Not a Drop to Drink

            In his book, “Free: The Future of Radical Price,” Chris Anderson personifies information, arguing that it wants to be free, just as “water wants to run downhill.” This view is correct; but the altruistic tonality of the piece lacks mention of capitalist realities and polarization of power versus collective human gain and ideal conditions.

            Information wants to be free because our species constantly, and perhaps inadvertently, shares ideas to the eventual benefit of everyone. Holding to the metaphor of H₂O, polarization from unevenly distributed power affects the grouping of information, hence disrupting a naturally free and steady trickle. Information is instead dammed by those with resources and immediate need, then efficiently delivered amongst consumers for a tax, fee or price. However, water rights assert that the first party on location retains use of that water, without undue constrictions from upstream. The fifty states uphold this law, but elsewhere water is less accessible.

            Most every household in America has running water, and the citizens see it as a right to life rather than an institutionalized membership benefit. In Somalia, on the contrary, OCHA reports less than 30 percent of the population had access to safe drinking water in 2007. People walk miles to drink from stagnant, infected or unsubstantial sources… Much like information. The United States is privileged with having an assurance of information because of domestic springs, resource allocation, bureaucratic distribution, cultural expectations and an open-handed environment. It is estimated by ITU that in 2009 only 1% of Somalians were Internet users, reflecting the harsh ecosystem and hostile infrastructure information must face outside the growing information bubble of developed countries.

            The future of free information then, will continue as it has for centuries. Those within the elite membership of bipolar power will receive information first, fast, facilitated and free*. The other pole will wait, until information happens to rain onto them, springs up from within or slowly leaks into their hands.

The Rights and Responsibilities of Technical Communication

Communication is the fundamental adhesive for all action, interaction and cooperation in society, with technical or professional documentation ensuring a stable form of order. So, writing as a profession requires standards of responsible communication in order to effectively and ethically execute the functions of the position. In his book, “The Anarchical Society,” Hedley Bull suggests three elementary goals for all social affairs: assurance of safety, integrity of word and secure ownership. As a writer, these principles outline the rights of ethical communication.

Assurance of Safety:

Under no circumstances will the writer knowingly distribute incomplete or falsified information that would endanger the physical, mental or emotional safety of the audience.

            All humans have the right to be informed of recognized dangers associated with the use of products, participation in activities or violating law. It is the obligation of the message’s sender to protect this basic right of the audience, and the audience maintains responsibility to verify messages.

            Professionals are often legally liable for the safety of their audience, and usually hire a technical writer to tactfully disclose harmful effects. So, a writer must relay known hazards in order to protect the audience from harm, the employer from legal or monetary loss and himself from personal accountability.

Integrity of Word:

Under no circumstances will the writer knowingly produce technical documents that would deface the employer by supporting unverifiable facts, promising more than the ability to deliver or facilitating counterproductive interaction.

            The audience, the employer and the writer have the right and obligation to honestly assess claims stated by a messenger. The audience relies on the description of workmanship, provided by the expert. It is essential for the expert to reliably supply the audience with precise, thorough and workable documents. Experts employ writers in order to create the most efficient, accurate and well-presented documents for their needs. So, the writer must not violate the terms of his employment by disregarding the importance of honorable communication.

Secure Ownership:

Under no circumstances will the writer knowingly supply documentation that would unjustly withhold or absorb property from any human, as prescribed by law.

            The right to own property without unlawful seizure is uncontestable for the audience, the employer and the writer. Business or governance can require aggressive assumption of resources, and it is critical that authorities observe all applicable law. Technical writers are called on to exact legal communication between the audience and the employer. So, the writer must refer to expertise to protect the audience from exploitation, the employer from legal or monetary loss and himself from unlawful behavior.