In the Beginning was Information

Theorem 11: A code system is always the result of a mentalprocess (see footnote 14) (it requires an intelligent origin orinventor).The expression “rejoice” appears in different languages and codingsystems in Figure 13. This leads to another important empiricaltheorem:Theorem 12: Any given piece of information can be representedby any selected code.Comment: Theorem 12 does not state that a complete translation isalways possible. It is an art to suitably translate and expressmetaphors, twists of logic, ambiguities and special figurative stylesinto the required language.It is possible to formulate fundamental principles of informationeven at the relatively low level of codes by means of the above theorems.If for example one finds a code underlying any given system,then one can conclude that that system had a mental origin. Inthe case of the hieroglyphics nobody suggested that they werecaused by a purely physical process like random mechanicaleffects, wind, or erosion; Theorem 11 is thus validated.The following is a brief list of some properties common to all codingsystems:– A code is a necessary prerequisite for establishing and storinginformation.– Every choice of code must be well thought out beforehand inthe conceptual stage.– Devising a code is a creative mental process.– Matter can be a carrier of codes, but it cannot generate anycodes.B) The Actual SyntaxDefinition 4: The actual syntax describes the construction of sentencesand phrases, as well as the structural media required for67