Control information theory: the ‘missing link’ in the science of cybernetics

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Feedback is routinely observed and measured in practice, in many different media.

“Feedback is routinely observed and measured in practice, and in many different media”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Feedback is a fundamental and quintessential aspect of any cybernetic process.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Habermas's work does not rise to the level of science.

“While Habermas's focus is useful and his aspirations commendable, his work does not rise to the level of science.”

May combine two claims.

Control information cannot encompass all forms of subjectivity, perception and meaning, but a certain class of external cybernetic consequences can be fully understood and measured.

“this is not to say that control information can encompass all of the many forms of subjectivity, perception and meaning but only that a certain class of external (cybernetic) consequences can be fully understood and measured.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Leydesdorff's work does not move us closer to a definition of information that can be related to cybernetic control in concrete, real-world systems.

“Conceptually, this seems quite useful, but it does not move us any closer to a definition of information that can be related to the problems of cybernetic control in concrete, real-world systems.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Potential control information is only actualized when a purposeful (cybernetic) system makes use of it.

“this potential is only actualized when a purposeful (cybernetic) system makes use of it.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Cybernetic processes are relational in nature-they are always dependent upon the relationship between a given system (inclusive of its goals) and its specific environment.

“cybernetic processes have the perverse property of being relational in nature --they are always dependent upon the relationship between a given system (inclusive of its goals) and its specific environment”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Information by itself cannot do anything; it cannot control a thermodynamic process without the presence of a user that can do purposeful work.

“information by itself cannot do anything; it cannot control a thermodynamic process without the presence of a user that can do purposeful work.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The effects of control information are objectively measurable and can be comprehended and documented by an outside observer.

“And yet, its effects are also objectively measurable in such a way that they can be fully comprehended and documented by an outside observer (in theory, at least).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Even the absence of something may be of informational significance to a cybernetic system.

“Indeed, even the absence of something may be of informational significance to a cybernetic system.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: Every aspect of the phenomenal world represents latent information that may be detected and used in cybernetic processes, and its role may be entirely passive.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information provides both a qualitative and a quantitative measure of information in terms of the functional consequences produced by a given informational unit in a given context.

“It provides both a qualitative and quantitative measure of information in terms of the functional consequences that are produced by a given informational unit in a given context.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Control information lends itself well to economic analyses.

“As we noted above, it also lends itself well to economic analyses.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Mechanisms for coding, storing and transmitting potential control information are reducible to their underlying physical processes; their informational properties arise only from the variety of ways these physical media may actually be utilized for informational purposes.

“the various mechanisms which exist in nature and human societies for coding, storing and transmitting potential control information are reducible to their underlying physical processes; their informational properties arise only from the variety of ways in which these physical media may actually be utilized for informational purposes.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The semiotics paradigm in its contemporary form requires a source or producer of messages communicated via some channel to a receiver or destination.

“Akey element of the semiotics paradigm in its contemporary form is the requirement for a source or a producer of messages that are communicated via some channel to a receiver or a destination.”

• cites Sebeok (1986) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The utility of the formalization can be broadened by making appropriate conversions from other units into energetic equivalencies.

“We believe that the utility of our formalization can be broadened by making appropriate conversions from these units into energetic equivalencies--a well-established technique in energetic analyses dating back to various efforts to develop energy theories of economic value in the 1930s.”

May combine two claims.

Information is not conserved in accordance with the first law of thermodynamics; it can be multiplied indefinitely.

“Nor is information ''conserved'' in accordance with the first law of thermodynamics; it can be multiplied indefinitely”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Semiotics has been applied to communications processes in other living systems, and there is a nascent inter-discipline called biosemiotics.

“Although the semiotics paradigm rather obviously applies to human language and communications systems, it has also been applied by semioticians to communications processes in other living systems. There is even a nascent new inter-discipline called biosemiotics (Hoffmeyer, 1997).”

• cites Hoffmeyer, 1997Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The concept of control information provides a new tool for analysing cybernetic processes, including feedback processes, in nature and in human systems.

“We believe that the concept of control information provides a new tool for analysing cybernetic processes, including feedback processes, both in nature and in human systems.”

May combine two claims.

No control information exists for a motorist who did not see the light, a Yanomamo tribesman, or an infant, and there are no measurable energetic consequences.

“Conversely, in accordance with our definition, no control information would exist for the motorist who did not see the light, or for the Yanomamo ¨ tribesman, or the infant, and there would be no measurable energetic consequences.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

In the scheme, potential control information (Ip) becomes control information (Ic) if and when it is utilized, and its power is a function of its organizing ability.

“In our scheme, potential control information ( I p) becomes control information ( I c ) if and when it is utilized, and its power is a function of its organizing ability--the organizing work that it can do with the available energy at hand in relation to a given system.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Luhmann does not define information except by allusion to Bateson's characterization of information as a difference that makes a difference.

“Though Luhmann uses the term information freely he does not define it except by allusion to Gregory Bateson's (1972) cryptic characterization as 'a difference that makes a difference'.”

