--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An attitudinal sea change. I think that's…" description: "\"An attitudinal sea change. I think that's the hardest one to fix. Presidential directives, bills, provisions can all be rescinded, repealed, amended, b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/ted-gup-21466_attitude_an-attitudinal-sea-change-i-think-that-s_1941573.jpg" --- # An attitudinal sea change. I think that's the hardest one… ![“An attitudinal sea change. I think that's the hardest one to fix. Presidential directives, bills, provisions can all be rescinded, repealed, amended, but attitudes linger. The hardest thing is going to be to try to reverse an attitude, a bunker mentality that equates secrecy with either security…” quote by Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/ted-gup-21466_attitude_an-attitudinal-sea-change-i-think-that-s_1941573.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/ted-gup-21466_attitude_an-attitudinal-sea-change-i-think-that-s_1941573.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/ted-gup-21466_attitude_an-attitudinal-sea-change-i-think-that-s_1941573.jpg) > “An attitudinal sea change. I think that's the hardest one to fix. Presidential directives, bills, provisions can all be rescinded, repealed, amended, but attitudes linger. The hardest thing is going to be to try to reverse an attitude, a bunker mentality that equates secrecy with either security or heightened efficiency and that regards transparency as an invitation to mischief and trespass. This default position of operating in the shadows is going to be somewhat appealing to whomever inherits office.” [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Changing laws is easier than shifting deep‑seated attitudes that favor secrecy over transparency. **In simple terms:** Attitudes resist change more than policies. Key Takeaway Cultivate openness to alter mindsets. Themes government transparency culture Mood cautious reflective Type journalistic analytical When to use this quote - legislative reform - organizational training - public education - media reporting Key Concepts psychology institutional inertia Questions to Reflect On - What incentives can promote transparency? - How do we address fear of exposure? A Different Perspective People may cling to secrecy for perceived safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amended Attitudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amended-attitudes-3097991/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Bills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bills/) [Bunkers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bunkers/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Default](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/default/) [Efficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficiency/) [Fix Presidential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fix-presidential-3097994/) [Hardest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest/) [Hardest thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest-thing/) [Invitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invitations/) [Mentality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentality/) [Mischief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mischief/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Presidential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential/) [Presidential Directives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential-directives-3097992/) [Provision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provision/) [Provisions Rescinded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provisions-rescinded-3097993/) [Regard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regard/) [Repealed Amended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repealed-amended-3097995/) [Reverse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reverse/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Sea change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea-change/) [Secrecy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secrecy/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Transparency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transparency/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/don-t-automatically-obey-presidential-directives-if-you-disagree-or/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [The storm came. Lives were washed away. Ancient pains resurfaced. Now it is time for a sea of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tavis-smiley/the-storm-came-lives-were-washed-away-ancient-pains-resurfaced-now-it/) [Tavis Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tavis-smiley/) > [“What we must do is encourage a sea change in attitude, one that acknowledges that we are a part of the living world, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-earle/what-we-must-do-is-encourage-a-sea-change-in-attitude-one-that/) [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) > [There's 40 or 50 songs that nobody's heard that I've done in between albums. There's a whole evolution from Midnite Vultures to Sea Change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beck/there-s-40-or-50-songs-that-nobody-s-heard-that-i-ve-done-in-between/) [Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beck/) > [“Mankind is nothing more than a parasitic tick gorging himself on temporary plenty while the seas are low and the climate is clement. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-fortey/mankind-is-nothing-more-than-a-parasitic-tick-gorging-himself-on/) [Richard Fortey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-fortey/) > [I wasn't a friendly child. I was reserved and mostly kept to myself. My family tells me they've noticed a sea change in me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shraddha-kapoor/i-wasn-t-a-friendly-child-i-was-reserved-and-mostly-kept-to-myself-my/) [Shraddha Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shraddha-kapoor/) > [There is a giant gulf between doing something and doing nothing. And someone who makes a lolcat and uploads it - even if only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-shirky/there-is-a-giant-gulf-between-doing-something-and-doing-nothing-and/) [Clay Shirky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-shirky/) > [“It's as if I'm afloat in a sea of change. Each piece of wreckage to which I cling has limited buoyancy and soon sinks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-davis/it-s-as-if-i-m-afloat-in-a-sea-of-change-each-piece-of-wreckage-to/) [Ken Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-davis/) > [People are aware that they cannot continue in the same old way but are immobilized because they cannot imagine an alternative. We need a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/people-are-aware-that-they-cannot-continue-in-the-same-old-way-but/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [We were able to conclude a Paris climate agreement, which will lead the way for the rest of the world, which is groundbreaking. