secrecy is dying

Wired (or more accurately, Clive Thompson) today posted a story about transparency. Though it is mainly focused on CEO's, it is a tremendously interesting read. With google and the web exposing our darkest secrets whether we want or not, our only possible response is total openness. When denied the possibility to hide our misdeeds, we are forced to instead reveal everything, drown the bad image in a massive flow of truth. Or, as Clive puts it:

Either way, there's no use trying to resist. You're already naked.

Now, the list of examples of this in society can be made long. The article brings up the Sunlight Foundation, and to that I could add the heavily debated blog of the Swedish foreign minister, Daily Kos and its relatives in the (mainly American) political blogosphere, the people-powered search through the attorney firings...

But I will not tire you more with that, rather I'll let Wired finish:

One can imagine how the twin engines of reputation and transparency will warp every corner of life in years to come, for good and ill. The political culture in Washington might be affected - especially when the first MySpace candidate gains the trust of the electorate by openly posting about every closed-door meeting, importunate lobbyist, and campaign strategy session.