1. Ayaz Isazadeh Department of Computer Science University of Tabriz
CSSE, Sharif University, 2011
Citizens of Information Society
in the Light Age
Ayaz Isazadeh
Department of Computer Science
University of Tabriz 1

2. What is information? Formal Definition
r is the (,t)-representation of e,
if there exists a function  and
a point in time t, such that (e,t)=r.
t is the representation time,
 is the representation function,
e is the representandum, and
r is the representation.

3. What is information? Informal Concepts
Any Representation of an Entity is Information about the Entity.
Partial Representations are also possible and, in most cases, all we can have are only partial representations.
The entity, in turn, may well be a representation of a higher level entity and so,
there are hierarchy of representations…
Reality / Virtuality

4. Information Society
As a result of today’s free flow of Information, our society is now an “Information Society”
In the digital world of Information Society
Information (and knowledge) is available to everybody, everywhere.
There is no Geographic Borders.

5. whether we like it or not!
Information Society…
In the digital world of Information Society
Clarity, Precession, Openness, and only Informed Statements, Decisions and Actions are governing this world.
And, that is the game,
whether we like it or not!

6. A Different Game!
A new environment, a new game,
and a whole new set of rules…
We must learn the rules,
and play the game by the rules.
Society and individuals, who cannot adapt, will not survive.
Those who shall not live with the law, shall die by the law!!!

7. Social and Cultural Infrastructures
Each technology, including and specially Information Technology, requires its own appropriate social and cultural infrastructure
Do we create such an infrastructure?
I believe not, it comes along with the technology,
whether we like it or not!

8. The Turkey Experience…1984 27 Years ago!
Rapidly developing in sectors like
Technology, Production, Commerce, International trades and exports, and etc.
Dramatically underdeveloped in areas like
Social behaviors, Cultural infrastructures, Medical and Health programs, and etc.

9. The Turkey Experience…1994 17 Years ago!
Noticeable advances and achievements in
Technology, Production, Commerce, International trades and exports, and etc.
Better, but certainly no matching progress in
Social behaviors, Cultural infrastructures, Medical and Health programs, and etc.

10. The Turkey Experience…2007 Just a few years ago!
Turning to almost a developed society in
Technology, Production, Commerce, International trades and exports, and etc.
Surprisingly corresponding advances in
Social behaviors, Cultural infrastructures, Medical and Health programs, and etc.

11. The Turkey Experience… Conclusion!
On the way to Global Information Society
It is certainly better to establish the appropriate social and cultural infrastructures
But, Don’t wait for it…
The technology will bring along its own social and cultural infrastructure.

12. Where Are We Heading? The Global Information Society
Empowered by the free flow of information,
islands of diverse human societies
are joining together, forming a single uniform society,
The Global Information Society
With no Geographic Borders

13. On our way to the Global Information Society
What kind of day and age
are we (and will we be) experiencing?
How can we characterize it?
Is it the age of electronics, for example?
The age of information, knowledge, or wisdom?

14. Computing and Information Science and Technology as a set of Tools
Have been serving our needs, supporting different sciences, technologies, and industries,
as a set of tools
But, they are no longer just a bunch of tools.
They are now affecting
individual and social behaviors and cultural issues 14

15. Computing and Information Science and Technology in this Day and Age
Define Individual’s Behavior, Social Relations,
and bring about
Social Changes and Improvements.
Computing and Information Science and Technology is no longer just a bunch of tools. 15

16. Making our Lives Open and Transparent
Bring about clarity and honesty.
Making the age, what I call, The Light Age .
In this day and age,
one has to think and plan clearly,
act and behave honestly, or,
will be rejected by the
openness and transparency of The Light Age 16

17. The Light Age In this day and age, There will be no room for
lie, duplicity, deception, perversion.
Dishonest politicians, for example,
will not survive 17

18. CS Culture Understanding the way of life in the Light Age,
within CS students of UofT, a set of what we call Fundamental Principles of CS Culture
has taken shape.
No one has dictated these principles,
No one has decided to behave accordingly, by will,
And no specific person has created this culture.
It has not been invented by anyone,
Just discovered, unconsciously, during the years,
by our CS students. 18

19. Fundamental Principles of CS Culture
Light: With open minds and enlightened hearts, we are crystal clear in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Honesty: Starting with open minds and enlightened hearts, we live honestly. Honesty in all aspects is our way of life.
Love: Passionately in love with our work and our society, all we do is with love and for love. There is no room for hatred in our lives.
Dynamism: Our dynamic thoughts in study, research and all other daily activities are continuously leading our society towards progress and perfection. 19

20. Fundamental Principles of CS Culture
Identity: Proud of what and who we are, enthusiastically we support and share the feelings of each other in happiness and sorrow. We are proud of our integrity.
Work: In every stage of our lives, we have goals and processes to achieve them. We all like achieving our goals, but we love the process; we enjoy and live the process.
Courage: There is no room for lie, duplicity, deception, perversion, and hatred in our culture. Dynamically thinking, proudly supporting each other, enjoying the process of our daily activities, we have nothing to fear. Bravery is, indeed, a natural characteristic of our culture. 20

21. Discussion
Thank you
Questions ?
and Comments… 21