How does the conceptualization of information as a physical, embodied entity reshape our understanding of biological and social systems? Phillip Thurtle and Robert B. Mitchell examine the intersection of information theory and material culture, arguing that data is not merely abstract code but a force that actively shapes human bodies and environments. By synthesizing perspectives from media studies, biology, and history, the authors propose a framework where information functions as a tangible agent of change in the modern world.

Experts in media theory and science studies frequently cite this work as a critical intervention in the discourse surrounding digital materiality. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of information theory and cultural studies to fully grasp the authors' arguments.