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We keep moving towards greater transparency in business, in government, even in our personal lives. 100% transparency–where anyone can know anything that is should be public (plus things that are implicitly public, such as when you go to the grocery store)–has some interesting effects.
First, it’s very powerful. It holds corporations and governments accountable to the public.
It’s dangerous–at least for a period of time. WikiLeaks is an interesting example. Leaking sensitive information may cause more harm than good in the short term (ex. the positions of US forces in Afghanistan). But in the longer term, 100% transparency could stop governments and corporations from doing things that require secrecy.
People act differently when they’re in front of people–which we sort of are with 100% transparency. This may not be a good thing for us personally. There are a number of potential reasons: being politicians more than individuals, added costs to partying with your friends if your future (or current) employers may know about it, people becoming more boringly “tame”, being less likely to break the rules every once in a while (double-edged sword there.)
Just some thoughts.
-Kevin
8.12.2010
