counting electric sheep understanding information in the context of media ecology计算电子羊传媒生态的理解上下文中的信息.pdfVIP

Information 2012, 3, 442-471; doi:10.3390/info3030442 OPEN ACCESS information ISSN 2078-2489 /journal/information Article Counting Electric Sheep: Understanding Information in the Context of Media Ecology Lance Strate Department of Communication and Media Studies, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458, USA; E-Mail: strate@; Tel.: +1-718-817-4864; Fax: +1-718-817-4868 Received: 29 August 2012; in revised form: 5 September 2012 / Accepted: 7 September 2012 / Published: 18 September 2012 Abstract: In the field of media ecology, defined as the study of media as environments, media and medium, and ecology and environment are key terms, while information, although commonly employed, is generally used without reference to a specific definition. This article examines the mostly implicit assumptions about and understandings of the term information in the context of the field of media ecology. Information can be seen as a synonym or subset of content or message, can be divided into different orders or levels of content/communication and relationship/medium, and on both levels is dependent on and altered by changes in technology, code, and form. Although sometimes discussed as if it were a substance, information is best understood as a function of communication, which in turn is a function of mediation. As a function of mediated communication, information is closely associated with news and control. Information is also considered the defining