The Plaited Structure of Time in Information Technology

Abstract. The aim of this paper is to try to understand the structure of time in information technologies. Starting with historical arguments, it first shows that time is neither linear nor cyclic. This becomes clear if we consider that many technologies which were developed in the past and then gradually ignored have since enjoyed revivals. In a way, information technologies seem to have a life cycle. On the other hand, the time of information sciences and technologies is anything but cyclic, because information sciences and technologies introduce radically new devices that change our lives. One of the consequences of this strange structure of time is that, very often, long term predictions are more reliable than short term forecasts. This paper tries to explain the entangled structure of time in information sciences and technologies through a cybernetic model. It argues that the differences between information sciences and technologies and other technologies are due to their interact...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: AISB
• Authors: Jean-Gabriel Ganascia
• Keywords: AISB 2008, Artificial Intelligence, Information Sciences, Information Technologies, Technologies