Exploring a Theory Describing the Physics of Information Systems, Characterizing the Phenomena of Complex Information Systems

摘要

This project accomplished all of its objectives: document a theory of information physics, conduct a workshop on planing experiments to test this theory, and design experiments that validate this theory. Information physics proposes quantitative relationships between observable information flows and changes in the content information systems maintain. This theory explains all flows within information systems as either diffusive or force-driven. The forces driving information flows arise from the existence of goal content. The workshop participants discussed various theories and considered experiments that characterize the macroscopic phenomena underlying complex information system behavior. These participants identified experimental opportunities that exploit existing databases, execute simulations and conduct traditional controlled experiments. They recommended that focused experiments to test theories explaining information system phenomena were feasible today. The experiment plan builds upon the workshop's result and proposes experiments that measure information device energy dissipation, test the independence of symbol execution work from device efficiency, measure information diffusion rates in information systems, and measure force-driven information flows. These experiments are both technically and programmatically feasible. When validated, the proposed theory can guide designers to reliably build more effective, secure and predictable information systems.