Magical numbers and information

Abstract

When a person receives signals carrying information, they unconsciously group them into portions, or quanta. Therefore, the person believes that this signal grouping is a property of the signals themselves, and not a result of his participation. To perceive and interpret these signals, a person should possess certain knowledge, otherwise the received signals will be perceived as noise. Information is compared with the magic numbers developed by humanity as a result of long-term observation of social practices and incorporated into all peoples’ cultures. As a result, information is confirmed to be a property of living systems only.