Patterns of Information Mutating Over Time

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of how information mutates over time, particularly in the context of alterations made by individuals on the internet. Participants explore various examples of information changes, including conspiracy theories and typographical errors, and consider whether there are discernible patterns or randomness in these mutations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that information can mutate similarly to natural selection, citing examples of conspiracy theories and typographical errors.
  • Another participant argues that, aside from a deterministic viewpoint, there is no identifiable pattern to these mutations, suggesting they are essentially random.
  • A later reply questions whether mutations induced by viruses could be considered a form of information mutation.
  • Research is mentioned regarding how network topology influences the spread of both random and non-random effects.
  • One participant draws a parallel between typographical errors in digital communication and mutations in the human genome, expressing reluctance to engage further in this comparison.
  • A participant asks for clarification on the origin of the initial idea regarding mutated information, indicating a desire for deeper understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, with multiple competing views on whether there is a pattern to information mutation or if it is fundamentally random.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about determinism and randomness, as well as the implications of network topology on information spread, which remain unresolved.

caumaan
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Is there a set pattern as to how information mutates? I should probably clarify; information like that which changes and evolves due to alteration by people over the internet.

Example: Some guy doesn't like the idea that the U.S. landed on the moon, so he says it was faked in an air force hanger.

Smaller example 1: A word that was mispelled in a chain letter is interpreted as a different word, so the person tries to correct it. When the word itself is altered, the sentence no longer makes sense, and the person changes that.

Smaller example 2: When a chain letter is circulated, and a person doesn't like something written in it ( a number, etc), and thus changes it.

What I am getting at is that information can be altered by people for any number of reasons, much like a form of natural selection. I'm sorry if this appears long or very strange, but it is late and I haven't had a Red Bull in a while. Replies are appreciated.
 
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Beyond believing in a deterministic world, and therefore trying to elucidate the exact causal relationship between the changes, no, I don't think that there is any pattern. Mutations of this type are in essence 'Random'
 
Originally posted by Another God
Beyond believing in a deterministic world, and therefore trying to elucidate the exact causal relationship between the changes, no, I don't think that there is any pattern. Mutations of this type are in essence 'Random'
Except maybe mutations induced by virusses?
 
There's lots of research going on now about how the topology of networks affects the spread of random and non-random effects.
 
There certainly are hotspots for mutations in the genome, but I don't think those are targeted to a certain gene per se.
 
Are we making a correlation between typos on computers and mistakes in the human genome? If so, I think I will avoid this one.

Nautica
 
Caumaan, how exactly did you come up with this idea? Was this an example of mutated information?
 

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