MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE Flashcards
Understand the Shannon Mathematical Model of Communication Diagram
- Made by Claude Shannon.
- It describes how information is transmitted from a sender to a receiver
Information Source
The origin of the message or data (e.g., a person speaking, a computer sending data).
Transmitter
Converts the message into a signal suitable for transmission (e.g., a telephone, microphone, or radio transmitter).
Channel
The medium through which the signal travels (e.g., air, cables, radio waves).
Noise Source
Any interference that distorts the signal while traveling through the channel (e.g., static, background noise).
Receiver
Decodes the signal back into the original message (e.g., a telephone speaker, a radio receiver).
Destination
The final target of the message (e.g., the listener, a computer system).
Diagram Representation
[Information Source] → [Transmitter] → [Channel] → [Receiver] → [Destination]
⬆
[Noise]
Understand the difference between ANALOG and DIGITAL means of encoding a signal
The main difference between analog and digital encoding lies in how they represent and transmit information.
Analog
Characteristics:
* Infinite possible values within a range (e.g., voltage levels in a radio signal).
* More prone to noise and distortion over long distances.
* Requires amplifiers to boost signals, which can introduce more noise.
Digital
Characteristics:
* Limited set of values (e.g., binary code: 1s and 0s).
* Less susceptible to noise and interference since errors can be corrected.
* Can be compressed and encrypted for efficient transmission and security.
Why did Claude Shannon think a digital channel would be noiseless?
Claude Shannon believed a digital channel could be noiseless because digital signals (using 0s and 1s) can be protected from errors using special techniques, even in noisy environments.
Why does Rosa Menkman say there is no such thing as a “noiseless channel”?
Rosa Menkman argues that there is no such thing as a “noiseless channel” because noise is inherent in all forms of communication and plays an essential role in shaping the transmission of information.
ALEATORIC (also called ALEATORY, or CHANCE-BASED) artworks: understand the concept and be able to give an example.
Aleatoric (or Aleatory) Art refers to works of art that involve an element of chance or randomness in their creation. T
* Paik was one of the first artists to experiment with television as an art medium. In his work, he often modified and distorted TV signals, creating unexpected visuals. He would sometimes use random inputs or manipulation techniques—like altering the signal with electromagnetic fields or using video feedback loops—to introduce chance into the final visual outcome. His piece TV Buddha (1974), for example
Manon and Temkin say a glitch happens when software cannot “treat the wrong bit of data in anything other than the right way.” What do they mean by this?
Manon and Temkin are saying that a glitch occurs when software is unable to handle incorrect or unexpected data in a flexible way. The software is rigid in how it processes data, so when it encounters something “wrong,” it can’t adjust and instead breaks or acts unpredictably.
According to Whit Pow, how are error messages (such as a “404: Page Not Found” error) different from glitches?
error messages like the “404” are planned responses to specific issues that the software recognizes, while glitches are unplanned malfunctions that arise when something goes wrong within the system.
Signal
The intended message or information being communicated.
DIGITAL SIGNALS: Why Did Shannon Think They Could Be “Noiseless”?
- Unlike analog signals (which degrade due to interference), digital signals consist of discrete values (0s and 1s).
- Because a digital signal can be perfectly reconstructed, it does not degrade when copied or transmitted—as long as errors are detected and corrected.
- This is why digital media (like CDs, DVDs, and MP3s) are clearer and more durable than analog formats (like vinyl or cassette tapes).
Where did entropy come from?
- Originally a thermodynamic concept measuring disorder in a system (from physics).
- Shannon adapted it to information theory, defining entropy as the amount of uncertainty or unpredictability in a message.
Why did artists and theorists care?
about entropy
In the postwar era, entropy became a metaphor for uncertainty, randomness, and the breakdown of structure in art, music, and media.
Where does noise enter gameplay?
Between the player’s intention (input) and the game’s response (output).
Sources of jankiness (unintended messiness in control):
- Hardware issues (e.g., input lag, broken buttons)
- Software design (e.g., bad hitboxes, unpredictable physics)
- Network lag (in online games, delays in data transfer)
Why Does Image Quality Decline When Copying?
Each time you copy an analog media (e.g., VHS tapes, film prints), errors and distortions accumulate.
Causes of decline:
for generation loss
- Signal degradation (loss of detail, color fading)
- Noise accumulation (grain, artifacts, distortion)
- Physical wear (scratches, warping)
Example: A VHS tape copied multiple times gets fuzzier, loses sharpness, and gains tracking issues.
