Consider the four definitions of information presented in this chapter. The problem with the first definition, knowledge derived from data, is that it merely substitutes one word we dont know the meaning of (information) for a second word we dont know the meaning of (knowledge). The problem with the second definition, data presented in a meaningful context, is that it is too subjective. Whose context? What makes a context meaningful? The third definition, data processed by summing, ordering, averaging, etc., is too mechanical. It tells us what to do, but it doesnt tell us what information is. The fourth definition, a difference that makes a difference, is vague and unhelpful.

Also, none of these definitions helps us to quantify the amount of information we receive. What is the information content of the statement that every human being has a navel? Zeroyou already know that. In contrast, the statement that someone has just deposited $50,000 into your checking account is chock-full of information. So, good information has an element of surprise.

Considering all of these points, answer the following questions:

a. What is information made of?

b. If you have more information, do you weigh more? Why or why not?

c. When you give a copy of your transcript to a prospective employer, how is information produced? What part of that information production process do you control? What, if anything, can you do to improve the quality of information that the employer conceives?

d. Give your own best denition of information.

e. Explain how you think it is possible that we have an industry called the information technology industry, but we have great difficulty dening the word information.