How to disappear: Notes on invisibility in an age of transparency

Akiko Busch’s How to Disappear: Notes on Invisibility in an Age of Transparency reflects on the meaning of invisibility through a series of essays on technology, nature, society, and ethics. While reflecting on the difference between immoral secrecy and character-cultivating modesty, she writes that not posting everything on Facebook reminds us how unimportant we are. Her ponderings made me realize I treasure modesty in leadership, organizations, and networks and left me wondering how to express that value in the places where I have influence.  Perhaps part of the democratization of power in the time in which we live means an unprecedented level of sharing and posting, but Busch’s reflections at least give us pause to consider what should be shared and what maybe shouldn’t.