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Axiom 3. We can classify machines into two categories, "energy machines" and "data machines". An energy machine is a machine whose main purpose is only to modify the quantity or quality of the energy that flows through it. A data machine is a machine whose main purpose is to modify the pattern of the energy that flows through it. |
A "machine" as defined by Axiom 1 does not distinguish between these. In both cases, energy flows in, is modified, and flows out. Thus, in the sense of Axiom 1, all machines are energy machines.
The distinction here is in the purpose of the machine. If the change in the energy alone is the purpose, it is an "energy machine"; if the change in the pattern is the purpose, it is a "data machine".
For example, suppose we have a continuous flow of some energy, say waves of air pressure, experienced as sound. If we run that energy thru a machine that amplifies it to become very much louder, then that machine is merely an energy machine. The purpose of the machine is to amplify waves of air pressure. If the air pressure waves happen to be caused by a person speaking, or a baby crying, or just "noise", that is not relevant: whatever the input, the machine makes it louder.
But if a machine inputs a voice speaking English and outputs a voice speaking French, we'd have a "data machine".
Thus the distinction between "energy machine" and "data machine" is the same as the distinction between "energy" and "data". One modifies energy only; the other modifies the data carried in the energy.