Informational Tracking

Sylvie Leleu-Merviel, Valenciennes et du Hainaut-Cambrésis University, France.

• Introduction xiiiChapter 1. The First Information Theories 1                                                                                                                          1.1. Introduction 11.2. The mathematical theory of information by Shannon 31.2.1. Beginnings of this theory 31.2.2. Shannon’s generalization 51.2.3. Information and entropy 61.3. Kolmogorov’s algorithmic theory of information 71.3.1. Succinct presentation 71.3.2. First algorithmic information theory 81.3.3. Second algorithmic information theory 91.4. Delahaye’s further developments 101.4.1. Gaps 101.4.2. Information value 101.4.3. Raw information content 111.4.4. Pragmatic aspects related to information value 121.5. Final remarks 13Chapter 2. Understanding Shannon through Play 152.1. Introduction 152.2. The game of tele-balls 162.2.1. Layout and rules of the game 162.2.2. Producing the source event 172.2.3. Channel and transmission 172.2.4. Transmission 182.2.5. End of the process 192.3. The teachings of the tele-ball game 192.3.1. The concept of “tele” 202.3.2. The technical grounding 202.3.3. The system’s language 212.3.4. Synchronization and the clock 212.3.5. Introduction to noise 222.4. The general diagram of communication/transmission 222.4.1. Schematic diagram of a general communication system according to Shannon 232.4.2. Extension to information beyond the game of tele-balls 242.4.3. Sense and nonsense 252.4.4. Electronic media designers at work 272.5. Conceptual confusion in the so-called information theories 292.5.1. Terminological shift 292.5.2. Weaver’s levels of information 292.5.3. Measuring information: the CONTAINER 302.5.4. Inaccuracies and easy approximations between content and container 312.5.5. Opening to other perspectives 312.6. Conclusion 32Chapter 3. “Tele” before Shannon 353.1. Introduction 353.2. The speaking African drums 353.2.1. The speaking drums 363.2.2. The tone as bit 363.2.3. Redundancy 373.3. The problems of long-distance communication 383.3.1. The ancient solutions 383.3.2. The telegraph 393.3.3. The Morse system 423.3.4. Alpha bravo code 443.4. Conclusion 45Chapter 4. Some Revisions of the Concept of Information 474.1. Introduction 474.2. A double-faced concept: Capurro and Hjørland 484.2.1. Towards an operational concept 494.2.2. An etymological exploration 494.2.3. Oppositions and relations, taxonomy and complexity 514.2.4. Going on… between measurable signal and signifying emergence 524.3. The Mathematical Theory of Information (MTI) as a starting point: Segal 524.3.1. Mathematics rejoining the Human Sciences? 534.3.2. A measure for meaningless information 534.3.3. A unifying project that bumped into semantics 554.3.4. The incursion of information in the Human Sciences 564.3.5. Beyond the MTI 584.4. The Diaphoric Definition of Data (DDD): Floridi 594.4.1. Information, data, meaning 594.4.2. A definition of information based on data 614.4.3. Diaphoric Definition of Data in three levels 624.4.4. Diaphorae and saliencies 634.4.5. Data as a relational entity 644.4.6. Beyond the DDD 674.5. A pattern-oriented approach (POA): Bates 684.5.1. A definition of information based on patterns 694.5.2. Discussion 704.5.3. Final considerations, with the aim of approaching diverse viewpoints 734.6. Founding statements for a theory of information 754.6.1. Information and meaning 754.6.2. Notion of data 764.6.3. Notion of signal 764.6.4. Notion of information 774.6.5. Notion of sense 784.6.6. Notion of message 794.6.7. Before concluding 804.7. Conclusion 81Chapter 5. Conceptualization and Representations 835.1. Introduction 835.2. Natural and artifactual devices for producing representations 845.2.1. Meaning? Data processing, representation and information! 845.2.2. Hierarchization of representational capabilities 865.2.3. Computerized artifacts modeling natural devices 915.3. Human conceptualization 945.3.1. The relativity of the object 945.3.2. The relativity of appearance qualifiers 955.3.3. A rigorous formalization of human conceptualization 1005.4. About what “exists” in common thought, in natural language and in formal language 1015.4.1. Concepts: the chair, the table and the beginning 1015.4.2. Conceptual trompe-l’oeil 1025.4.3. Sensory perception and object genesis 1045.4.4. Kantian philosophy, the “real” and “knowledge” 1085.5. The resulting epistemological revolutions 1105.5.1. Not data, but constructions about the world 1115.5.2. A relevance horizon-oriented framework 1115.5.3. The end of truth and objectivity 1125.6. Conclusion 113Chapter 6. From Captures to Data 1156.1. Introduction 1156.2. An illustrative sketch: a view of the human body 1166.2.1. The “human specimen” horizon of relevance, defined by its visible forms 1166.2.2. The “patient” horizon of relevance, defined by its symptoms 1176.2.3. The “pathology” horizon of relevance, defined by a specialized examination 1176.2.4. The “clinical case” horizon of relevance, defined by a debate about the case 1186.2.5. The horizon of Information and Communication Sciences 1196.2.6. The radical relativity of the “viewpoint” 1196.3. From the interactional bath to distinction 1206.3.1. Postulates 1206.3.2. The supremacy of subjectivity 1216.3.3. First phase: cut-out in the tissue of indistinct interactions 1226.3.4. Second phase: generation of an object-entity 1236.4. Diaphoric data and qualification? 