the.com/transparency
the art of being seen so thoroughly that hiding becomes impossible and trust becomes inevitable
means the quality of being open, clear, and honest — letting others see exactly what's going on, whether in glass, government, or motive.
from From Latin trans- 'through' plus parere 'to appear, be visible' — literally 'showing through.' Medieval Latin coined transparens for things light could pass through, like glass or thin cloth, and the word entered English (via French) first as a purely physical idea. Only later did we stretch it metaphorically: governments, accounts, and intentions that could be 'seen through' the way light passes through a clear pane.
- latin root
- means to appear through, like light crossing glass
- glass paradox
- perfect transparency makes glass invisible and dangerous to birds
- frog skin
- glass frogs reveal their beating hearts through translucent bellies
- corporate buzzword
- often promised loudest by the least transparent
- old tech
- projector transparencies once ruled every classroom and boardroom
wikileaks — released 251,287 classified us diplomatic cables starting 2010, exposing government secrets
open government initiative — us executive order 2009 requiring federal agencies to publish data publicly online