Information Architecture

#practical-application #system-architecture

What It Is

Information architecture is prevention architecture applied to attention and information consumption. The modern information environment is adversarially engineered to capture attention, fragment focus, and maximize engagement time. Default configuration (notifications enabled, apps accessible, infinite scroll available) produces outcomes most people don't want: fragmented attention, working memory overflow, reactive consumption patterns. Architected configuration produces different outputs automatically.

The Alpha/Beta distinction provides deep framework: Beta signals (push notifications, social media feeds, news alerts) fragment attention across external demands. Alpha signals (pull-based querying when needed) maintain coherent internal thread. The architectural question: remove Beta interference sources (prevention) or resist each interrupt (expensive, fails).

Information consumption follows Boltzmann distribution—you naturally consume what has lowest activation energy. Phone on desk, notification visible = 0.1 units to check. Resistance costs 2-3 units per notification. You will check phone. Not moral failure—thermodynamics. Solution: phone locked in drawer = 4 units to check, continuing work = 0.5 units. Now thermodynamics selects for work.

Push vs Pull Architecture

The fundamental architectural choice: allow world to push information to you (Beta architecture) or query world when you need information (Alpha architecture).

Push architecture (Beta):

graph LR
    A[Work Thread] --> B[External Signal<br/>Notification]
    B --> C[Interrupt]
    C --> D[Process Notification]
    D --> E[Attempt Resume]
    E --> F[External Signal]
    F --> C
    style B fill:#ff9999
    style C fill:#ff9999

Characteristics:

• World controls timing (you are reactive)
• Information arrives regardless of relevance
• Working memory constantly disrupted
• High reactivation cost after each interrupt
• Attention fragmented across external demands

Pull architecture (Alpha):

graph LR
    A[Work Thread] --> B{Need info?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Query]
    C --> D[Get Answer]
    D --> A
    B -->|No| A
    style A fill:#99ff99
    style D fill:#99ccff

Characteristics:

• You control timing (you are proactive)
• Information serves current focus
• Working memory remains coherent
• Low continuation cost (no interrupts)
• Attention maintained on chosen priority

Comparison table:

The intervention: Remove all push sources. Phone notifications off. Email checks scheduled (not constant). Social media apps deleted. News alerts disabled. Query when needed, ignore otherwise.

Prevention Architecture for Digital Environment

Specific architectural interventions that eliminate resistance cost:

Phone management:

Website/app blocking:

Prevention through technical barriers:

• Block DoorDash/entertainment sites during work hours
• Remove social media apps from phone (not just hide—delete)
• Browser extensions prevent infinite scroll
• App time limits hard stop (not notifications—actual blocking)

The redirect pattern:

Instead of resisting urge to check DoorDash:

1. Attempt to open app
2. See redirect screen (different positive signal)
3. Experience different outcome (no food reward)
4. After 30+ repetitions: circuit rewires (DoorDash → redirect → no dopamine)

Not willpower defeating temptation. New temporal pairing replacing old pairing.

Deliberate Information Acquisition

Pull architecture doesn't mean zero information consumption—it means intentional consumption aligned with current priorities.

Strategic information categories:

Anti-patterns to prevent:

Content Selection Framework

Not all information is equal in value/cost ratio. Information value = uncertainty reduction × decision impact. Information cost = time + attention + cognitive load.

Value/cost matrix:

        High Value
            |
   Q2       |      Q1
 (Medium)   |   (Consume)
            |
────────────┼──────────── High Cost
            |
   Q4       |      Q3
  (Avoid)   |   (Limited)
            |
        Low Value

Examples by quadrant:

The deliberate queue:

Instead of consuming reactively:

1. Encounter interesting article → Save to read later
2. Batch process queue weekly
3. Skim to assess value/cost
4. Deep read Q1/Q2, discard Q3/Q4
5. Extract actionable insights
6. Execute or archive

Separates discovery (low cost) from consumption (high cost). Enables filtering before commitment.

The Information Diet Protocol

Will's current system (zero social media, phone off by default):

Prevention layers:

Consumption windows:

• Morning 6-8am: Zero information input (braindump, work launch)
• Work blocks 8am-12pm: Query-only (Stack Overflow, docs as needed)
• Midday 12-1pm: Gym (zero information)
• Afternoon 1-5pm: Query-only work blocks
• Evening 5-8pm: Deliberate consumption window (if desired)

The architecture prevents reactive fragmented consumption, enables sustained focus, reduces willpower expenditure on resistance.

Related Concepts

• Signal Theory - Alpha (pull) vs Beta (push) information architecture
• Prevention Architecture - Remove notification sources, not resist notifications
• Focus - Sustained attention through removing interrupt sources
• Willpower - Each interrupt/resistance costs units
• Working Memory - Information overload fragments capacity
• Activation Energy - Access cost determines consumption patterns
• Statistical Mechanics - Thermodynamic flow to lowest-cost option
• Neural Positivism - Positive replacement signals, not mere absence
• AI as Accelerator - Use AI for query acceleration, not continuous feed

Key Principle

Design information environment for pull, not push - Modern information environment is adversarially optimized to capture attention through notifications, infinite scroll, algorithmic feeds. Default configuration produces fragmented attention, reactive consumption, and capacity overflow. Architected environment: remove push sources (delete apps, disable notifications, lock phone), enable pull when needed (scheduled query windows, deliberate batching). This isn't asceticism—it's Alpha architecture that maintains coherent internal thread versus Beta fragmentation across external demands. Each push interrupt costs 0.5-1 willpower unit for context switch. Each resistance to notification costs 2-3 units. With 50+ daily notifications, cost exceeds budget. Prevention (sources removed) costs 0 units ongoing. Phone in drawer not visible = thermodynamics selects for continued focus. Same information accessible through pull queries (Stack Overflow, docs, searches) but you control timing. The difference: reactive scattered consumption vs intentional targeted acquisition.

Your attention is finite. The information environment is infinite and adversarial. Design architecture that prevents push, enables pull, and preserves sustained focus for priorities that matter.