1246.4.1. Description at the heart of the problem 1246.4.2. A reminder of the diaphoric approach 1266.4.3. Zero degree: a-conceptual captures 1276.4.4. From a-conceptual captures to the factory of views 1286.4.5. Back to the qualifying phase of the object-entity 1296.5. Conclusion 131Chapter 7. From Data to Aggregates 1337.1. Introduction 1337.2. Data: raw material of the semantic chain 1347.2.1. Batesonian perspective 1347.2.2. Informational raw material 1357.2.3. Third phase: qualification of the object-entity 1357.2.4. Rigorous formalization of the qualification of an object-entity 1377.2.5. From capta to data 1387.2.6. An example: the map and the territory 1397.3. Aggregates: meaningful superstructures 1407.3.1. Back to patterns: essential data or mental constructions? 1417.3.2. Back to Gestalt theory 1427.3.3. Aggregates for scaffolding a point of view 1437.3.4. Aggregate operations: a basic example 1447.3.5. Coalescence as the foundation for interpretive scaffolding 1477.3.6. Conceptual integration 1497.3.7. Pareidolia for illustrating interpretive scaffolding by coalescence 1527.3.8. In the end 1557.4. Meaning: individual production or social construct? 1587.4.1. A subjective, situational and pragmatic conception 1587.4.2. A laying-out of incommunicable individual experience 1597.4.3. Negotiated and shareable meaning 1607.4.4. Public procedures for legalizing knowledge 1617.4.5. The horizon of relevance underlying conceptualization 1627.5. Conclusion 163Chapter 8. Trace Deployment from Indexical Retention to Writing 1658.1. Introduction 1658.2. The trace as registered indexical retention 1688.2.1. Spectrum: the trace as past retention 1688.2.2. The Res: inscription in a physical mode of existence 1718.2.3. Wrapping up 1758.3. The search of the trace as evidence or proof 1758.3.1. The Studium: the search for meaning in context 1768.3.2. The Documentum: instruction of the “trace process” 1808.3.3. Summarizing 1858.4. The trace as writing 1868.4.1. The Punctum: writing beyond evidence 1868.4.2. Some complementary comments before concluding 1898.5. Conclusion 191Chapter 9. Interpretive Scaffoldings in Context 1959.1. Introduction 1959.2. Information and trace 1959.2.1. Specter of a real process that took place 1959.2.2. Retention registered on a medium 1979.2.3. Qualified by a coherent and credible aggregate 1979.2.4. Authentified by tracking 1989.2.5. Traces without information, information without traces? 2019.3.    The horizon of expectation, by Hans Robert Jauss 2029.3.1. For a reception-centered approach 2029.3.2 Introduction to the notion of horizon of expectation 2039.3.3 A generalized cognitive translation of the horizon of expectation 2039.4. Relevance, according to Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson 2049.4.1. Communication and information according to Sperber and Wilson 2059.4.2. Taking the context into account 2069.4.3. The principle of relevance 2089.5. Weaving the horizon of expectation and the theory of relevance 2099.5.1. Extractions and generalizations 2099.5.2. Being bound to a horizon of relevance 2109.6. Coalescence considered under the light of a horizon of relevance 2119.6.1. An ordinary example from everyday life 2129.7. Interpretive aggregate by means of example: visual sense-making 2149.7.1. Visual captures 2159.7.2. Aggregate emergence 2169.7.3. The horizon of relevance, a framework for interpretation 2179.7.4. Conclusion 223Chapter 10. Realities under the Watch of Horizons of Relevance 22510.1. Introduction 22510.2. Back to the relation to the Real 22610.2.1. Truth is a fiction 22610.2.2. Substituting reality for truth 22710.2.3. Circumscribing the real versus qualifying the real 22710.2.4. Interpretive scaffoldings 22810.3. Some examples 23010.3.1. A sculpture by Camille Claudel 23010.3.2. A vegetable 23110.3.3. Cultural modulations of meaning 23210.3.4. The seeds of discord 23310.3.5. The windows and their points of view 23310.3.6. Final considerations 23510.4. Conclusion: legalization of meaning in the age of Digital Humanities 235Conclusion 237Bibliography 241Index 253