Ursula Hentschlaeger
Tracking a Current
Notion of Information
1999
If information is regarded as an
idependent entity, this means, first and foremost, that
information exists as such and without any exterior influence
(naturally).
If information is seen in connection with
understanding and / or meaning, however, then behind that
information there is someone who produces information
(artificially).
This fundamental distinction can be
observed even at the level of algorithmic represent-ation and,
consequently, also applies to the level of development.
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
AS ENTITY
Information as Entity
If algorithms exist as such because they
exist, they may be found or invented by humans – by
ascribing linguistic translations to them which only make them
visible in the first place –, but they ultimately exist
independently from humans or from description by humans, even
though they owe their existence (in human consciousness) to
that very ascription by humans.
Information as Power
If, however, the algorithm exists as a
„mouthpiece“ of a (human) intention behind it, and
if it only finds its shape through this intention, this implies
a model of information as power, where meaning cannot be
removed and information, consequently, cannot be regarded as an
idependent entity.
Hence, What Is Information?
INFORMATION
AS POWER
STATEMENTS
