**2. Information as the basic unit of cyberspace**

Information that is stored in cyberspace can be seen as its basic building block. Information, or more precisely communication of information, builds up the very cyberspace, and without this building block, cyberspace would remain just a possible construction (*in potentia*). Cyberspace thus presents a platform for communication of information, rather than an independent entity.

What precisely is information that we communicate in cyberspace? We can see it as a correlation of two entities: physical and conceptual. By physical entity we can mean, for example, computer hardware or radio waves. Information, regardless of physical media that is used to spread it, is coded in a binary code or "binary digit" (0 and 1). New communication technologies that are based

on a binary number system are therefore known as digital media. Meanings are programmed and stored in computers as data, which can in semiotic transcription represent text, sound, images, and so on. Correlation of the physical and nonphysical world is well known in linguistics and semiotics. For example, human speech is a correlate of sounds (phonemes) and meanings. Correlation of the material and nonmaterial world is well known, for example, in linguistics or semiotics. For example, human speech is a correlate of sounds (phonemes) and meanings. Human articulated sounds, if performed in the correct order, can be decoded, and their meanings can be understood. Also handwriting is a correlate of signs and meanings. If symbols are written syntactically and grammatically correctly, then they can be decoded, which means they can also be understood. The difference between human language and "talking" through cyberspace lies in the fact that material correlate of information is constructed using modern technologies. Information coding, in contrast to speech and writing, is not performed directly and immediately, but through modern technologies in the form of binary code. This "information" cannot be approached semiotically and, as such, lies outside the human natural comprehension—this information we call simply "data." Information that people work with has already been processed by computers and therefore is regarded as proper information. Ontologically, we need to distinguish data and information. Data is composed of binary values, with a given functional structure, while when processed by computer system, it is turned into information. For instance, data that represents a rose become information about the very rose when this data is transposed into the human semiotic system. The image of rose will then be matched to certain ideas, desires, and so on. Thus, information is always richer than simple data that is formed by logical and functional algorithms.

Růžička [6] and Cejpek [7] distinguish data and information similarly. They mention one more important difference between information types. Růžička [6] explains: "One can speak of data when the world is measured, weighed, counted…." For him, the structure of facts is less formal than that of data: "Facts are less formalized than data, but they can still be deprived of context. …Data is the result of a mathematical formula. …In my opinion, factum is a testimony, a description of the world that, in a given scope, is problem-free and undisputable." He talks about quality of information: "…neither data nor facts is identical with information. The quality of information will reveal when a dialogue comes in which the world in question is challenged, or: when facts talk, questions are needed…."

Similarly, Cejpek [7] distinguishes between information and knowledge, when he says: "…in a more detailed view of given information, we need to distinguish between information and knowledge." Or, as he continues: "Information as such does not mean recognition, but constitutes certain pre-requisite and basis." He bases his idea on Patočka, philosopher [7], who claimed that "the term of information cannot explain understanding and knowledge…."

When compared, we can place Růžička's facts to Cejpek's information and Růžička's information quality to Cejpek's knowledge **Table 1**.


**17**

*Cyberspace as a New Existential Dimension of Man DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88156*

information but also knowledge or knowledge-based society.

**3. Cyberspace as a new existential dimension of man**

communicate, thus becomes a new existential dimension of man.

constructed technologically.

integrated part of the human body.

The first contact with information that comes from a data source may appear to be isolated and simple or even measurable. Both authors emphasize that we can only count data blocks, not information blocks. Essentially, even information seen for the first time is not isolated or unbreakable, as we use semiotic rules, based on a system of relations, to understand it. However, both of these authors agree that deeper assessment brings higher information quality or knowledge that affects us, since it widens and re-configures the horizon of our knowledge. Such deeper understanding then brings serious consequences not only into the way we understand given

Information is a basic, ontological unit in cyberspace and can be also seen through the lens of classical metaphysics. Similarly to Aristotle's metaphysics, also information is made of its matter (material correlate) and form (idea correlate). It

If a significant part of our life, for example, our visions and ideas, is reflected in cyberspace, then we can say it becomes a new extension of our life. If we daily spend a few hours in cyberspace, then the bond with our life will be very strong. Lohisse [8], points out that media (including cyberspace, as a communication channel for modern digital media—note by authors) are not mere tools that do their job only when we use them, but they expand and their effect grows. More specifically, this influence can be seen in the adaptation of our cognitive functions and abilities (attention, memory, imagination, thinking, etc.) to cyberspace communication. And this adaptation changes our existence. Our existence extends to a new dimension that is virtual in nature. The virtual dimension, or the cyberspace in which we

