In The Mathematical Theory of Communication, Warren Weaver and Claude Shannon (whom Autonomy helped make famous) highlight 3 levels of communication problems:
Level A: The technical problem.How accurately can the symbols of communication be transmitted?
Level B: The semantic problem. How precisely do the transmitted symbols convey the desired meaning?
Level C: The effectiveness problem. How effectively does the received meaning affect conduct in the desired way?
They map neatly on to three semiotic distinctions of Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics.
A. Syntax = Grammar and the forms of language
B. Semantics= Syntax + “Meaning”
C. Pragmatics = Semantics + Context
We’ve got the TCP/IP, the internet/Web (level A). We’re getting the Semantic Web (level B). And I want the Pragmatic Web (level C).
Because that’s where the problem of effectiveness starts getting addressed.
[UPDATE: I want, never gets …]
Wow, context. So your browser comes an accessory to your brain, continuously context seeking. Everything in context.
The Pragmatic Web – Part Deux
Last October, I wrote a short plea for the Pragmatic Web and ended it with a slightly sulky “I want never gets”. I thought it was a little far fetched, given how much (and how unproven) there is yet to…
recent post at:
http://atownley.org/2006/04/information-oriented-architecture-ioa/
on the notion of “Information Oriented Architecture”
and at
http://www.secondschool.net/beads/communityCentric/home.htm
on a “Community Centric Service Methodology” (as a refinement of a draft OASIS specification on Business Centric Methodology)
http://www.businesscentricmethodology.com
are relevant to your work – as posted at:
http://growingpains.blogs.com/home/2005/08/patterns_for_th.html
If you have time to post a communication to me, we would like to start a collaboration with you and those who think like you do.