Useful Information
Small Talk
Useful information to me would be information that has some value, this would become a complex issue from what I can determine. I get useful information from people when I engage in small talk, it can show that they are comfortable to be around me - I dare say the converse is possible by my giving small talk to show that I am comfortable around them.
By Analogy
Then there is information via analogy - just by interacting with others on their points of view I have been able to apply the received information by analogy to something else of value to me - I mean something technically unrelated. You don’t even have to be aware of the analogous connection as long as you are absorbing the information given. The neural networks themselves are able to make the analogies fit - it is only the mind that gets annoyed with UN-fitting information. It does beg the question whether annoyance is more elemental - but I do think the neurons are quite happy to keep processing(figuratively speaking) as long as they have the energy to do so.
Directly Applicable
Lastly for this post there is what we perceive as directly applicable information. On first glance this information can bring a smile to our face. When someone is helping us to fill in the gaps of our own information it is mostly positive. When we enter into a state with them of confusion it is then that our mind must work harder to make the connections. Directly applicable information can become boring to some people - as peculiar as it sounds, I think it boils down to resolution leveling out the mind/body so therefore we seek more stimulus.
All three of the examples I have provided here come with their own pros and cons but I will leave that up to the reader to discern. Useful information is by no means limited to these three examples for example, information that comforts outside of small talk can be by analogy or directly applicable and no doubt something not tied up in these three examples.
“As a being, I desire other beings to measure the worth of existence and without other beings, existence would be worthless.”