Posted by Martyn R Jones on March 14, 1998 at 08:10:18:

In Reply to: On Sense, Sensibility and Nonsense posted by Yogesh Malhotra on March 13, 1998 at 22:05:51:

If language really "is a virus sent to us from outer space" then trying to accurately define knowledge, information and data using a relatively imprecise and flawed symbol system - the english language - maybe fraught with risk and vulnerable to frustration.

Basic atomic data does not in general allow us to implicitly identify or to gain meaning from it. Data when placed in context becomes - in general and to those who understand the context setting - information. If the contextual setting of the data is not understand then it also can only be classified as data.

Some data can also carry context content that allows us - and systems - to derive its significance. However, on many occasions when we interpret data as information based on content we also apply other - perhaps in most cases subconsciously - environmental or predetermined contextual elements in the interpretation of data.

The setting of data in an understandable context defines information. This defining context could be the association of data with - for example - semantic links e.g. CAPITAL: USA: WASHINGTON … or by association and grouping WASHINGTON, LONDON, PARIS or by relative proximity VIOLET, INDIGO, MAGENTA, MAUVE, PURPLE, BLUE etc.

The ability to interpret data and information based on context, space and time allows us to define and trigger the creation and re-use of knowledge based on a symbiotic re-use of previously known or identifiable knowledge. This last point is basically restating the inevitable fact that new knowledge is mainly derived from the innovative association of old knowledge - and maybe previously unrelated knowledge - to new problems, challenges and artifact creation.

Best regards,

Martyn

Martyn Jones
HP GCC Bahrain

para capital intelectual
@ibm.net

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Follow Ups:

• Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' Yogesh Malhotra 17:15:16 3/15/98 (8)
  • Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' TomSudman 11:56:48 3/16/98 (7)
    • Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' Yogesh Malhotra 13:35:37 3/17/98 (6)
      • Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' Jay Reay 16:51:52 3/17/98 (2)
        • Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' Jay Reay 10:01:25 3/18/98 (0)
        • Your final paragraph says it all Tom Sudman 17:41:44 3/17/98 (0)
      • Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' Jay Reay 16:48:10 3/17/98 (0)
      • Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' Jay Reay 16:47:43 3/17/98 (0)
      • Re: On 'Common Sense' vs. 'Shared Sense' Jay Reay 16:47:25 3/17/98 (0)

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