Metapattern > information exchange engineering > focusing on semantic variety
Attempts to establish an integral information model based on uniform concepts, when the world-out-there must be characterized by conceptual pluriformity, can only fail. […] A viable approach to conceptual information modeling, therefore, must start with the recognition of differences as they really exist. […] Metapattern starts from the premise of recognizing differences; this is its first principle.
in: The pattern of metapattern: ontological formalization of context and time for open interconnection
A semiotics of identity management provides the enlarged framework required for the requisite variety.
in: Semiotics of identity management
One meaning doesn’t fit all, on the contrary. Rather, it should be recognized that relevant interpretational differences represent, even supply, new opportunities.
[T]here is more, much more, to take into account for identity management than virtual access control to digitally coded information resources.
in: Semiotics of identity management
With the need for integrating growing diversity, uniform concepts no longer hold sufficient variety. By super-imposing the concept of context, and especially by doing so combined with the concept of time, earlier uniform concepts are given enough room to shift their meanings to pluriform usage.
in: The pattern of metapattern: ontological formalization of context and time for open interconnection
It is especially when account must be taken of essential differences that Metapattern supports necessary and sufficient elaboration while maintaining cohesion.
in: Metapattern for converging knowledge management with artificial intelligence
Especially advantageous is that various perspectives are all treated in a single model, and comprehensively so, enabling controlled optimization for shifting from one perspective to another. An operational information system genuinely exhibiting such multiple perspectivism is not simply an artifact for the so-called semantic web. Rather, it exemplifies the pragmatic web of stakeholders.
[I]t has become difficult, if not impossible, to recognize that society at large is not hierarchically organized as far as meanings go. In other words, there doesn’t simply exist a mechanism to enforce semantic standards. Instead, variety rules.
in: Do you run an ERP software company?
The contextual turn of Metapattern may look deceptively simple; however, its implications are far-reaching. Unambiguous control of structural information variety can now be indefinitely extended.
in: On metapattern and other themes in information management
If we could help building critical mass for the, say, scale-less brand of semantics, it's by definition … generally relevant.
in: note 47.5
The dia-enneadic model grounds Metapattern, which is a method for information modeling regardless of scope. In other words, Metapattern allows for semantic variety. Thus, information exchange can be facilitated, even promoted, in the pluriform, multicultural, or whatever society.
in: note 47.19
We certainly agree on the critical importance for an open society of context and time for disambiguating — loosely put — information content, or meaning.
in: note 53.1
Information is always … form. It is an object form-ed to take
‘in’ something of a different order — which
‘makes’ it a sign(ature) — to facilitate subjective
interaction: intersubjective behaviour.
As part of sign production, a signature is staged: context. More
information, related …
Context is lightly forgotten in both theory and practice. A possible
explanation is that staging may pertain to less durable objects.
Another is that their perception lies outside of focus, which
‘means’ that they are less noticed in the first place; no,
overlooking context is out of the question. Yet, an unambiguous
boundary is impossible to draw for context. Then, the pseudo-control of
concentrating on signatures is favoured.
Limiting storage to signatures, thus eliminating contexts, promotes
ambiguity.
Whatever use of information constitutes yet another interaction, from
which additional signs may, and usually will, originate.
As a sign (also read: information), in practice an object is not
exclusively ‘about’ itself. In fact, it usually is hardly
about itself, if at all.
Depending on the (in)formal rights at stake, whatever use(s) are
considered, et cetera, information should be added: metainformation.
De-sign-nating information as metainformation aims at halting
regression at the earliest possible moment (privileging its
‘author’). Otherwise, metametainformation should be
included, and so on …
What is generally spoken of as metainformation may serve the purpose
of context and/or to facilitate managing (more) original
information.
in: note 53.6
What starts by recognising a need for metainformation should not
lead to separate information. It ‘simply’ all is
information, including information on relations for particular
purposes. It is easy to fall into the trap of making separate
provisions when, say, physical modes of information are still
different. With original signs ‘on’ paper, metainformation
is now provided for on a digital basis.
With original information increasingly, in fact, on a massive scale,
in digital ‘form,’ this division is no longer forced upon
the practice of archiving/information management. It is high time to
adjust theory.
If the semiotic ennead already gives a better idea of the nature of
interpretation, it confirms that context should not remain an
afterthought for archiving. Instead, an integral approach is required.
Metapattern is a language/method for such integral modelling.
in: note 53.6
I am convinced that ‘we’ need contextualism for real-life variety. It follows that contextualism should also, even especially so, be incorporated from the ‘ground’ up in the information systems that we help design, develop, and so on. So, let’s push it.
in: note 53.16
Metapattern[’s] semiotic foundation […] is critical to appreciating and then unambiguously modeling variety.
in: note 71.2