Types of Informationalism

It is all well to do that the philosophy of Informationalism places the pursuit of, specifically, species-useful information above all. However, we do not live in a world that is in concordance with Informationalism. It is also not practical to assume that Informationalism will magically enter the minds of the populace and that the whole world will be changed forever and indefinitely. Where does this leave us?

First of all, it must be admitted that it is very difficult to change a traditional system. By this I mean a society of established social structures, values, and mores, which for the time are not causing immediate recognizable harm to a majority or violent minority of the populace. There is a threshold which must be reached.

A traditional system can only be changed if it has been shown that it works so ineffectively, that continuing to cling to this system will result in the destruction of the individual. I will deal here primarily with American society.

It is not yet obvious to the majority of the population that not valuing the pursuit of species-useful information will be ultimately detrimental to themselves and their posterity. In fact, the Christian faith professes that the world is going to end, and that this is the best thing that can happen for mankind. This kind of ideology is in direct conflict with Informationalism's normative judgment that it is better to work towards the survival of the species.

So what do Informationalists do about the majority of the population that either does not care about the destruction of the species, actually desires it, or does not see that this is likely to happen with the current system of social mores? It is here that I introduce the first type, or stage of Informationalism.

1. Discourse Informationalism

This is the earliest stage of Informationalism. The basic idea is to make society aware of the ideas behind Informationalism and to gather individuals who are early on willing to accept that the acquisition and free distribution of species-useful Information is the only way to ensure our survival.

The basic idea is to win over followers through argument. Individuals cannot be forced to choose Informationalism as their only perspective. Simply making Informationalism known and creating an environment where free discourse can be practiced is acting within the philosophy of Informationalism. It is my normative judgment that if we can create this environment of free discourse that Informationalism must win in the end. Informationalists hold the pursuit and free distribution of knowledge above all else; thus we can demonstrate our arguments in ways which dogmatic authors are hopelessly unable to replicate.

2. Revolutionary Informationalism

This stage will come ostensibly when the majority or a power wielding minority have accepted the perspective of Informationalism. Plans might in my opinion be made to accomplish the following:

1. Consolidation of all students under a national school system. The school system should have greater division of specialization at the culmination of the modern high school junior and senior years. The schools should be primarily run by a regional body that composes the national education body. Exceptions should be made for categorically exceptional students to receive further and more in depth education based on abnormal ability. The school system is to place equal emphasis on both the arts and sciences, so that students will graduate with a basic knowledge of the foundation and current theory of all modern arts and sciences. The college system is to remain private; however, a system of national colleges should be established to ensure all willing students an entry into higher education.

2. Greater funding directed toward the sciences, especially education along with research and development.

3. Funding to expand the current network speed and expanse of the national network of computers.

4. Automation of basic industry to be kept up and modified by a workforce of engineers.

5. A gradual narrowing and reduction of the duration of patents.

6. Funding towards the space program; especially the building of new and better space stations, crafts, systems of propulsion, colonization, manned and unmanned missions.

7. Implementation of mass transportation capable programs such as magnetic trains and light rail.

8. Establishment of a system of Universal Health Insurance, with greater focus on R & D in the medical field.

9. Move toward the declassification of government documents to be made available to the public.

10. A system of technological goals and mechanisms to achieve those goals at or by a certain deadline to be evaluated annually.

It should be noted that there is no clear boundary between discourse informationalism and revolutionary informationalism. Informationalists still actively seek to promote technologies and activities that further the acquisition and development of information.

11. The establishment and promotion of Informationalist groups outside of the nation.
    

Traditional Informationalism

This is the point when the vast majority of a society be it global or national, has decided to accept the perspective of Informationalism. The eleven points mentioned in revolutionary informationalism have been achieved nearly completely. From this point onward new goals must be established and perhaps new philosophies created for where the old has been found lacking. I am not claiming Informationalism is the eternal answer to everything. It is merely a different method to ensure that we are still here to keep solving problems.

** This is my aim for Informationalism and need not be mimicked exactly by all individuals. Again, the key here is diversity. But it is diversity within a frame that respects diversity as an advantage and not an obstacle to overcome. The diversity that views other diversity with hostility and does not seek to learn from it is not diverse; it is a self destructive philosophy.

As long as it can be agreed that the pursuit of species-useful information, the betterment of the individual and the species, and the free distribution of information are the key foundations then progress should be unavoidable. Once Informationalism has been established, those who would say they do not desire Informationalism will ultimately destroy themselves in the prejudice, or will be driven to hostile extremes by their lack of understanding from which they cannot recover.