Tribulations of Transparency

ONE of the buzzwords of the 21st century attached to other buzzwords like 'democracy,' 'progressive thinking' and 'participatory' is 'transparency.' Being transparent is not only sexy -- and we are not talking of one's attire by the way -- it is also the only way the public will trust you, if you are in any position of authority, that is. This is why Transparency International provides us with information on all the non-transparent activities of public officials and the institutions they are part of; little things like women in rural areas paying bribes to police and court officials between Tk. 300 to Tk. 40,000 at different stages of the cases they file for acts of violence on them; or giving pay offs to officials to receive maternity benefits and stipends. 

Of course such endeavours have made organisations like TI -- the enemy governments 'love to hate' because these precious nuggets of information invariably put them in embarrassing positions -- a bit like suddenly realising, in a milad mehfil, that your Punjabi is way too see-through for decent company. 

Following this principle of letting the world see you for what you are -- warts and all -- many organisations have adopted this strategy of having open, airy offices with glass all around for everyone to see. This includes office rooms that are surrounded by crystal clear glass – hence they are completely transparent. While having one's own office room is clearly a privilege, when it is a glass box, one may feel, at least at the beginning, like a member of a mutant species -- like those half-human, half-porcine creatures in the local zoo, reported by tabloids of negligible credibility, that the public are dying to come and see. 

One of the biggest adjustments to being in a transparent cell, sorry, room, is that you must always sit straight, not slouch around like you did in your erstwhile hidden corner where you could collect all kinds of debris around you and even snatch a snooze or two. You can't, moreover, lean back into your flexi chair and check on Facebook updates. No, you have to look busy all the time. More importantly you must adopt a kind of ascetic -- I don't give a hoot whether anyone is looking at me -- attitude. This means making no eye contact whatsoever with people who may or may not be looking at you as they walk past by. It means no scratching your head in front of a blank screen, no retouching lipstick or powdering that impossibly shiny nose. It also requires that you do not spill half the contents of the water bottle on your person when you are trying to elegantly get a sip.

Yes it does make you self conscious, these glass walls. So much so that you are very careful when you throw that piece of tissue into the bin; if you miss, it is sheer mortification because surely there must be a pair of eyes or worse, pairs of eyes, watching your pathetic non- athletic moves, no doubt silently giggling their heads off.

Being in a transparent room also means that you can be seen from all angles. Which is why you must do a reconnaissance of the various views of your room from different strategic points. Take the boss's room or the routes that he normally takes around the floor. What would he see? A calm, composed, presentable looking employee working serenely on her computer -- or, a disheveled mad woman who has entered the 'Owner of the Untidiest Desk Award' contest? Are the mugs, clay mongooses, bottles of water, post ids, head phones, tissue box, calendar, newspapers, files placed in a semi-aesthetic arrangement? Or is that little jute monkey looking a little out of place with the ceramic mug that mockingly says: Keep Calm and Carry On?

Yes transparency is a seductive yet tricky concept. It makes you regret not having brushed your hair in the morning or for inadvertently screaming out an expletive when the mouse closes down your document before you have saved your Pullitzer Prize winning piece. It makes you hold your sneeze till you are safe in the comfort of the restroom and compels you to resist the urge to do Jim Carrey/ Khan Jainul/Peter Sellers (whatever is relatable to your generation) impersonations just to make sure your facial muscles are alive. Basically it stops you from doing silly things, especially those you wouldn't want the public to know about. It obliges you to at least try to show yourself at your best. No wonder governments get all antsy when they are asked to be a little more transparent.

The writer is Deputy Editor, Op-Ed and Editorial, The Daily Star.