Transparency

32 Replies

The catch word for today is ‘Transparency”. People think everything should be transparent, we should know it all. I am here to add my voice to that conversation and tell you… No thanks. I don’t want to know what goes into making my sausage that I am thoroughly enjoying. I don’t want to know the machinations that were used to get aid to those who require it. I just want to know that it has happened.

We live in a world where everyone seems to want to get ahead by stepping on other people. OK not everyone! But enough that we are concerned. We should be. And we want to know what’s going on to ensure that that doesn’t happen. I understand that. And I agree. But too much information simply muddies the water. I trust in the people we put in place to protect us. Call me naïve if you wish.  There’s enough going on in my life for me to worry about that it’s difficult to worry about, well, everybody else. And quite honestly some of it is none of my business.

I have used celebrities before as an example and unfortunately, they are the favourite punching bag. I don’t need to know everything about them. I don’t need to know their eating habits or their toiletry practices. IT IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS! It shouldn’t be anybody else’s either. I don’t want some stranger knowing what is in my medicine cabinet. So why does the gutter media think they have the right to snoop so intrusively? I don’t know. But I do know that there is a certain transparency that should not be exploited.

I once watched a YouTube bit about a transparent public toilet. (It’s in Japan) when no one is in the room it is transparent. When someone comes in and locks the door it turns opaque. It is done to dispel the concept of dirty, smelly bathrooms. With my luck I would be halfway through my use of it with my knickers around my ankles and it would turn transparent. Seriously. I don’t have that kind of courage. But it highlights the whole concept of transparency. Sometimes it is a good thing. But not always.

It is not transparency we require; it is accountability. We need to know that what is important will be taken care of and what is not important will be dismissed. The trick is knowing the difference. There are things that once seen can never be unseen. Things once said that can never be unsaid. We need to be careful and we need to be accountable. If we take responsibility for things that we have done or said then we have a much better chance of being accepted for who we are and what we believe. At least that is what I believe.

32 thoughts on “Transparency”

  1. Mark Lanesbury

    It starts with much focus on anything else so we don’t have to look at ourselves…but one day that all changes, and we finally find what we have been looking for…just not where we were looking 😀 But the transparent loo thing…NOT! 🤣 Great post dear lady…very transparent, as is your drawing 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Murphy’s Law

    Well said Pam. Transparency in our lives should have boundaries. I totally agree with you that the personal habits of others is none of my business. I am not even curious. We all know what things we should be up front about. The same people who are always screaming for transparency are the very ones who scream about the right to privacy. 🤔

    I absolutely love your sketch. Perfect for this outstanding post.
    Ginger

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. quiall Post author

      I’m glad everyone likes that sketch. I did that probably 30 years ago in an art class. First time I worked from a live model. It really was an eye-opener. I’m not sure if people really understand the idea of full transparency. And you are right, they seem to want it for other people but never themselves.

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  5. Dale

    Perfect sketch (and beautifully done) to go with this text. Transparency is necessary in politics – which would hold politicians accountable.

    I will never understand people’s interests in celebrities eating habits, et al. The invasion of their privacy astounds me to no end. As for those who choose to share all and sundry? Well, it is on them. Let’s face it, there are more who wish to remain less “known” than they are.

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  6. Dan Antion

    Hear hear! Very well said, Pam.

    The more distant I am from a process, i.e. the less able I am to influence it, the less I care to know. I’m all about knowing how things work, but I can wait for the movie. As for people’s lives, you’re right, everyone has a right to some privacy.

    The word transparency is much overused, as is the concept. Last fall, the man running for First Selectman (like mayor) of our little town was campaigning door-to-door. He acknowledged that the incumbent had been doing a good job, but he thought the process should be more transparent.

    I’m sure he used that word at every door. Before long, people were saying how they might vote for the new guy because “he’s interested in transparency.” If you asked anyone what hadn’t been transparent enough, they couldn’t answer (I only tried twice). The incumbent lost. The process hasn’t changed. It seems it was transparent enough all along.

    I hope you have a great week.

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    1. quiall Post author

      That is an excellent example of what I’m talking about! People don’t really know what transparency means they only know that it is a great buzzword. Like so much is overused and under understood. That was a little awkward but you know what I mean.

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  10. bikerchick57

    You are correct, Pam, that sometimes there is far too much transparency. When working, one of the hats I wore was as a public records custodian. Transparency in government can be both good and bad. The good is that the public records law was an attempt to make people accountable for their written words. The bad is that it became a huge time-eating task because everyone and their mother started asking for records which sometimes amounted to thick files of information that had to be reviewed and redacted. In many cases, the information the requesters desired (believing it was something nefarious) was never there and that kept me from more important issues at hand.

    As for celebrities, their private lives should be their private lives, not one open to sneaked photos and reporters digging through their garbage. Yes, they make millions and sometimes are very much the prima donnas, but they still deserve a private life. God will judge what they do in the confines of their homes and outside the spotlight.

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  11. Widdershins

    Yes, yes, YES!!! … one of the things I used to teach, waaay back when, was accepting personal responsibility for the consequences of our actions … and sadly, I came across far too many good people who didn’t have a clue what that meant.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Emilie

    I believe we need transparency—even with sausages.
    I can certainly hose to not look at the information, but I believe it needs to be available to those who want it.
    Regarding privacy, I’m on board! Unless it’s a case of abuse. Then announce it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. dweezer19

    I agree Pam. Just another phrase for the unaware to latch onto and bandy around like a birdie in a badminton game. Not unlike the overuse of “Have a nice day”. Not only too much transparency in personal and commercial arenas but also military. I am aghast at what is revealed on the news. Placement of troops, plans, equipment, ‘secret’ maneuvers. Is this just false fodder for the public? Last time I checked there was plenty of public media in most foreign countries. When everything is transparent it opens the door for everyone watching to have an opinion or prejudice. And the one thing humans have become very poor at is civil discourse. 😞

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