PUBLIC OPINION,TRADITION, AND INFORMATION HALF-LIFE?

The information needs of a complex society are not met by an information-flow technology invented and developed in traditional societies. This article provides a theoretical framework derived from modern systems theory by which to understand the technology of public opinion policy formation in guidance operations of a complex society. Qualitative models of information flow systems are presented together with a discussion of the kind of society each information flow technology produces. Three are considered: tradition-based information-flow societies, managed information-flow societies (Utopian and elitist), and cybernetic issue-based information-flow societies.