An Economy of Information Structures – Part 1

(First in a 10 part series. Reprint of all 10 parts by request. )

Contents include:

1. Intro
2. Growth
3. The Free Market
4. The Power of Useful Information
5. Structures of Information
6. Systems
7. Power
8. Models and Metaphors – Catching Reality
9. Meaning and Morality – Politics and Power at the Local Level
10. An Economy of Information Structures – EIS

Part 1 – Intro

The 2008 financial crisis revealed an economic system that had serious flaws, causing many people to ask whether economics or the financial system need to be restructured. Was it a political problem, an economic problem, or was it systemic? Histories of financial boom and bust in many parts of the world suggest that there may be something in human nature or possibly in our economics that draw us into this cycle over and over again.

Admittedly it is difficult to change human nature but we can change the framework within which we live and think and work. This framework finds and creates information that becomes part of a belief system. Much of the restructuring can and should be at the local level with the intent of gathering Useful Information (UI). Using a broader definition of “information”, we must include not just data but input from any of the senses.

Finding and moving UI will be key in many challenges we face, especially when the environment is changing rapidly. Government creates another major, yet subtle framework within which we live and work. Even so, governments can still only supply part of our security. During long periods of stability leaders need the advice of historians and experts who know what worked in the past. During times of rapid change however, it becomes necessary to find additional new information and ideas – ideas that might come from anywhere.

In this paper we look at concepts of information flow, power, and leverage, plus information filters, structures, gradients, systems, a bit of psychology and religion.   Then we look at the four M’s of models and metaphors, meaning and morality. What is morality? What is the importance of competition? Finally we discuss what Herb Simon called the “Sciences of the Artificial” in an effort to find what other tools might be used to maximize security and create a longer lasting change.

Some words and concepts used here are defined explicitly. The reader may not agree entirely with the definition but it’s a useful starting point for discussion. A few lower case words are capitalized here to emphasize their importance. Some examples are given to clarify the concepts but readers are encouraged to consider examples from their own area of work and study.