• cites Bateson (1972)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

One can measure the qualitative effects or meaning of control information in terms of the results produced, that is, the cybernetic work accomplished.

“One can measure its qualitative effects, or its 'meaning', in terms of the results that are produced--the cybernetic work that is accomplished.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Control information cannot actually be measured except in vivo and in situ.

“control information cannot actually be measured except in vivo and in situ .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Luhmann failed to incorporate cybernetics into his theory.

“Luhmann is also reputed to have shared with his mentor, Talcott Parsons, an interest in cybernetics, but he failed to incorporate this empirically grounded science into his theory.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Feedback is the means by which cybernetic systems, especially living systems, cope with uncertainty and with discrepancies between subjective experience and the objective properties of the world.

“feedback is precisely the means by which cybernetic systems, especially living systems, cope with uncertainty and, equally important, any discrepancies between the subjective experience of the system and the objective properties of the world outside.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Feedback is a fundamental and quintessential aspect of any cybernetic process.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Habermas does not give an operational definition of information.

“He does not, to my knowledge, give us an operational definition of information.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Control information is analogous to money, whose value is not intrinsic but can be defined only in terms of specific, real-world transactions.

“Control information is analogous to money, whose value is not intrinsic but can be defined only in terms of specific, real-world transactions.”

May combine two claims.

In the red stoplight example, the signal produces an observable change in the behaviour of a motorist who stops, and this can be converted to a quantity of purposeful work output.

“In the red stoplight example, the signal produces a clearly observable change in the behaviour of any motorist who responds by stopping, and this can readily be converted to a quantity of purposeful work output.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information provides a missing element in Norbert Wiener's cybernetic paradigm.

“We believe that control information provides a missing element in Norbert Wiener's cybernetic paradigm.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In the four hypothetical hiker cases, the boulder generated different quantities of control information by influencing each hiker's behaviour.

“In each of the four hypothetical cases described above, the boulder generated different quantities of control information by virtue of its influence on the behaviour of each hiker.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Feedback enables the system to align the subjective and objective realms.

“Feedback enables the system to align the subjective and objective realms.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Feedback is a fundamental and quintessential aspect of any cybernetic process.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information causes purposeful work to be done in or by cybernetic systems.

“control information causes purposeful work to be done in or by cybernetic systems.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

There is no fundamental physical distinction between the two types of latent information; there is only a functional distinction.

“There is no fundamental physical distinction between the two types of latent information; there is only a functional distinction.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information is defined by the relationship between a particular cybernetic system (a user) and its environment(s)-external and internal.

“It is defined (and specified) by the relationship between a particular cybernetic system (a user) and his/her/its environment(s)--external and internal.”

May combine two claims.

Information has no dimensions, while thermodynamic entropy has the dimensions of energy divided by temperature.

“Information (properly defined) has no dimensions, while thermodynamic entropy has the dimensions of energy divided by temperature.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Virtually everything in the universe might potentially have informational value, but control information is not located in the physical objects alone.

“Virtually everything in the universe might, potentially, have informational value (i.e. be used by cybernetic systems for some purpose), but control information is not located in the physical objects alone.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Very often control information has synergistic properties; it emerges from an 'ensemble' of informational 'components' or 'fragments' that may be combined in many different ways.

“Very often control information has synergistic properties; it emerges from an 'ensemble' of informational 'components' or 'fragments' that may be combined in many different ways.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The existence and functional effects produced by control information are always context-dependent and user-specific.

“the very existence and functional effects produced by control information are always context-dependent and user-specific.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information can be measured in relation to what it does, namely its power to control and utilize available energy and matter in or by a purposeful system.

“Our view, in essence, is that it can be measured in relation to what it does--in relation to its 'power' to control and utilize available energy and matter in or by a purposeful system.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

No structural measuring rod for biological organization will be found.

“We believe that no such structural measuring rod will be found.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

In the control information paradigm, veracity does not count; the functional effects produced count.

“It is not the veracity which counts in the control information paradigm but the functional effects that are produced.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information is always defined in terms of the functional relationship between the source and the user.

“Control information is always defined in terms of the functional relationship between the source and the user.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In Shannon's usage, information refers to the capacity to reduce statistical uncertainty.

“in Shannon's usage information refers to the capacity to reduce statistical uncertainty”

• cites Shannon (1948)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

For a motorist who runs the stoplight, the potential information very likely changes alertness, heart rate, blood pressure, and may affect the automobile's speed.

“The potential information very likely would result in a change in the driver's degree of alertness, heart rate, blood pressure, etc., and may also result in a slowing down, speeding up or both, of the automobile.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Control information costs (Ai) are relatively low compared with the work an automobile can perform (Au).

“From this perspective, the control information costs ( Ai ) turn out to be relatively low compared with the work that an automobile can perform ( A u ) .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Potential control information is equally prevalent in the state properties of physical objects-temperature, mass, velocity, viscosity, etc.

