Information-theoretic death

Information-theoretic death (/ɪn.fɔːrˈmeɪ.ʃən θɪəˈrɛtɪk dɛθ/) is a term that originates from the field of cryonics and information theory. It refers to the point at which the information that constitutes a person's mind is irretrievably lost, despite the physical body still being alive.

Etymology

The term "Information-theoretic death" is derived from the field of information theory, a branch of mathematics and electrical engineering that studies the quantification, storage, and communication of information. The concept is used in the context of cryonics, the low-temperature preservation of humans who cannot be sustained by contemporary medicine, with the hope that healing and resuscitation may be possible in the future.

Related Terms

Cryonics: The low-temperature preservation of humans who cannot be sustained by contemporary medicine, with the hope that healing and resuscitation may be possible in the future.
Information theory: A branch of mathematics and electrical engineering that studies the quantification, storage, and communication of information.
Mind: The set of cognitive faculties including consciousness, perception, thinking, judgement, and memory.
Information: Data processed or stored by a computer, being in the form of a text document, image, audio, video, etc.