Comments on: Lessig: control transparency? No way! http://citizentools.netalyst.com/2009/lessig-control-transparency-no-way It's up to us. Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:13:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: A question of transparency - Dave Herrera (.org) http://citizentools.netalyst.com/2009/lessig-control-transparency-no-way/comment-page-1#comment-1122 A question of transparency - Dave Herrera (.org) Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:52:43 +0000 http://citizentools.netalyst.com/?p=107#comment-1122 [...] Chris Berendes, Lessig: control transparency? No way! [...] [...] Chris Berendes, Lessig: control transparency? No way! [...]

]]> By: Brian Drake http://citizentools.netalyst.com/2009/lessig-control-transparency-no-way/comment-page-1#comment-1116 Brian Drake Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:23:04 +0000 http://citizentools.netalyst.com/?p=107#comment-1116 @Chris-- Thanks for the ping-back. I concur with your analysis. I don't think that Larry is making a value statement on transparency, just about its application. Transparency, without context and direct need, can be destructive. For example, you may not want to expose the salaries of everyone who works in an office or company. That data is sensitive and probably would raise serious privacy concerns. Likewise, perhaps its a good idea to expose the calendars of Congress members, but what about Federal Executives? Congress is explicitly accountable to its constituency. Are Federal Executives accountable to every citizen? In some ways, yes. But those same executives have rights as private citizens. My analysis is that Lessig is arguing for, broadly, moderation, consideration, and pause when advocating for more "sunlight" on our public officials. There can be blow-back and damage to our collective interests. Great post, BTW, thanks for advancing the debate. @Chris– Thanks for the ping-back. I concur with your analysis. I don’t think that Larry is making a value statement on transparency, just about its application. Transparency, without context and direct need, can be destructive. For example, you may not want to expose the salaries of everyone who works in an office or company. That data is sensitive and probably would raise serious privacy concerns. Likewise, perhaps its a good idea to expose the calendars of Congress members, but what about Federal Executives? Congress is explicitly accountable to its constituency. Are Federal Executives accountable to every citizen? In some ways, yes. But those same executives have rights as private citizens.

My analysis is that Lessig is arguing for, broadly, moderation, consideration, and pause when advocating for more “sunlight” on our public officials. There can be blow-back and damage to our collective interests.

Great post, BTW, thanks for advancing the debate.

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