Consciousness' Drive: Information Need and the Search for Meaning

The uniquely human factor in finding and using information to produce new knowledge is explored in this book, which argues that our consciousness drives us to seek information and construct new knowledge. It is divided into three parts, each with an introduction and conclusion that relate the theories and models to the real-world experience of someone using a search engine. Part I defines the exceptionality of human consciousness, Part II investigates the problem of finding real information needs, and Part III details the solution to this framing problem and its operational implications for search engine design.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 247 pages
\n Publication date: 04 October 2018
\n Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG
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The quest for knowledge is a fundamental aspect of human nature, driven by a unique combination of factors that set us apart from other species. While artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in recent years, there remains an underlying aspect of our thinking that cannot be fully replicated by machines. This book delves into the uniquely human factor in finding and using information to produce new knowledge, exploring the conscious drive and intention behind our search for information in the world around us.

The book is organized into three parts, each with an introduction and a conclusion that connect the theories and models presented to the real-world experience of someone using a search engine. In the first part, the exceptionality of human consciousness is defined, highlighting its need for new information and the unique way in which we frame our interactions with the world. The second part investigates the challenge of finding our real information need during information searches, exploring how our exceptional ability to frame our interactions with the world can sometimes block us from obtaining the information we truly require. Finally, the third part details the solution to this framing problem and its operational implications for search engine design, with a focus on everyone whose objective is the production of new knowledge.

Charles Cole deliberately writes in a conversational style, making the book accessible to a broader readership while minimizing references to research material. He employs a narrative structure reminiscent of a detective novel, building his arguments toward a climax at the end of the book. To enhance the reader's understanding, over 90 original diagrams are visualized to illustrate the ideas presented in the book. Furthermore, Cole establishes a link between information need and knowledge production in evolutionary psychology, grounding his arguments in our origins as a species.

In conclusion, this book offers valuable insights into the uniquely human factor information-seeking process, exploring the conscious drive and intention behind our search for knowledge in the world around us. While AI has made significant advancements, there remains an underlying aspect of our thinking that cannot be fully replicated by machines. By understanding the human factor in information seeking and knowledge production, we can design search engines and other tools that are more effective in supporting our intellectual endeavors and advancing our understanding of the world.

\n Weight: 544g\n
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9783319924557\n
Edition number: 1st ed. 2018\n