information intended to add value to a decision is productive

otherwise, information having only entertainment value is consumptive

systemaccounting measures the productive value of information according to the amount of work it reduces, i.e. shortens the distance between an initial condition and the desired outcome

for information that describes how to achieve a previously-impossible outcome, the productive value is infinity, and for information that informs its recipient how to achieve an outcome they're already capable of, the productive value is zero

systemaccounting empowers people by maximizing the circulation of productive value within the economy