Symmetries and asymmetries of information don't exist in a vacuum. They are often caused by, and in turn cause, symmetries and asymmetries of power [1]. Greate

Symmetries and asymmetries of information don't exist in a vacuum. They are often caused by, and in turn cause, symmetries and asymmetries of power [1]. Greater symmetry of some types of information may lead to greater asymmetry of power in the long term, and vice versa. And it's the latter, not the former, that we should be ultimately concerned about. For example, if everyone knows where everyone else is, there's symmetry of location information. But since this symmetry doesn't exist in a vacuum but in the real world of three-letter agencies that already wield a lot of arbitrary power IRL, it results in an even greater asymmetry of power where most people feel powerless against the all-powerful eyes of the three-letter agencies. On the other hand, if ordinary citizens can tell who the defense contractors are playing golf with, but the DoD doesn't know who we're talking to online, there's an asymmetry of information. But since we live in a world where a large asymmetry of power already exists between the DoD and ordinary citizens, this asymmetry of information actually helps counteract the existing asymmetry of power. The result is more symmetry of power, in the form of better accountability. Increasing symmetry of information without regard for the overall balance of power is the kind of "transparency" that Mark Zuckerberg promotes. Increasing symmetry of information that actually help increase symmetry of power is what whistleblowers try to do, and that's the kind of "transparency" that I want to see more of. [1] Yes, knowledge is power, and France is bacon. But information is not knowledge, at least not directly, and there are also other kinds of power. It takes more than mere possession of raw information to wield power effectively IRL.