into information, i.e. in data with meaning.

Under certain conditions, for example, with repetition, information is
transferred to long-term memory. We call mental models in long-term memory
knowledge.



Here are some examples:



IE (mental model - question) : Is it cold outside?

Reflection (data) : YES

Information (new mental model): Yes, it's cold outside.





IE (mental model - question) : Are you hungry?

Reflection (data) : YES

Information (new mental model): Yes, you are hungry.



IE (mental model - question) : Do you have money?

Reflection (data) : YES

Information (new mental model): Yes, you have money.



But look what happens when the reflection cannot be recognized.


IE (mental model - question) : none

Reflection (data) : YES

Information (new mental model): none, the data remains data.




Examples of inadequate mental modes:



IE (mental model - question) : What time is it?

Reflection (data) : YES

Information (new mental model): none, the data remains data.



IE (mental model - question) : Did Ptolemy have a beard or a moustache?

Reflection (data) : YES

Information (new mental model): none, the data remains data.



You see that the information actually reflects some relationship:

- It is cold outside;

- You are hungry;

- You have money.

So, let remember the first definition of the term "information" given by me
in 1988:

"Information is a reflected (objective or subjective) relationship
(specific or general)."

The meaning is just the reflected relationship.



That is all.


***



Dear Joseph,

You wrote:
“Further, information is characterized by its *quality* as well as by
scalar quantities.

I have not seen any algorithmic theory that captures quality, but would of
course be glad to know of one.”


FYI:

*Quality of Information*

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/81/1/118__;!!D9dNQwwGXtA!VokTIM9w6khYBYvNJmo5pgd2vaVnuEFCJiWaaORHD54NYQWSNtAf1mDH-ELDm1X1N3ZV2f_HCv13U0C9uOI$ 



*Comparison software systems based on Information quality measuring*

https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.foibg.com/ijita/vol24/ijita24-02-p01.pdf__;!!D9dNQwwGXtA!VokTIM9w6khYBYvNJmo5pgd2vaVnuEFCJiWaaORHD54NYQWSNtAf1mDH-ELDm1X1N3ZV2f_HCv13BtQ4gmw$ 



With respect,

Krassimir
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