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Illuminating the social production and history of the term information as a substantive, Day (library and information science, Wayne State U.) identifies three information ages of the 20th century: European documentation before and soon after World War II, US information theory and cybernetics soon after World War II, and the virtual age that was proclaimed shortly before the end of the century. A major concern is to resurrect some earlier notions of information that do not assume a predetermined and unavoidable future.
E-Book Content
The Modern Invention of Information Discourse, History, and Power Ronald E. Day
The Modern Invention of Information
The
Modern Invention of
Information Discourse, History, and Power
Ronald E. Day
Southern Illinois University Press Carbondale and Edwardsville
Copyright © 2001 by the Board of Trustees, Southern Illinois University All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America 04 03 02 01 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Day, Ronald E., 1959– The modern invention of information : discourse, history, and power / Ronald E. Day. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Information society—History. 2. Information theory—History. 3. Information theory in literature. 4. Information science—Philosophy—History. I. Title. HM851 .D38 2001 306.4'2'09—dc21 00-047033 ISBN 0-8093-2390-7 (alk. paper) The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992. ∞
To Michael K. Buckland In Admiration and Friendship
Contents Acknowledgments
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1. Introduction: Remembering “Information”
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2. European Documentation: Paul Otlet and Suzanne Briet
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3. In