Information Machines and the Brave New World |
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| Authors: | J D R de Raadt |
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| Institution: | College of Business , Idaho State University , Pocatello, ID, 83201 |
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| Abstract: | Abstract This is an appraisal of the impact that the mechanization of knowledge has had upon modern society, and a search for the driving force behind this mechanization. The investigation starts by examining the multimodal structure of social systems, giving special consideration to the discrete modal orders that are found in a civilized and humane society. It proposes a multimodal definition of information that determines the information requirements of such a society. A distinction is then suggested between information systems and information machines, followed by an inquiry into the historical roots that have urged society to rely increasingly upon information machines for knowledge while dismissing information systems. The discussion concludes with some social illustrations that show the effect of mechanistic information upon modern lives. |
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| Keywords: | Information machine social mechanization reductionism humane social system cybernetics modality requisite variety |
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