The very first thing that will attract our attention when we study the phenomenon of cyberspace is its character. Paradoxically, we can describe cyberspace as a non-space place, as there is no 3D physical dimension in it. Despite this feature, we still regard it as a space, even though we mean it predominantly in a visual or audiovisual sense. Thus, this new technological space lies within a human, in the very mental dimension we use for constructing vision or ideas. The difference is in the fact that human's mental space is given biologically, while cyberspace is

The second thing that may attract our attention in communication in cyberspace is the speed of communication. Communication is almost instant, typically with no delay. Besides this, there are no firm physical marks that could be used for distinguishing movement, which is something we need when we want to measure time. Immersed in cyberspace, we are not able to measure time. In order to do it, we need to step outside. Events in cyberspace resemble a dream in which we cannot say time. Cyberspace and dreams both share two features—no fixed points that could be used for measuring and no perspective for the observer. When we dream, we first need to wake up, only then we can measure the time spent. With new technology, for example, Google Glass or electronic lenses, leaving cyberspace would not be so easy because Google Glass, or let alone electronic lenses, would be quite an

The speed of communication and absence of physical space in cyberspace eliminated linear or successive time. We could also call it simultaneous time, borrowing the term from a simultaneous exhibition in which the grand master plays multiple games of chess at a time with a number of players. The idea of linear or gradual time

has its potency as data and validity as information or information quality.

**Table 1.**

*Comparison between two similar semantic approaches to structure of information.*

*Cyberspace*

logical and functional algorithms.

on a binary number system are therefore known as digital media. Meanings are programmed and stored in computers as data, which can in semiotic transcription represent text, sound, images, and so on. Correlation of the physical and nonphysical world is well known in linguistics and semiotics. For example, human speech is a correlate of sounds (phonemes) and meanings. Correlation of the material and nonmaterial world is well known, for example, in linguistics or semiotics. For example, human speech is a correlate of sounds (phonemes) and meanings. Human articulated sounds, if performed in the correct order, can be decoded, and their meanings can be understood. Also handwriting is a correlate of signs and meanings. If symbols are written syntactically and grammatically correctly, then they can be decoded, which means they can also be understood. The difference between human language and "talking" through cyberspace lies in the fact that material correlate of information is constructed using modern technologies. Information coding, in contrast to speech and writing, is not performed directly and immediately, but through modern technologies in the form of binary code. This "information" cannot be approached semiotically and, as such, lies outside the human natural comprehension—this information we call simply "data." Information that people work with has already been processed by computers and therefore is regarded as proper information. Ontologically, we need to distinguish data and information. Data is composed of binary values, with a given functional structure, while when processed by computer system, it is turned into information. For instance, data that represents a rose become information about the very rose when this data is transposed into the human semiotic system. The image of rose will then be matched to certain ideas, desires, and so on. Thus, information is always richer than simple data that is formed by

Růžička [6] and Cejpek [7] distinguish data and information similarly. They mention one more important difference between information types. Růžička [6] explains: "One can speak of data when the world is measured, weighed, counted…."

Similarly, Cejpek [7] distinguishes between information and knowledge, when he says: "…in a more detailed view of given information, we need to distinguish between information and knowledge." Or, as he continues: "Information as such does not mean recognition, but constitutes certain pre-requisite and basis." He bases his idea on Patočka, philosopher [7], who claimed that "the term of information

When compared, we can place Růžička's facts to Cejpek's information and

Cejpek Data Information Knowledge

Růžička Data Fact Information quality

**Information type 2 isolated information** **Information type 3 information in context**

For him, the structure of facts is less formal than that of data: "Facts are less formalized than data, but they can still be deprived of context. …Data is the result of a mathematical formula. …In my opinion, factum is a testimony, a description of the world that, in a given scope, is problem-free and undisputable." He talks about quality of information: "…neither data nor facts is identical with information. The quality of information will reveal when a dialogue comes in which the world in

question is challenged, or: when facts talk, questions are needed…."

cannot explain understanding and knowledge…."

**Name Information type 1 outside of semiotic system**

Růžička's information quality to Cejpek's knowledge **Table 1**.

*Comparison between two similar semantic approaches to structure of information.*

**16**

**Table 1.**

The first contact with information that comes from a data source may appear to be isolated and simple or even measurable. Both authors emphasize that we can only count data blocks, not information blocks. Essentially, even information seen for the first time is not isolated or unbreakable, as we use semiotic rules, based on a system of relations, to understand it. However, both of these authors agree that deeper assessment brings higher information quality or knowledge that affects us, since it widens and re-configures the horizon of our knowledge. Such deeper understanding then brings serious consequences not only into the way we understand given information but also knowledge or knowledge-based society.

Information is a basic, ontological unit in cyberspace and can be also seen through the lens of classical metaphysics. Similarly to Aristotle's metaphysics, also information is made of its matter (material correlate) and form (idea correlate). It has its potency as data and validity as information or information quality.
