Transparency Decorum
Dwight Johnson
Semi Retired at Dwight Johnson Author, Creation Science and Biblical Archeology Ministry
In today’s society we hear the word transparency being used by many to complain or to say that they will restructure an organization that will have transparency. So what is transparency? There are many different meanings but they all go back to the word transparent which means - having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that the bodies lying beyond are entirely visible. Or this meaning of transparent - free from pretense or deceit.
Most people use transparency to mean that all will be exposed and that everyone will understand what has happened or what will happen in the future. In some of the books on transparency such as: The Transparency Society by Byung-Chul Han, The Transparency Edge by Barbara Pagano and Elizabeth Pagano, and The Naked Corporation by Don Tapscott and David Ticoll, we see many words being used such as disclosure, information, communication, honesty, credibility, secrets, and trust.
I would like to propose that we take up what I call the Transparency Decorum. Decorum is used in this matter:
D - disclosure
E - ethical
C - credibility
O - orientation
R - relationships
U - upright
M - messaging
When we look at these words we can see that if we apply these seven words that transparency will occur within an organization and that the organization will then trust the people that they are trying to be transparent with. If any of the seven words are violated then the transparency will begin to fog up like Golden Gate Bridge is known for. If all the words are violated then we see a solid wall that no one can see through.
In R. E. Oliver’s book What is Transparency? He gives us a spiral diagram that starts out with a clear picture then a disruptive occurrence which leads to an emphatic denial and the spiral leads downward towards public castigation. This spiral is called the Opacity Spiral and this is a dangerous path to take.
In our society are we on that Opacity Spiral? Be careful about using the word ‘Transparency’ as it could lead to public castigation. Please use the Transparency Decorum and treat people with trust so that they will understand.