Final answer:
Digital information is considered an 'experience good' because its quality is difficult to assess before use. The term reflects the uncertainty consumers face when deciding the expected value of digital information products without first-hand experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
When digital information is referred to as an 'experience good,' it pertains to option 2: The quality of digital information being difficult to assess beforehand. Experience goods are products or services whose quality or value cannot be fully ascertained until after purchase or use. In society, we often base our purchase decisions on the belief about the potential satisfaction a product or service will provide. This implies that for digital information, similar to other products, the information available to the consumer is often imperfect or not entirely clear, leading to potential uncertainty about the inherent value before the actual use or consumption. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where society, the media, or decision-makers rely on digital information to shape public opinion or legislative decisions. A person's ability to parse through digital information and derive meaningful insights is crucial in both personal and professional settings. As a result, the marketplace for digital info is characterized by a need to experience the content first-hand to fully evaluate its worth.