E.10.INT:2 - Problem

The same word connects several different questions. An informative observation changes beliefs; a learning-progress signal compares what a learner can do; a promising stepping stone offers further possibilities; an affected participant has something to gain or lose. In a joint project these relations often coexist.

Their differences matter when a phrase becomes an instruction. Asking an agent to maximize “surprise” may reward unpredictable observations instead of observations that help it distinguish its hypotheses. Requiring a promising idea to demonstrate progress toward a distant goal may discard the very construction from which another goal could emerge. Selecting an “interesting rhythm” leaves the choice unresolved until the listener, performer or musical use is known.