What is Information? A Theory of Information Trilogy

A Theory of Information Trilogy for Information Ecosystem

by Asif Gill

Information is/of Everything (IioE)

We hear many definitions of information and related concepts such as data, information itself, knowledge and intelligence. Well, all these definitions seem useful from information probability, quantification, measurement, storage, processing and management perspective. We still wonder what is "it" and how to identity "it", which we call "information". This blog defines and describes nature ecosystem inspired definition of information, which is called here a "Theory of Information Trilogy" (ToIT).  This theory is defined with a view to define and identify information in complex and heterogenous information ecosystems. 

This theory defines that the information is (1) matter and (2) energy, which has different (3) states or forms. Matter and energy flow in the natural ecosystem. Further, from natural ecosystem, these 3 matter, energy and their state are translated to identify other 9 types of generic elements for information ecosystem context such as organism, place, time, thing, event, mechanism, state, intuition and consequence (Fig. 1).  For instance, matter and energy are translated to form (state) an "organism". An organism (e.g. human, animals) is also an ensemble of information (matter, energy and state) and part of an infosphere (e.g. like metaphysical and biosphere).  If we focus on organisms (a.k.a actors) and their interactions, we can identify other elements of information such as they live in a space (place) and time (data and time), they interact with things such as devices etc.   In summary, organism-interaction centric approach helps to identity other 8 elements (a mix of matter, energy and state). These total 9 generic elements can be used as a lens and be instantiated for a specific type of ecosystems (e.g. business ecosystem, financial ecosystem, health ecosystem, agriculture ecosystem) for identifying specific information elements, actors and their interactions for further analysis, storage and processing in the information ecosystem. 

Figure 1: A Theory of Information Trilogy for Information Ecosystem (Gill 2021)

This theory compliments the Shannon's Mathematical Theory of Communication (MTC). Information can be defined using the ToIT and its exchange/sharing in the ecosystem can be guided by the MTC. Further, the ToIT can be related to other information theories such as human information processing theory, quantum information science, quantum information systems, no-hiding theorem, black hole information paradox, theory of relativity, conservation of quantum information etc. 

Matter

We live in an information ecosystem where everything is information, information is life or a synonym for reality. We observe matter all around us in our natural ecosystem, which can be observed in different states such as solid, liquid, gas and plasma. Take an example of a solid stone. Solid  is a state of matter. Well, the question is then: what is "matter"? When we look at the stone, we detect its size, weight, shape and color etc. What we are observing is "information". Thus, as a point of fact, stone is a solid representation of the information, which is visible in solid form. Take an example of an IoT oxygen sensor, it detects the presence of a gas where gas represents the state of information. Thus, we may say that "information is/as a matter" is everywhere in our ecosystem and can be observed in different forms or states such as solids, liquids, gases and plasma (Fig. 2).

Figure 2: A Theory of Information Trilogy - Natural Ecosystem View  (Gill 2021)

Energy

Energy flows in our ecosystem. Energy is required to process things or carryout task. We need energy to play, exercise, read, speak, smell and sense etc. As per The Law of Conservation of energy, energy cannot be destroyed, however, it can be transferred from one form to another (e.g. chemical  to electrical). Energy transfer may involve matter (e.g. The Laws of Thermodynamics) such as information in a given system, and that system in a surrounding environment. For instance, boiling a water requires: heat energy, a stove and water in a water container. Energy in the form of heat energy will flow between the closed integrated system of matter (stove, water container, water) for obtaining the hot water. Here, we can observe energy is required to change the state of a matter (liquid) such as water from cold to hot water. It is also important to note here that energy and its form (e.g. chemical, electrical, gravitational, heat, light and  mechanical energy etc.) are also information. For instance, information flows between organisations (matter) to make decisions and perform certain tasks for a certain purpose. We may say that information exists as energy. Further, like energy, information as energy cannot be destroyed or created (see Law of Conservation of energy), it is already there in our ecosystem. It needs to be discovered. Once discovered, it can then be combined, integrated, processed and transformed to derive information, which is different from creating information altogether. Conduct a simple experiment. Take a paper and ask someone who you do not know to tell you their name. You write their name on the paper. After writing their name, you destroy the paper. Have you destroyed the information you just obtained? Ask your brain about the name of the person who you just wrote on the destroyed paper. You may probably remember the name and can reproduce on a paper  or via verbal conversation using sound energy.  This tells us that information follows the Law of Conservation of energy. Information may be faded, which is not frequently accessed, but it is still somewhere there and can be reproduced or recycled.  

State of Matter and Energy   

If information is a matter or energy, which may exist in different forms or states. These states represent  information, thus these states radiate information, therefor, they are also information. Thus, information is also a state of matter and energy, which takes a matter or energy (information) from unknown (unknown information) to a known (known information) state.  It can be suggested that information is a matter and energy, which is available in different states (Fig. 1). In nutshell, state of a matter/energy is also information. 

Information Layers

While existing theories largely focus on the information measurement/ quantification (e.g. quantifying matter as information, classic/quantum physics). Well, before its quantification, we need to recognise it. Based on the observation of reality, information is a matter, energy and state. Here, focus is on "is". Matter/Energy/ their state is made of information, which is actually the information. Information is turned into matter via translation layer.  On the other side, Matter/Energy/ their state is also considered "AS" information for further processing. Universe is created with a finite amount of protected information (information of everything i.e. past, present, future) from the grand script/ plan (which is information), both are in a universal sealed information tablet. Information tablet releases information via translation layer. Then information is translated into matter, energy and their state. Further, matter, energy and their state can be translated to information. Further, from here information can be translated to other generic elements for further processing such as organism, place, time, event, mechanism, state, intuition and consequence. 

Figure 3: A Theory of Information Trilogy - Information Layers (Gill 2021)

Information Principles

The learning from the above are summarised in generic information principles.  These principles along 9 generic information principles can help us to to study organism-interaction centric information ecosystems for different contexts such as digital information ecosystem, business ecosystem etc.

Figure 4: A Theory of Information Trilogy - Information Principles (Gill 2021)

Summary

In summary, information is both matter and energy, and has different states. These 3 fundamental concepts of information from natural ecosystem (physical and biological ecosystems) can then be translated to 9 types of generic information elements for information ecosystem (Fig. 5), which are augmented with generic information principles.   

Figure 5. A Theory of Information Trilogy - Information Ecosystem (Gill 2021)