The Information Manifold: Why Computers Can't Solve Algorithmic Bias and Fake News (History and Foundations of Information Science)
$10.54
Description
Book Synopsis: An argument that information exists at different levels of analysis—syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic—and an exploration of the implications.
Although this is the Information Age, there is no universal agreement about what information really is. Different disciplines view information differently; engineers, computer scientists, economists, linguists, and philosophers all take varying and apparently disconnected approaches. In this book, Antonio Badia distinguishes four levels of analysis brought to bear on information: syntactic, semantic, pragmatic, and network-based. Badia explains each of these theoretical approaches in turn, discussing, among other topics, theories of Claude Shannon and Andrey Kolomogorov, Fred Dretske's description of information flow, and ideas on receiver impact and informational interactions. Badia argues that all these theories describe the same phenomena from different perspectives, each one narrower than the previous one. The syntactic approach is the more general one, but it fails to specify when information is meaningful to an agent, which is the focus of the semantic and pragmatic approaches. The network-based approach, meanwhile, provides a framework to understand information use among agents.
Badia then explores the consequences of understanding information as existing at several levels. Humans live at the semantic and pragmatic level (and at the network level as a society), computers at the syntactic level. This sheds light on some recent issues, including “fake news” (computers cannot tell whether a statement is true or not, because truth is a semantic notion) and “algorithmic bias” (a pragmatic, not syntactic concern). Humans, not computers, the book argues, have the ability to solve these issues.
Details
Are you tired of the overwhelming influx of fake news and biased algorithms? Look no further than "The Information Manifold: Why Computers Can't Solve Algorithmic Bias and Fake News" book. This captivating read by Antonio Badia delves into the different levels of analysis of information, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding it.
In this age of rapidly advancing technology, it’s essential to comprehend the various perspectives through which information is viewed. Engineers, computer scientists, economists, and linguists all bring distinct approaches to the table. By exploring theories from leading minds such as Claude Shannon and Andrey Kolomogorov, Badia illustrates how these frameworks shed light on the multifaceted nature of information.
One of the key arguments presented in this book is the difference in ability between humans and computers when it comes to distinguishing truth from falsehood. While computers rely on the syntactic level of analysis, humans operate at the semantic and pragmatic levels, enabling them to grasp the meaningfulness and impact of information. This revelation is particularly relevant in the face of the growing issue of "fake news", where a semantic understanding is imperative in determining the veracity of statements.
Furthermore, "The Information Manifold" uncovers the pragmatic concern of algorithmic bias. Computers, devoid of the capacity for societal context, struggle to discern the potential repercussions of biased algorithms. The book argues that it is ultimately humans who possess the cognitive abilities to address and rectify these issues.
Take control of your information landscape and be equipped to navigate the complexities of information analysis and interpretation. Explore the depths of "The Information Manifold" and gain a holistic understanding of information. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking journey - get your copy now!
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