an online book by David Gurteen
In this chapter, I explore the fascinating concept of information in some depth
We use the word meaning all the time, often assuming it is clear and stable. The problem is that meaning is usually treated as something contained in words rather than something that arises in use and relationship. A relational view shifts attention from definitions to interaction, context, and what meaning makes possible. Continue reading Rethinking Meaning How meaning arises through use and relationship
We live in a world saturated with information. It flows through our conversations, devices, documents, and institutions. We create it, seek it out, store it, share it, and try to make sense of it. We rely on it to make decisions, communicate, learn, and act. And yet, for all its importance, we rarely stop to ask what information actually is or what it does to us and for us. The word “information” … Continue reading Introduction: Information Looking more closely at the meaning of information
As part of my research into different ways of understanding information, I had a conversation with ChatGPT to test and refine my thinking. Afterwards, I realised I had the full text of the exchange, so I decided to experiment and create an AI-generated audio version. Continue reading A Conversation with ChatGPT Exploring Information An experiment in creating an AI generated audio conversation
We use the word “information” frequently, yet rarely stop to consider what it actually means. Over time, its deeper, formative sense has been flattened into something passive and abstract. Revisiting its original meaning opens a richer understanding of how information shapes us, not just fills our minds. Continue reading Etymology of Information What are the roots of the word “information”?
We often treat information as something solid, like a file or a fact. But information is not a thing. It depends on interpretation and context. Understanding this shift helps us see information not just as content, but as something that takes shape in use and interaction. Continue reading What We Mean by Information Seeing the bigger picture behind what we call information
We often treat information as something that can be stored, sent, or delivered. But if nothing changes, and there is no shift in perception or behavior, has any information really been shared? Gregory Bateson’s insight reminds us that information arises in context, as a difference that makes a difference. Continue reading Batesonian Information Information is a difference that makes a difference
We often think of information as something that can be stored or transmitted. But if it doesn’t change how something is seen or understood, is it really information? A relational view regards information not as a thing but as something that emerges from the interaction between a pattern and an interpreter—whether a human, a living organism, or any system capable of interpretation. Continue reading Information Emerges Through Relations Rethinking information through Bateson’s relational lens
In daily life, we think of information as meaning: stories, messages, and ideas. But Claude Shannon approached it differently. He focused on how reliably a message can be transmitted through noise. His theory reinterprets information as uncertainty, unlocking powerful tools for communication, coding, and understanding complex systems. Continue reading Information Theory Information is surprise
Complex systems are all around us, but understanding them isn’t just about recognizing their appearance. The real challenge is explaining how they work and why they persist. Functional information provides a practical approach to viewing structure in terms of its use, value, and consequences. Continue reading Making Sense of Functional Information Viewing things by how they work, not just how they look
We live in overlapping layers of meaning: personal, cultural, emotional, and historical. The challenge is that most data ignores this complexity, offering facts without context. Warm data provides a different approach: attending to the subtle, relational patterns that shape how things work and what truly matters in any situation. Continue reading Warm Data Understanding meaning through context, not just information
We often talk about information as if it were a fixed thing—something you can hold, send, or store. However, this way of thinking leads to confusion when examined more closely. Asking common questions helps reveal what information really is and how it depends on context, interpretation, and relationship. Continue reading Common Questions About Information ** Simple questions that challenge how we think about information
Life stands apart in its complexity, far beyond anything seen in non-living systems. The challenge is knowing how to clearly and measurably detect this complexity. Assembly Theory offers a method: look for objects that are both complex and abundant, shaped by the quiet force of selection. Continue reading The Informational Theory of Life How complexity and selection shape living systems
For centuries, science has focused on matter and energy to explain how the universe works. But what if these are not the most basic elements of reality? Some now argue that information might come first, shaping everything else we see and know. Continue reading It From Bit Is information more fundamental than matter?
