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timeletsA totally arbitrary and meaningless milestone — 1,000 goals — creates a background for tracking. Once the background is there, we can start obtaining data and convert the data into information, i.e. verify and attach meaning to the data. Furthermore, we can create knowledge, by connecting this information to other pieces of information, e.g. other players who reached the same milestone, teams that had the most players that achieved the milestone, etc. We can even obtain a certain wisdom, by trying to predict the future, based on the knowledge. Thus, the entire system of data-information-knowledge-wisdom has been created out, practically, nothing.
Animals are known for being able to track targets against a background. Many animals use mimicry to defeat this particular tracking mechanism. I wonder whether the ability to build dynamic backgrounds is unique to humans.
UPD: I think I got carried away a bit with the idea. Animals do mark their territory, creating background for future reference. They also have a way to estimate time, based, e.g. on degradation of smells. Nevertheless, they probably don't have the concept of a round number.
Animals are known for being able to track targets against a background. Many animals use mimicry to defeat this particular tracking mechanism. I wonder whether the ability to build dynamic backgrounds is unique to humans.
UPD: I think I got carried away a bit with the idea. Animals do mark their territory, creating background for future reference. They also have a way to estimate time, based, e.g. on degradation of smells. Nevertheless, they probably don't have the concept of a round number.
