Description
Book SynopsisA 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 formsbe it print or electronic media, mass communication as well as person-to-person messaging, whether by mail, telephone, gesture, or emailis 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.
Trade Review...a well-organized book that achieves its purpose...Readers of all levels of expertise could benefit. * Library & Information Science Research, Vol. 29, No. 2 (2007) *
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, August 2006 *
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. -- Gary Hernandez * Technical Communication Quarterly, Vol. 54, No. 4, November 2007 *
Table of ContentsPart 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
