Papers by Uyiosa Omoregie
African knowledge systems (AKS) that process information from large amount of data, using binary ... more African knowledge systems (AKS) that process information from large amount of data, using binary computation technology, have existed for centuries. These systems have mostly been misunderstood and neglected by the scientific community or simply dismissed as mysterious. We argue here that these computational knowledge systems should be appreciated as intelligent indigenous technology. The traditional West African knowledge system known as Ifá (an automated decision-making system) is an example. The Ifá knowledge system's application of algorithmic thinking, binary arithmetic, the binary digit (bit) and what later became known as Boolean algebra, for decision making, is a clear demonstration of the sophistication of traditional AKS. To fully appreciate AKS and its importance in modern technology, it is essential to reevaluate our definition of science, technology, and innovation. An "asymmetry of definitional power" is mostly responsible for ignorance and bias against knowledge systems like Ifá. Knowledge production in Africa has traditionally been informal for many centuries and this gave the wrong impression of Africans as receivers of technology only. Africans have always been makers of technology with a sense of agency. Fun fact: ChatGPT answers in the positive, when asked, about possible connection between the Ifá system and computer technology
CRC Press eBooks, Feb 24, 2023
CRC Press eBooks, Feb 24, 2023
CRC Press eBooks, Feb 24, 2023
CRC Press eBooks, Feb 24, 2023
A global online analytical quality check system (and method) for online content analysis is prese... more A global online analytical quality check system (and method) for online content analysis is presented. Web-based information (articles, commentary etc.) is analysed then scored based on criteria designed to evaluate the quality of analytical content. Content is then categorised as ‘analytical’ or ‘non-analytical’. Further labelling of the intrinsic nature of the content (e.g. ‘satire’ ‘political’ ‘scientific’) and users’ (content consumers) ratings completes the process. Applied to Web browsers and online social media platforms: the rating produced by the quality check can help users discern quality content, avoid being misinformed and engage more analytically with other users. This system can also be viewed as a theory of information quality.
Nigeria has been Africa's largest oil producer for a long time and holds the second largest o... more Nigeria has been Africa's largest oil producer for a long time and holds the second largest oil reserves in Africa. But, is Nigeria's economy really an oil economy? Compared with genuine oil economies like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Nigeria's oil sector contributes less than a quarter of what these countries' oil sectors contribute to gross domestic product (GDP). Nigeria is actually a gas province with pockets of oil, and these natural resources bring important rents for the Federal Government. The real relationship between the petroleum industry and the Nigerian economy is that the Nigerian State is a rentier State.
How can misinformation online (World Wide Web) be effectively analysed? Online platforms initiall... more How can misinformation online (World Wide Web) be effectively analysed? Online platforms initially left content consumers to discern for themselves whether information online was true or false. Outright censoring of content followed and then fact-checking. We propose in this paper that misinformation analysis should aim to make clear what is stated by clarifying the propositions and claims in such content. The early philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) is relevant for such analysis. Presented here is an online content information quality check model for written (non-graphical) misinformation analysis and prevention. This model is inspired by Wittgenstein's book Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Applied to Web browsers and online social media platforms, the rating and labelling of content with this model can help users discern content qualitatively, avoid being misinformed, and engage more analytically with other users. This Wittgensteinian model can also be viewed as a theory of information quality.
We propose a novel method for online misinformation analysis based on a Wittgensteinian approach.... more We propose a novel method for online misinformation analysis based on a Wittgensteinian approach. We found no previous work that use Wittgenstein’s early philosophy for misinformation analysis. The works of Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) are usually divided into two: the early and the later philosophy. Wittgenstein’s book Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (TL-P) is regarded as his early masterpiece. The TL-P is concerned with the role facts play in the world. According to TL-P, the world is composed of facts and we connect with facts by our thoughts. Our thoughts picture the world and are expressed through propositions. The system for online content analysis, described here, is a descriptive tool to clarify the thoughts and propositions found within online content analysed. Web-based written non-graphical information (articles, commentary etc.) is analysed and then scored based on criteria designed to evaluate the information quality of the content. Our hypothesis is that when applied...
