The whole truth
Posts: 1554
Joined: Jan. 2012
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| Quote (OgreMkV @ Mar. 01 2013,17:35) | | Quote (Joe G @ Mar. 01 2013,15:03) | [URL=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/information]information[/a]:
b: the attribute inherent in and communicated by one of two or more alternative sequences or arrangements of something (as nucleotides in DNA or binary digits in a computer program) that produce specific effects See also “Meyer, “Signature in the Cell” page 86
When Shannon developed his information theory he was not concerned about "specific effects". Shannon was looking for a way to quantify information, regardless of any meaning. Shannon gave us a way to check for a proper transmission (across a communication channel) and storage of information, counting bits. He also gave us a way to figure out the information carrying capacity of any signal.
He did that by linking information to uncertainty and then linking that to measures of probability.
But anyway, that is why Dembski used “specified information”- Specified Information is Shannon Information with meaning/ function. Meaning/ function is observed and then Shannon’s methodology is applied to quantify it.
So when IDists speak of "information" we are talking about specified information. THAT is the information used in and associated with information technology and everyday living. It is also the "information" without which communication would be impossible. |
So even Dembski admits that information does not equal meaning.
Otherwise you would have information + information, which is just silly.
Another own goal from JoeG. Give him a hand folks. |
From dumbski himself on page 147 of No Free Lunch:
"To define CSI requires only the mereological and statistical aspects of information. No syntax or theory of meaning is required."
"In particular, the intelligent agent need not assign a meaning to the pattern."
"Neither CSI nor semantic information presupposes the other. This in my view is a tremendous asset of CSI, for it allows one to detect design without necessarily determining the function, purpose, or meaning of a thing that is designed (which is not to say that function, purpose, or meaning may not be useful in identifying a specification, but they are not mandated)."
ETA: Something is wrong. I can't get the link to NFL to show up correctly, even with tinyurl.
Edited by The whole truth on Mar. 01 2013,21:09
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But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. -Jesus in Luke 19:27
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