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From: stgoldberg@aol.com (Stgoldberg)
Newsgroups: alt.consciousness
Subject: If consciousness=information then what is "information"?
Date: 19 Feb 1995 17:00:19 -0500
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According to one view of strong AI, consciousness is the information
processed in the brain.  The brain with its associated neurons is the
carrier of the information whereas the information itself constitutes
consciousness.  Similarly, a tape or compact disc is the carrier of
information, and the information in both may be the same even though the
carriers may be different.
 If consciousness=information, then how does one define "information."
One cannot say that information has to be something that is communicated,
since one can keep in mind information that one never communicates.  One
cannot say the information is something "useful" since there can be
useless information.  I am really asking this question of those of you out
there who are familiar with information theory, which I am not.  I
understand that in information theory, "information" is somehow defined in
terms of its degree of organization and is even regarded as a form of
energy which can be described in terms of entropy when it dissipates.  But
can you give me a formal definition of "information"?  It would appear
important to do so if only because we keep using the term in regard to the
"Age of Information."  And is information a form of energy, or is it
something else that only contains energy? I would greatly appreciate your
comments.

Stephen Goldberg
Associate Professor, University of Miami School of Medicine
Coordinator, neuroanatomy teaching
stgoldberg.aol.com

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