Information? Inform-ation.

Since I walked into the area of Library and Information Science, I've been asked "what is Information" too many times.

Actually, i've been tired of this question, cuz I really hate to define anything. Even it has lots of definitions, I still want to tell you "don't forget things are fluid in essence".

We've always been taught or thought the concept from the angle of LIS(our domain) or Computer/ Information Science. Sometimes we even had to compare the differences between each of them. I have to admit that I feel more comfortable to think things in LIS's way (but I'm living in an environment which depends on Computer Science heavily). However, I still get lost in this abstract concept.

Thus I leave those familiar definitions built by great mentors in Information Science. My way to reach the concept is by Etymology. Maybe it's not smart, but I still give it a try.

First, divide "information" into "inform" and "ation". Comparing to "ation", "inform" is used more often. In this case, the mission is to find out what "ation" means.

Based on the dictionary of online Encyclopedia Britannica, it writes:
-ation
Function: noun suffix
Etymology: Latin -ation-, -atio, from -a-, stem vowel of 1st conjunction + -tion-, -tio, noun suffix
: action or process
: something connected with an action or process

And another online dictionary explains:
-ation
A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the verbal substantive in -ing. It sometimes has the further meanings of state, and that which results from the action.

Put inform & ation together, we can say that information is a state about an action to tell the object something. Let us just forget about the academic definitions, the concept of information is easier to discuss and understand by this way, isn't it?

But I've never thought in this way and always been haunted by "what the hell is the concept of information!!!?" every time before exams.

It seems to be far from the Information/Computer Science academy, but they're close somehow. Regardless of providing useful message to the audience or using the 0/1 technology to communication, it can be seen as an informing action in progress.

Obviously, that's my preference to information behaviors:P In this view, the concept of information makes sense. It drives me to think about our contributions and professionalism, that is, we have the duty to make the progress better. That should be "behaviors/person-orientation". I do not deny the importance of technology, just try to focus on the "soft" aspect.

And I believe that is my niche to go forth, though i don't have the astonished ability to handle the computational machine.