Information Networks

Information: Knowledge or facts learned, especially about a certain subject or event.

Network: An extended group of entities that interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.

Data: Facts that can be analyzed or used in an effort to gain knowledge or make decisions; information.

An information network is any system that allows a group to both receive and disperse specific facts and knowledge, especially regarding a certain subject or event. They can be abstract structures, such as the English language, or physical infrastructure, such as the internet.

The internet is the most well-known form of information network, but it is far from the first and probably won't be the last. Before it came around, much specialized knowledge was dispersed through magazines and newspapers. Before the common folk became literate, tradesmen and merchants traveling between towns carried news and other information.

Information networks aren't unique to humans. Any community, whether human or animal, needs to be able to communicate information to survive. Whether to warn of danger or inform of a food source, most species have some basic method of commicating within their species.

What makes humans different (as far as I can tell) is that humans go a step further with 'language' - a means by which unique abstract information can be shared.

'Unique abstract information' in this context refers to things that, without language, would otherwise exist only in our minds - dreams of mythical creatures or plans for the future, for example.