Characteristics Quote by Noam Chomsky
“Should we even have the classification system? Why shouldn't these things be open? There are things you want to keep secret, like the characteristics of your latest fighter plane or something like that.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Public Radio, 2015
The quote questions the necessity of classification systems and argues for openness, while acknowledging legitimate secrets.
In simple terms: We should question classification and favor openness, but some secrets are necessary.
Key Takeaway
Balance transparency with legitimate secrecy.
Themes
knowledge
transparency
security
ethics
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- corporate data handling
- military confidentiality
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Information theory
privacy
government secrecy
Questions to Reflect On
- What information truly needs to stay secret?
- How can we protect privacy while sharing knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Too much openness can endanger safety.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
