回歸資訊本身

Back to Information Itself

本文的目的在重新解讀資訊社會。我們建議討論資訊社會這個議題，必須回歸資訊本身，而資訊就是中介與溝通。在現代資訊社會的研究中，我們的研究對象是數位資訊，以及以數位資訊為中介和通訊的各種社會效應。本文的研究起點立基於：在社會的並行分化與更替分化過程中，以數位資訊為核心的IT與ICTs具有相對自主性；亦即，數位資訊的應用與發展自有其內在規則，其他場域的邏輯無法直接解釋甚至干預。就這一點而言，我們強調數位資訊與社會形構的斷裂意涵。然而，這並不意謂著數位資訊具有能夠支配其他場域的能力，更不意謂著其他場域的邏輯已經失效，或必須通過數位資訊的場域邏輯才能夠發揮。對於數位資訊而言，其他場域也具有相對自主性。諸場域之間是相互制約、相互限制的，必須透過折射或轉化才能相互作用、相互影響。只是在數位資訊場域相對獨立下，諸場域之間的互動變數更多、問題更複雜。就這個面向而言，本文毋寧是傾向採納「資訊社會延續過往社會」的觀點。通過與Webster的對話，我們澄清若干不恰當的理解：連續與斷裂，質與量的虛假二律背反。

The purpose of this study is to re-decipher the information society. I suggest, based on the conclusion of this paper that the issue about the information society should revert to information itself, namely, mediation and communication. Different from other research about contemporary information society, my research simply focus on digital information and its effects while used as means of mediation and communication. This study is on the basis of the following hypothesis: in the process of social Differenzierung im Nebeneinander and Differenzierung im Nacheinander, IT and ICTs, which are centered on digital information have relative autonomy. In brief, the application and development of digital information has its own logic. The logic which fits other fields cannot interpret or intervene in the field of digital information directly. In the light of this point, I particularly emphasize the discontinuity between digital information and social formation. However, this does not mean that digital information is capable of dominating other fields, nor does this indicate that the logic of other fields is invalid or valid only through the logic of digital information. Analogous to digital information, other fields are comparatively independent of one another. Specifically, fields can work mutually only through refracting and transforming; otherwise, fields are restricted and limited to each other. Yet, the more independent the digital information is, the more complicated the interactive variables of fields will be. I believe that there is continuity between earlier societies and information society. After having a conversation with Webster, I am going to clarify several misunderstandings: the antinomy between continuity and discontinuity, quality and quantity.