Concepts of Information

Simply put, information is something that describes an ordered reality. Brenda Dervin, the author of the third chapter of Robert Jacobson’s book Information Design, states that, “information represents in an identical way the form and content of reality.” (Jacobson, pg 35) To a human, information is the ultimate survival tool.

There are roughly seven western narratives that provide a concept of information: (Jacobson, pg 37)

1. Information describes an ordered reality
2. Information describes an ordered reality but can be “found” only by those with the proper observing skills and technologies
3. Information describes an ordered reality that varies across time and space
4. Information describes an ordered reality that varies from culture to culture
5. Information describes an ordered reality that varies from person to person
6. Information is an instrument of power imposed in discourse on those without power
7. Information imposes order on a chaotic reality

Dervin points out that there’s another narrative: she states, “It is possible to look at narratives #2 through #7 as a struggle with two ideas inherent in narrative #1 – the notions of a fixed and orderly reality and of a human power to observe that can accurately perceive that reality.” (Jacobson, pg 39-40) She continues, stating, “Narrative #8 builds on the earlier narratives most clearly in its position on observing at the same time as it attempts to transcend the impossible choice by accepting both the ordered realities of narratives #1 through #5 and the imposed/chaotic realities of narratives #6 and #7. Thus narrative #8 posits that humans live in a reality that sometimes manifests itself in orderly ways and sometimes manifests itself in chaotic ways.” (Jacobson, pg 40 )

What does this have to do with Information design?

Good question - because we all travel different paths through life (and “time and space”) we all have a different perspective on physical, natural and social realities. There are gaps in these realities that present an inherent inability to be completely instructed (i.e., to attain complete information). (Jacobson, pg 41)

Design is the answer. The 8th narrative (humans live on a reality that sometimes manifests itself in orderly ways and sometimes manifests itself in chaotic ways) refocuses our attention away from the information. Because humans are both ordered and chaotic – moving through a world that is both ordered and chaotic – the information is designed and redesigned for any specific reality. Information is confirmed, supported, challenged, resisted and destroyed. (Jacobson, pg 41 ) According to Dervin, this perspective introduces power as a primary consideration (see narrative #6). The result of this is that the current design situation is one in which information is assumed to be natural but is in fact designed. And, according to Dervin, “because it is designed without attention to design, it fits the needs, struggles, and resources of the designers – putting all others at a disadvantage.” (Jacobson, pg 42 )