an instructive encounter between the forces of secrecy and the forces of openness

[gristy]

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6746#comment-680858

Apart from learning about the practical aspects of coping with this disaster, the world has witnessed an instructive encounter between the forces of secrecy and the forces of openness. BP has reminded us that a corporation uses secrecy and the manipulation of information to protect itself and advance its interests. It does this reflexively, as a standard operating procedure grounded in decades of business practice and management culture.

The lesson that we are all learning is that as the stakes go up for the evironment and the general citizenry, the practice of corporate secrecy becomes increasingly dangerous and unpleasant. At best, even a perfect disaster recovery plan, when shrouded in secrecy, leads to suspicion and unease among the public. At worst, customary corporate secrecy can mask pernicious motives and incompetence.

Clemenceau said that "War is too important to be left to the Generals." In our era, we are learning that the protection of the global environment is too important to be left to secretive and manipulative corporations. The secretive operating practices of multinational energy corporations are at an evolutionary dead end because they enable and aggravate environmental disasters. Continuing the secretive practices of "business as usual" at companies like BP will literally destroy the world. A new balance between private profit and public welfare must be struck, and this balance must favor openness over secrecy.

[smalll]

1. Self-delete -

Wrong thread!

[xchrom]

2. Recommend- I would only add that there isn't much

Difference between government and the corporation.

Oh it's not that the government might not make BP pay --
but it would be as a face saving effort.

[RKP5637]

3. Good point. Over a number of years we've been witnessing/living a merger. n/t