Thank you a most interesting essay somewhat tangential to my own specialty: language translation, where the most important parts are thought to be the white spaces between the words and lines.
And thank for your delightful “flamingosity,” a truly wonderful neologism.
Thanks, I think the idea of translation is very relevant, because on some level information theory is saying everything can be translated to and from the same language (series of 0s and 1s). I think it's a word that needs to exist if it didn't before.
I am reminded of the EFF essay on metadata, arguing against telecoms, etc providers who say it is not privacy invading, yet some trivial analysis would should you may have got a call from a doctor, then call a abortion helpline, or received an email from the hospital, then visited a HIV advice website shortly afterwards.
Yes, I think that's a good example .. it's also interesting to think what you leak by having your phone location switched on, using supermarket loyalty cards etc. I think the EFF view is that everyone's personal data is so precious that nobody should do any of these things, whereas I tend to the view that my life probably isn't interesting enough that people would be bothered to triangulate all these things. (Or I hope not anyway)
I really enjoyed this essay; thank you. I'd never considered before how one can infer so much from the existence and form of communications entirely regardless of their contents.
I liked the link to professional communication, something I am trying to get my head around at the moment. It makes me think, perhaps mistakenly, of Cal Newport’s critiques of email and Slack where the abundance of communication can undermine workflow.
Also, the Cardinal’s influence network reminds me of Franco Moretti’s network-theory plot analysis of Hamlet. Do you know whether this leverages linear algebra in a similar way or are there significant differences between network- and information-theory approaches?
Glad you found it interesting. In terms of the Moretti thing, looking at this paper here https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii68/articles/franco-moretti-network-theory-plot-analysis it seems as if you could probably do something more sophisticated with his network. In particular he just draws an edge if there's a connection, whereas I suspect you could do better with weighted edges (e.g. counting the number of times there is an interaction). But it's certainly in the same area I think
The notion of ideas crops up, as you say. Has me ruminating on the value of tacit and explicit ideas, hierarchical order and its limitations when instrumentalising knowledge in human societies (err... organisations?), or perhaps more fundamentally in the human brain. Attempting 'resolution' via a dialectic procedure does not always turn up a good idea?
There is a story of Picasso having visited the Lascaux Caves declaring that 'we have learned nothing' [in the time since].
And accurate, I think. Artists have invented other media and techniques since but on their own terms Paleolithic cave paintings include some of the greatest works of art.
Thank you a most interesting essay somewhat tangential to my own specialty: language translation, where the most important parts are thought to be the white spaces between the words and lines.
And thank for your delightful “flamingosity,” a truly wonderful neologism.
Thanks, I think the idea of translation is very relevant, because on some level information theory is saying everything can be translated to and from the same language (series of 0s and 1s). I think it's a word that needs to exist if it didn't before.
Interesting as always, thanks!
I am reminded of the EFF essay on metadata, arguing against telecoms, etc providers who say it is not privacy invading, yet some trivial analysis would should you may have got a call from a doctor, then call a abortion helpline, or received an email from the hospital, then visited a HIV advice website shortly afterwards.
Yes, I think that's a good example .. it's also interesting to think what you leak by having your phone location switched on, using supermarket loyalty cards etc. I think the EFF view is that everyone's personal data is so precious that nobody should do any of these things, whereas I tend to the view that my life probably isn't interesting enough that people would be bothered to triangulate all these things. (Or I hope not anyway)
I really enjoyed this essay; thank you. I'd never considered before how one can infer so much from the existence and form of communications entirely regardless of their contents.
I liked the link to professional communication, something I am trying to get my head around at the moment. It makes me think, perhaps mistakenly, of Cal Newport’s critiques of email and Slack where the abundance of communication can undermine workflow.
Also, the Cardinal’s influence network reminds me of Franco Moretti’s network-theory plot analysis of Hamlet. Do you know whether this leverages linear algebra in a similar way or are there significant differences between network- and information-theory approaches?
Glad you found it interesting. In terms of the Moretti thing, looking at this paper here https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii68/articles/franco-moretti-network-theory-plot-analysis it seems as if you could probably do something more sophisticated with his network. In particular he just draws an edge if there's a connection, whereas I suspect you could do better with weighted edges (e.g. counting the number of times there is an interaction). But it's certainly in the same area I think
This is fascinating Oliver.
Thanks, glad you liked it!
The notion of ideas crops up, as you say. Has me ruminating on the value of tacit and explicit ideas, hierarchical order and its limitations when instrumentalising knowledge in human societies (err... organisations?), or perhaps more fundamentally in the human brain. Attempting 'resolution' via a dialectic procedure does not always turn up a good idea?
There is a story of Picasso having visited the Lascaux Caves declaring that 'we have learned nothing' [in the time since].
That's a nice quote from Picasso, I'd not heard that one!
And accurate, I think. Artists have invented other media and techniques since but on their own terms Paleolithic cave paintings include some of the greatest works of art.