The orders of documents, the orders of activity, and the orders of information

Abstract

In this article I will argue, from the perspective of a scholar of writing and literacy, that information has been (and will likely continue to be for the foreseeable future) tied to human texts—created, organized, circulated, and used within human activities. As we complete the conversion from older technologies of information storage based on the physical texts used directly within recognizable activities to digital inscription, storage, access and delivery of information, we are faced with choices that can either homogenize information or maintain visibility of human documents (whether material or virtual), the situations from which they arose, and the situations in which they will be used once accessed. As we develop tools, systems, and concepts to draw together more heterogeneous pieces from more heterogeneous circumstances, we also need to develop tools, systems and concepts to see information in its particular circumstances of use.