(L.1) We shall define information as
that which enables the resolution of uncertainty resulting in the
establishment of knowledge about a thing or action. Information
is not knowledge itself, rather it is that from which meaning can be
derived as knowledge. If, for example, we say The color of
the sky is blue then blue is the information being
convey about the sky and The color of the sky is the knowledge gained.
The light of the blue wavelength from the sky is sensed by
the eye and this sensory information is communicated to
our brain where the sensation of the qualia
of blue gives it meaning to us humans. The
visual image of the subjective object we
associate with the language token sky is
associated with the sensation of the quale
of blueness which we associate with the language token
blue as knowledge for which the image of
sky, the sensation of blue and the word tokens are
all information processed to create the knowledge. While
we cannot describe the color itself with words, the word blue has meaning
to us as the effect of experience and learning in time
past. But, should we say The color of the sky is gorm then
the color gorm is meaningless as information unless
you have learned from experience that the word token
gorm is the Scottish Gaelic word for blue. But someone
could have knowledge that the thing called
sky is the subjective color called
gorm even if they did know its color meaning. That
is, knowledge can be gain by the association of information
without an understanding of what the information itself.
We gain knowledge when we learn by
rote that 2 plus 3 is 5 without any understanding what
the abstract numbers themselves are. Similarly, in the
example of the blue sky, we gain knowledge of
the blueness of the sky without any understanding of either the
quale of blue formed in our mind or the nature of the
photons of light that enter our eyes and sent as information
to our brain processes the data to results in the sensation
of blueness in our mind.
(L.2) The word is enables the transformation of
information into knowledge that establish
a truth by equivalency. The sky
is blue but only if the sky is blue and not
red or some other color. Therefore, all information must
be either true or false in its relationship to
is. This is that or this is not that. The
switch is on or off. The number digits in binary code
is 1 or 0.
(L.3) The forms of information are varied but all are
ultimately reducible to one of two states of truth.
Example of these are the reality of is and
not is, the binary numbers 0 and 1,
the state of being on and off. Information in
this form we shall call binary data and its value
we shall call its logic state.
(L.4) All knowledge can be both expressed and
retained in physical memory in the form of digital
data.
(L.4.1) An example of this is the binary information in
digital computers as both memory of digital data and
programs for processing that information to produce
new information to be subsequent used as
new digital data. The processing of this digital
data requires a material device to accomplish this task. In the
case of numerical data, a device called the Turning machine is
used which uses only the numbers 0 and 1. The creation of results from
processing of digital data is accomplished by the use logic
gates which decide which of two or more possible
processing actions occurs depending upon the llogic state of
the data presented to them. Logic gates are always
physical things whose actions are decided from
the binary information presented to them. The logic gates used
in digital computers are NOT (if the input is true then the
output is false and vice versa), AND (if both of 2 inputs are
true then the output is also true or otherwise it is
false) , OR (if either of two inputs are true then
the output is true otherwise it is false, NAND (if both of
the inputs are true then the output is false other wise
the output is true), NOR (if both inputs are true then
the output is false), XOR (if one of two inputs but not both is
true then the output is true) and XNOR (if both inputs
are either true or false then the output is true). These logic
gates can be linked in an infinite number of ways to result in an infinite
number of actions as well the creation of unlimited knowledge
derived from the actions on the information
that is input. Actions and knowledge are
limited only by the available the amount of physical memory.
That is, logic gates are the ultimate decision makers for all processing of
inputs of data.
(L.4.2) A second example of this is the information stored
as physical memory for later recall and use to result in its
processing as both actions and further knowledge.
In books and other media, information is stored in
the form of characters forming words and numbers as well as symbols
(punctuations marks, mathematical symbols, specific quantities, etc.) having
their own meaning. In modern computers, information is
stored as digital data in magnetic or solid state components
as binary numbers.
In the living brain information is store as
chemical states in the synapses of the neural cells of the brain and the information contained
in the data is communicated as electrochemical pulses through the
axon cells linking the neural cells to various information
processing regions of the brain. The physical means by which the brain
functions as an electrochemical machine for processing data remains
largely unknown but process data it does continuously. The
processing of data in the brain can also produce an infinite
number of actions as well the creation of unlimited knowledge.
And, as is the case with its electronic counterpart, actions and
knowledge are limited only the amount of physical
memory as brain cells available to it.
As first postulated over 130 years ago, digital
information has been observed to be physically stored in
memory in the human brain, as synaptic
connections between neurons with active connections being the logical
state of true. These perform the same function of
transistors and magnetic media in digital computers.
Information may also be stored as
collections of sensory data such as visual images and sound
in media, computers and the human brain. Knowledge
derived from information may be recalled from media, computers
and the human brain may be recalled for subsequent
use as information in new data process. Information processing
is information process regardless of the processes.
(L.5) Information is not permanent and may be
destroyed or lost. This lack of permanence results from physical changes in the
physical systems that communicate and store it. As an example, a bolt of
electricity through a computer may destroy its physical memory and
any information it may have contained. A trauma to the head
may result in the death of brains cells and loss of any information they
may have contained. Death result in a loss of all information
in the brain.
(L.6) Information is corruptible because of
errors in communication of it and may well result in false knowledge and
unpredictable and unexpected actions. As an example, malfunction
of a hard disk drive may corruption information stored in a
computer. Alzheimer's disease may similarly information store
in the brain.
(L.7) Information in the brain may be false as
a result of the use of false knowledge or false logic,
resulting in false memory.
(L.8) Information in the brain may be false
as the result false sensory perceptions of
true sensory data. For example, the letter E may be
falsely sensed and processed in the brain as
the letter B. The visual image of a cat may be misinterpreted by
the brain as a dog.
Information is fundamental to all processes in nature at all levels of existence. Without it processes cannot occur.
(L) All knowledge is derived from information. All human knowledge derives from information initially obtained for their environment by their neural ssensory systems. The brain processes the inputs of information for storage in brain memory and processing for the creation of knowledge for use in prompting actions. Once acquired, knowledge may be used as information for subsequently creation of new knowledge.