What is Information? Understanding the Basics and Importance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of information, exploring its definition, context, and implications in various fields of science and philosophy. Participants engage with theoretical aspects, practical applications, and philosophical inquiries related to information and its representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the fundamental nature of information, suggesting it is related to the propagation of cause and effect within a system.
  • Another participant argues that the definition of information varies significantly depending on the scientific or societal context, highlighting the potential for misunderstandings without a clear definition.
  • A participant introduces the concept of 'nat' as a natural information representation, contrasting it with binary systems and questioning the implications of using a transcendental-based number system.
  • Reference is made to Leonardo Susskind's Holographic Principle, proposing that information is indestructible and primarily exists in black holes, with a notion that loss of information occurs only when it is trapped in a black hole.
  • A speculative idea is presented regarding future lifeforms uploading consciousness into a structure near a black hole to observe the universe, raising questions about the relationship between information and energy in black holes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition and nature of information, with no consensus reached on a singular understanding. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not defined the context for their discussions on information, which may lead to misunderstandings. The implications of using different number systems and the relationship between information and black holes are also not fully explored.

Zez4eva4
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I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I saw an article today about how some people managed to stop light and using it to store information. After I read this i realized for as much as we hear about information being sent places, what is it? What actually is information?
 
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Surely the definition of information depends upon which sphere of science, engineering or society one is currently engaged in. The numerous arguments (and I do mean arguments as hostile exchanges, not as a synonym for debate) I have observed have arisen because the context for discussion of information had not been defined at the outset.
 
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I don't have much to add, but the idea of the 'nat' interests me - a natural information representation as an alternative to binary. What does having a transcendental-based number system even mean?

"The base e is the most economical choice of radix β > 1 (Hayes 2001), where the radix economy is measured as the product of the radix and the length of the string of symbols needed to express a given range of values."
 
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I just happen to have an interesting and apropos quote from my notes on Leonardo Susskind's Holographic Principle lecture. Almost all information in the universe exists in black holes.

His argument might be, bits are indestructible and information is forever (his First Principle of Physics). The only mechanism for 'loss' (scare-quotes) is getting stuck in a black hole.
 
Doug Huffman said:
I just happen to have an interesting and apropos quote from my notes on Leonardo Susskind's Holographic Principle lecture. Almost all information in the universe exists in black holes.

His argument might be, bits are indestructible and information is forever (his First Principle of Physics). The only mechanism for 'loss' (scare-quotes) is getting stuck in a black hole.

<scifi>
Reminds me of an idea for far-future lifeforms I read on the internet once - namely, and uploading of all human consciousness into some small space structure, and having that space structure orbit closely to a black hole, thereby (through some mechanism I'm not familiar with), be able to view light from the universe in ridiculous clarity and resolution.
</scifi>

Is it also the case that almost all energy exists in black holes?
 
This might be good time to remind everyone of the Physics Forums rule about discussions being backed by mainstream science.

This thread is closed.
 

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