Kosmopolito

The media is all over wikileaks and cablegate. But, as usual, they might miss an important part of the story. There seems little understanding about what exactly wikileaks stands for and where it comes from. A good start is to read Julian Assange’s archived blog “Interesting Questions” which he wrote between 2006-2007.

If you want to understand Julian Assange I recommend to read his essay “conspiracy as governance” in which he explains his world-view and provides some sort of  philosophical underpinnings for wikileaks.

For example, Assange writes about the non linear effects of leaks on unjust systems of governance:

The more secretive or unjust an organization is, the more leaks induce fear and paranoia in its leadership and planning coterie. This must result in minimization of efficient internal communications mechanisms (an increase in cognitive “secrecy tax”) and consequent system-wide cognitive decline resulting in decreased ability to hold onto power as the environment demands adaption.

Hence in a world where leaking is easy, secretive or unjust systems are nonlinearly hit relative to open, just systems. Since unjust systems, by their nature induce opponents, and in many places barely have the upper hand, mass leaking leaves them exquisitely vulnerable to those who seek to replace them with more open forms of  governance.

Only revealed injustice can be answered; for man to do anything intelligent he has to know what’s actually going on.

The media is all over wikileaks and cablegate. But, as usual, they might miss an important part of the story. There seems little understanding about what exactly wikileaks stands for...