“potential control information is equally prevalent in the state properties of physical objects-temperature, mass, velocity, viscosity, etc.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The control information paradigm provides a way of measuring the meaning of various signs in terms of one or more quantitative metrics.

“But most important, our paradigm provides a way of measuring the meaning of various signs in terms of one or more quantitative metrics.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

There must always be a user-a living system or a human-designed system-for control information.

“there must always be a user--a living system or a human-designed system.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Energetic units can serve as a common currency for measuring control information.

“Therefore, we propose the use of energetic units (initially at least) as a common currency for measuring control information.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Control information and semiotics are convergent but have different purposes and foci.

“In fact, these two formulations are convergent but have different purposes and foci.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The paradigm makes no provision for developmental or capital costs.

“It should also be noted that we have made no provision in our paradigm for developmental or capital costs--say the energetic investment in designing and building a demon or an automobile.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Habermas does not deal with non-verbal communications and control processes in humans, machines, robots, and the rest of the natural world.

“Nor does he deal with the vast domain of non-verbal communications and control processes, not only in humans but in machines and robots and (not least) the rest of the natural world.”

May combine two claims.

For a motorist who runs the stoplight, the energetic consequences are smaller but still significant, and the information influences the driver and the car.

“The energetic consequences would be much smaller, but they would still be significant; the information would exercise some influence over the behaviour of the driver (and the car).”

May combine two claims.

Control information has no fixed structure or value; it is not equivalent to any specific quantity of energy or order or entropy or the like.

“control information has no fixed structure or value. It is not equivalent to any specific quantity of energy or order or entropy or the like.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Feedback is the most reliable way of documenting the autonomy and purposiveness of any dynamic system.

“In fact, it is the most reliable way of documenting the autonomy and 'purposiveness' of any dynamic system.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Feedback is a fundamental and quintessential aspect of any cybernetic process.

May combine two claims.

Information can be endlessly reused; there is no law of informational entropy.

“information (unlike energy) can be endlessly reused; there is no law of informational entropy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

A single binary bit may control an energy flow as small as a single electron or as vast as the signal for a nuclear war; its power can vary tremendously depending upon the context.

“a single binary bit may (in theory) control an energy flow as small as a single electron or as vast as the signal for a nuclear war; its power can vary tremendously, depending upon the context.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The formalization deals only in the currency of energy.

“This formalization, it should be noted, deals only in the currency of energy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Control information has many practical applications and is already used implicitly as a measuring rod in many fields, from advertising to politics and education.

“Moreover, it has many practical applications; indeed, it is already used implicitly as a measuring rod in many different fields, from advertising to politics and education.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Control information can be measured.

“However, it can be measured (see below).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

An unread book, an unread genome or an undetected animal pheromone represent only latent or potential control information (Ip).

“An unread book, an unread genome or an undetected animal pheromone represent only latent or potential control information ( I p).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information does not exist until it is actually used.

“control information does not exist until it is actually used.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

It is not feedback if nothing happens.

“it is not feedback if nothing happens.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Feedback is a fundamental and quintessential aspect of any cybernetic process.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The environment contains latent or potential control information (Ip), but this potential does not differ in any way from the physical properties of the environment.

“the environment contains latent or potential control information (which we designate ' I p'), but this potential does not differ in any way from the physical properties of the environment.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

There are no discrete embedded properties out there.

“This is a crucial point; there are no discrete embedded properties out there.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Wiener failed to develop a functional definition of information, which is essential to understanding the role and dynamics of communication and control in cybernetic systems.

“Wiener failed to develop a functional definition of information, which is essential to an understanding of the role and dynamics of 'communication and control' in cybernetic systems.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Control information is the capacity to control the capacity to do work.

“If energy, in accordance with the classical definition, is 'the capacity to do work', control information is ' the capacity to control the capacity to do work '.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Habermas's theory encompasses at best a very small subset of cybernetic processes and does not advance information science per se.

“His theory encompasses at best a very small subset of the vast universe of cybernetic processes and it does not advance information science per se .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The control information paradigm does not presuppose a discreet source of messages or structured channels.

“First, it does not presuppose a discreet source of messages or structured channels.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Much of the information used by (and within) organisms involves processes that might be characterized as inferential-they derive from the weight of the evidence rather than from a deterministic message.

“much of the information used by (and within) organisms involves processes that might be characterized as inferential--that is they derive from the weight of the evidence rather than from a deterministic message.”

May combine two claims.

There is no minimum energy expenditure necessarily associated with information flows; in theory, the information flow could be made reversible.

“physicist Rolf Landauer (1996) has devised a thought experiment which supports his argument that there is no minimum energy expenditure that is necessarily associated with information flows; in theory, the information flow could be made reversible”

• cites Landauer (1996) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Bennett, 1988Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Control information is always relational and context dependent and has no independent material existence; it cannot be identified or measured independently of a specific cybernetic process.

“control information is always relational and context dependent and has no independent material existence; it cannot be identified or measured independently of a specific cybernetic process.”