Information and the Regulation of a Lower Hierarchical Level by a Higher One

Stanley N Salthe

doi:10.3390/info3040595

Abstract

In this paper I consider the usefulness of the compositional hierarchy model in understanding the information flows involved in group behaviors in animals. I propose that short-term memory can function to transduce information across scale, thereby connecting different modes of information and mediating coherent group motions. This transduction I propose to be mediated by the “sign” as understood in Peircean semiotics, generating the meaning of the information for the social animal.

Highlights

In this paper I will be using the term ‘information’ to refer to the actual configurations of informational constraints characterizing, or being imposed upon, a system
But very clear, physical example, the constants in an equation function as informational constraints upon the dynamics modeled by the equation, while their values are the relevant information
Information impinging a system from outside would acquire meaning for a system only when it is interpreted by that system as a response, which can be modeled in semiotics discourse, as outlined below in this paper

Summary

Introduction

In this paper I will be using the term ‘information’ to refer to the actual configurations of informational constraints characterizing, or being imposed upon, a system. We show that the mean-field model fits the large scale behaviour of the system, but does not capture fine scale rules of interaction, which are primarily mediated by physical contact. The Markovian self-propelled particle model captures the fine scale rules of interaction but fails to reproduce global dynamics.

Results

Conclusion