Misinformation online is an urgent global challenge. The gravity of the challenge, and its effect... more Misinformation online is an urgent global challenge. The gravity of the challenge, and its effect on global collective behaviour, has led to calls for social media/information disorder to be designated a “crisis discipline” like medicine, conservation biology and climate science. Scholars have generally settled for a definition of ‘information disorder’ that reveals three variants: misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. What should be of paramount importance, in the fight against information disorder, is the potential of falsehood to cause harm. This potential for harm must be the litmus test distinguishing free speech and speech that should not be free. The ‘harm principle’ proposed by John Stuart Mill is more than 150 years old and needs an upgrade for the social media age. One such upgrade is proposed by Cass Sunstein. We summarize different approaches to analysing online information disorder. We conclude that approaches which emphasize analytical and critical thinkin...
Journal of Economics and Business, 2019
Gottlob Frege (1848-1925) transformed the field of logic from what it had remained since the days... more Gottlob Frege (1848-1925) transformed the field of logic from what it had remained since the days of Aristotle. Regarded as the founder of modern logic and much of modern philosophy, Frege laid the foundations of predicate logic, first-order predicate calculus and quantificational logic – formal systems central to computer science and mathematics. Frege was not satisfied with the ambiguity and imprecision of ordinary language. He created a new ‘formula language’ with elaborate symbols and definite rules, focused on conceptual content rather than rhetorical style, which he called Begriffsschrift – a formal language for 'pure thought'. Before Frege, George Boole (1815-1864) created what later became known as ‘Boolean logic’ which is fundamental to operations of computer science today. An application of Wittgensteinian logic could help filter authentic information from information disorder (non-information, off-information, mal-information and mis-information). Wittgensteinian ...
Online platforms initially left content consumers to discern for themselves whether information o... more Online platforms initially left content consumers to discern for themselves whether information online was true or false. Censoring of content followed then fact-checking. We propose here that misinformation analysis should aim to make clear what is stated by clarifying the propositions and claims in such content (declarative language/factual discourse). We also introduce two new concepts: “off-information” and “non-information” as distinct information disorder variants. The early work of Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) is relevant for such analysis. Presented here is an online content information quality check model for written (non-graphical) misinformation analysis and prevention. This model is inspired by Wittgenstein’s book Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Applied to Web browsers and online social media platforms, the rating and labelling of content with this model can help users discern content qualitatively, avoid being misinformed, and engage more analytically with other user...
Misinformation propagation in its current form is a global problem that requires urgent solutions... more Misinformation propagation in its current form is a global problem that requires urgent solutions. Historically, instances of misinformation publicly propagated can be found as far back as the sixth century AD.Scholars and researchers have generally settled for a definition of ‘information disorder’ that reveals three variants: misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. What should be of paramount importance, in the fight against information disorders, is the potential of false information to cause harm. The ‘harm principle’ was proposed by the British philosopher John Stuart Mill in 1859 and needs an upgrade for the social media age. One such upgrade is proposed by Cass Sunstein.
The complex nature of the ‘infodemic’ problem requires a combination of different approaches to a... more The complex nature of the ‘infodemic’ problem requires a combination of different approaches to analysing online information disorder. Approaches which emphasize analytical and critical thinking are important but have shortcomings. Fact-checking as a misinformation prevention strategy also has limitations. Certain types of misinformation disorder are complex and providing ‘facts’ alone may not change beliefs in adherents, particularly when deeply-held beliefs are involved. Sometimes the opposite effect of strengthening the false belief occurs. This has led to the strategy of trying to prevent or neutralize misinformation through ‘inoculation’ or ‘prebunking’ . Prebunking or inoculation involves exposing the flawed argumentation techniques of misinformation to prepare online content consumers against future misinformation. For analysing complex phenomena like conspiracy theories a ‘systems’ approach is more effective to reveal root causes of information disorder, provide actionable i...
Two types of thinking/perspectives are contrasted: reductionist and holistic. The superior of the... more Two types of thinking/perspectives are contrasted: reductionist and holistic. The superior of the two is highlighted by its effectiveness in the management of complex phenomena ranging from business management to social policy. Reductionist thinking has its benefits when dealing with simpler phenomena but has severe limitations and can be a blind-spot for managers. As the world we live in now is characterized by increasing complexity, managers must switch from reductionist to holistic thinking in order to make the right interventions in complex issues.
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Papers by Uyiosa Omoregie