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Dear Klaus,
For this issue, I have what seems to me a reasonable answer.
"i don't know why you wish to define data and information independent of
humans."
The term data permits one to define facts or states or [whatever] in the
world as distinct from its perceivers, and the term information permits one
to deal with structured data stored in books, computers, etc., without
regardto what one does with it.
In one sense, I agree that "text needs a reader to be a text."
The other issues become fuzzy. While "information is always relative to
someone's state of knowing," information can also exist regardless of the
state of knowing or the use made of it. I don't know the informationj
printed in today's New York Times, but it is there and it exists.
Data also exist. There is some kind of temperature in Toledo or Timbuktoo
or on the moon, whether I've measured it or not. At least those kinds of
data are facts of nature.
I'm not sure that Dubya's IQ or his compassion quotient would hold the same
kind of status, but there are facts of nature and some other items that
could fairly be called data whether we know them or not and without regard
to our feelings or construction.
Anyhow, that's my thinking on this.
Like the world and like your site, my thoughts are also under construction.
Warm regards,
Ken
p.s. I observe that you posted your reply to me to the list, so I'll answer
to make my thoughts clear.
I notice with some puzzlement the fact that so many people post BOTH to the
list AND to respondents. When one posts to the list, everyone can read and
there is no need to respond ALSO to individuals.
When I post to the list, I intend to be read by all. When I post to a
private person using the reply default, I intend to respond only to that
person. It's no big deal on this ... had nothing private to say.
For the sake of clarity, though, it should be clear that there are
responses to the list which go to everyone and posts to private persons
which go to them alone. I clearly distinguish between those categories, and
when I post to the list, I don't bother with a private response
specifically because I know the single individual is going to read it when
all our other colleagues do.
>ken,
>
>thanks for your comment.
>
>i don't know why you wish to define data and information independent of
>humans. i have worked much on content analysis, as you know, and came to
>understand that text needs a reader to be a text. information is always
>relative to someone's state of knowing. and data are made by someone who
>by denying their making wants them to be accepted as facts of nature. i
>don't want to buy into this epistemology.
>
>although i should know the mary cathrin bateson story, it doesn't ring a
>bell right now.
>
>greetings
>
>klaus
>
Ken Friedman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategic Design
Department of Knowledge Management
Norwegian School of Management
+47 22.98.50.00 Telephone
+47 22.98.51.11 Telefax
Home office:
+46 (46) 53.245 Telephone
+46 (46) 53.345 Telefax
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