What differentiates humans from animals? Beyond the obvious physical traits, I would argue that our ability to imagine abstract thoughts is the spark that created our world. In our minds, we can "see" things that do not exist in the physical realm. It's pretty magical when you stop to think about it. I have never seen the dodo bird, but I know what it looked like, how it lived and what caused its extinction. I even know when it happened, thanks to the books I've read and the people I've spoken with. As for a more practical example, I use maps every day of my life on my phone. Based on these images and information, I know which way to drive to work to avoid traffic and how long my journey will take. I am a consumer of information. We all are. We are also all producers of information.