Just computational functionalism disguised under more complex analysis/definition. Information does not have meaning in and of itself; it requires an external, subjective observer to make it meaningful. Without meaning (or intentionality), then something sure as hell can't be conscious. If any of y'all are interested in a fresh take on the mind-body problem and the study of consciousness as a whole, check out Varela, Thompson and Rosch's The Embodied Mind (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Embodied-Mind-Cognitive-Experience/...). It presents an interesting alternative to the computational paradigm that has provided little insight into understanding consciousness, and as many would argue, has been debunked entirely by Searle's Chinese room thought-experiment. it is also a FANTASTIC introduction to the limitations and problems with our current scientific model.