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/we-were-able-to-conclude-a-paris-climate-agreement-which-will-lead/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [There're been sort of a sea change in my work in general, in that the more personal, the universal it's become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marti-noxon/there-re-been-sort-of-a-sea-change-in-my-work-in-general-in-that-the/) [Marti Noxon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marti-noxon/) > [“This is not a small matter. According to a recent poll conducted by the Freedom Forum, a liberal foundation in Tennessee, 89 percent of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-horowitz/this-is-not-a-small-matter-according-to-a-recent-poll-conducted-by/) [David Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-horowitz/) > [Hope for a great sea-change timid to rebuke and too petty to forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seamus-heaney/hope-for-a-great-sea-change-timid-to-rebuke-and-too-petty-to-forgive/) [Seamus Heaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seamus-heaney/) > [Do not dwell on something lest our original intention undergoesa sea change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/do-not-dwell-on-something-lest-our-original-intention-undergoesa-sea/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/nothing-of-him-that-doth-fade-but-doth-suffer-a-sea-change-into/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## More by Ted Gup > [Whistleblowers is another aspect that needs to be addressed. We have to restore the protections of whistleblowers and also the encouragement and rewards. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/whistleblowers-is-another-aspect-that-needs-to-be-addressed-we-have/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [The press is going to have to learn anew that it's possible to work in an environment that is not so toxic and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/the-press-is-going-to-have-to-learn-anew-that-it-s-possible-to-work/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [If all these guys think that nothing is going to come out for 100 years, they're going to act a whole lot more boldly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/if-all-these-guys-think-that-nothing-is-going-to-come-out-for-100/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [It will be important to restore those provisions, those disclose provisions, those release provisions so that presidents are indeed held accountable and their information…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/it-will-be-important-to-restore-those-provisions-those-disclose/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [And fourthly there is a major shift in public opinion and attitude to accommodate to the post-9/11 mentality and the Bush administration's penchant for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/and-fourthly-there-is-a-major-shift-in-public-opinion-and-attitude-to/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [You have tens, hundreds of thousands of people in government, and just as many among contractors, who feel totally comfortable writing at the top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/you-have-tens-hundreds-of-thousands-of-people-in-government-and-just/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [One of the principal factors fueling the proliferation of the abuse of secrecy and sensitive but unclassifieds is the administration's adherence to the unitary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/one-of-the-principal-factors-fueling-the-proliferation-of-the-abuse/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [I don't think the question is if should we have a shield law. I think the question is what kind of shield law we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/i-don-t-think-the-question-is-if-should-we-have-a-shield-law-i-think/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [I love the idea of a shield law; I don't know of any journalist who doesn't love the idea of a shield law. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/i-love-the-idea-of-a-shield-law-i-don-t-know-of-any-journalist-who/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [The level of trust is extraordinarily low and the level of suspicion extraordinarily high, and with good reason and on both sides. The press…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/the-level-of-trust-is-extraordinarily-low-and-the-level-of-suspicion/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [If you are a reporter trying to find out what the hell's going on in government now, you have a devilish time. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/if-you-are-a-reporter-trying-to-find-out-what-the-hell-s-going-on-in/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [There's no faster way or surer way to consolidate power and disenfranchise critics than to operate in secret. So this plays squarely into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/there-s-no-faster-way-or-surer-way-to-consolidate-power-and/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [“He was a simple honest man. He never strayed, He never drank, he never smoked, and he never kissed a maid. And when he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/he-was-a-simple-honest-man-he-never-strayed-he-never-drank-he-never/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [Every effort is made to control information. Secrecy is just one of the toggles on their control board. The mindset is in place, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/every-effort-is-made-to-control-information-secrecy-is-just-one-of/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [When you get new people in, you're going to have a breath of fresh air and there's going to be a window when people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/when-you-get-new-people-in-you-re-going-to-have-a-breath-of-fresh-air/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) [Explore all 29 Ted Gup quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An attitudinal sea change. I think that's the hardest one to fix. Presidential directives, bills, provisions can all be rescinded, repealed, amended, but attitudes linger. 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