Messages, Meanings and Symbols: The Communication of Information

by Charles T. Meadow

Overview

A deep and penetrating exploration of the key concepts of information and communications sciences by one of its founders, this book covers everything in its subject that you want to know more about including the bedrock topics of signs, symbols, information, and communication, all considered from an historical and foundational perspective that is satisfying to the beginning student and worthwhile for practitioners of long standing. All the major players are given their role, from Shannon and Weaver to Tim Berners-Lee, with Marshall McLuhan an engaging participant.

Communication in all its forms—be it print or electronic media, mass communication as well as person-to-person messaging, whether by mail, telephone, gesture, or email—is thoroughly examined in this book, which can serve as either an introductory text to undergraduates in information science, an interesting read for the layman, or as a refresher for the communications professional.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810852716
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/03/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.08(w) x 9.12(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

Charles T. Meadow is Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto where he previously served as associate dean. He is the author of Ink Into Bits: A Web of Converging Media (1998) and Making Connections: Communications Through the Ages (2002), both published by Scarecrow.

Table of Contents

Part 1 List of Figures Part 2 Preface Part 3 1. History of Communication: Cave Drawing to Typewriters Chapter 4 The Very Beginning; Writing; What to Write On; The Alphabet and Numbers; Printing; The Typewriter Part 5 2. History of Communication: Sound, Light, and Transportation Chapter 6 Sound Transmission; Light; Mail; Animals, Boats, and Ships; Iron Horses and Horseless Carriages; Flying Machines Part 7 3. History of Communication: Photography and Electricity Chapter 8 Photography; The Telegraph; The Telephone Part 9 4. History of Communication: Electronics Chapter 10 Radio; Television; Transistors and Integrated Circuits; Computers and the Internet; Communication Satellites; Wireless Telephone Part 11 5. What Is Information? What Is Communication? Chapter 12 Why It Matters; Information; Messages and Signals; Media; Transmission; Communication; Noise Part 13 6. Different Views of Information Chapter 14 Information and Data; Attributes of Information; Content and Context; Knowledge and the Knowledge Base; Information Overload; Learning; News and Intelligence; Disinformation; Truth; Propaganda and Misinformation; Entertainment as Information Part 15 7. Messages Chapter 16 A Message as a Representation of a Thought; How to Represent a Thought; Messages Come through Our Senses; The Medium and the Message Part 17 8. Signs and Symbols Chapter 18 The Idea of a Symbol; Examples; Combining Basic Symbols into Words and Numbers; Combining Word Symbols—Grammar; The Value of Ambiguity Part 19 9. Media and Transmission Chapter 20 Types of Media; Transmission Systems; Media, Hot and Cold; Noise Part 21 10. Communicating Meaning and Understanding Chapter 22 Meaning; Understanding; Coming to Understanding; Understanding and the Knowledge Base; Brain Disorders; Communicating across Cultures Part 23 11. Communication: The Full Monty Chapter 24 Composition; Technical Considerations; Semantics; Effectiveness; Some Real-Life Examples Part 25 12. Communication Systems of Today and Tomorrow Chapter 26 The Wired City; The Wireless World; Personal Communication; The Global Village: Convergence; Adaptation; Where Are We Today? Qulaity of Information; Where Will We Be Tomorrow? Part 27 Bibliography Part 28 Index Part 29 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

...a well-organized book that achieves its purpose...Readers of all levels of expertise could benefit.

Library & Information Science Research

This volume introduces students of information science and interested lay readers to the study of communication. Meadow (emeritus, information studies, U. of Toronto) begins with an overview of the history of communication, discussing forms ranging from cave drawings to radio, television, and the Internet. Other topics include (for example) the attributes of information, the idea of a symbol, and the communication of meaning and understanding.

Reference and Research Book News

Suggesting the true depth of the field through which Meadow is traversing, he provides brief notes and further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter. He also supplies an extensive bibliography....a good book for beginning communication students; it is a fun read for technical and professional communicators.

Technical Communication Quarterly - Gary Hernandez

This volume introduces students of information science and interested lay readers to the study of communication. Meadow (emeritus, information studies, U. of Toronto) begins with an overview of the history of communication, discussing forms ranging from cave drawings to radio, television, and the Internet. Other topics include (for example) the attributes of information, the idea of a symbol, and the communication of meaning and understanding.

August 2006 Reference and Research Book News