Infosense: Turning Information Into Knowledge

by Keith Devlin

Information has been called everything from the new gold standard to the fundamental building block of the universe. No matter where we live or what we do for a living, it is ever present in our lives, and many of us are barraged with it daily. Yet few of us know how to distinguish information from mere data, worthwhile communication, or real knowledge—in short, few of us know how to make sense of it.

In InfoSense , noted mathematician Keith Devlin shows how to make sense of the constant flow of information that swirls past us daily. What is crucial, Devlin points out, is to understand the differences between data, information, and knowledge. By exploring the nature of each, and describing what distinguishes them from one another, he shows how businesses and individuals alike can benefit from better information management. Using clear, non-technical language, simple diagrams, and many real-life examples, Devlin explains

• Why people can beat computers
• How culture influences work
• The hidden rules of conversation
• How to conduct a successful meeting

As information becomes the single most valuable asset in many industries, the key to success lies in our ability to manage that information. With InfoSense , Keith Devlin offers an easy and accessible way to learn not only how to manage it but also how to use it to live and work successfully in the Knowledge Age.

Genres: Management

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Dr. Keith Devlin is a co-founder and Executive Director of the university's H-STAR institute, a Consulting Professor in the Department of Mathematics, a co-founder of the Stanford Media X research network, and a Senior Researcher at CSLI. He is a World Economic Forum Fellow and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His current research is focused on the use of different media to teach and communicate mathematics to diverse audiences. He also works on the design of information/reasoning systems for intelligence analysis. Other research interests include: theory of information, models of reasoning, applications of mathematical techniques in the study of communication, and mathematical cognition. He has written 26 books and over 80 published research articles. Recipient of the Pythagoras Prize, the Peano Prize, the Carl Sagan Award, and the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communications Award. He is "the Math Guy" on National Public Radio.

Reviews

[Dedrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book to come up with some insights for managing website content. This has provided me with several insights that I plan to use.

[Taye Tadesse]

excellent