Information Theory - Claude Shannon, Information Theory Today

Information theory posits that information is simply data that reduces the level of uncertainty on a given subject or problem, and can be quantified by the extent to which uncertainty is diminished. More importantly for the practical uses of information theory, however, is that it fits the concept of information and communication into mathematical theory. All content, no matter what its form-music, text, video-can be reduced to a simple string of ones and zeros, thereby allowing tremendous flexibility in the mode of interpretation of that information. The application of information theory has had a tremendous impact on telecommunications and information technology and, by implication, the Internet, since it deals expressly with information-carrying capacities.