p. 115
Crust: "But then each generation's got to have a cause, right? ...Our's was ending secrecy. It's why we fought the bankers and the bureaucrats and mobsters, and all the damned socialists to bring everything out into the open, once and for all, to stop all the underlying dealing and giga-cheating."
Status: Open
The oldtimer 'geek' quoted above is talking about the background to the HelvetianWar. An event that is referred to several times in the novel, and appears to have been every bit as traumatic as the current Middle East situation. The outcome was successful, and strict (possibly too strict?) curbs on secrecy and privacy were instituted.
Reality:
Since writing 'Earth', Brin has expanded on this theme and the social issues involved in The Transparent Society. The general thesis is that technology is rapidly making privacy a thing of the past and that the best way to deal with it is to embrace it: watching the watchers.
In recent times, Brin has made repeated references to the current US administration's love of secrecy, even going so far as to claim that its agenda is the biggest threat to democracy the US has ever faced.
In 1989 the idea of fighting a full on war with Switzerland to 'open the books' seemed a bit ridiculous. Sixteen years on, while the scenario still remains incredible, the objective of 'opening the books' looks more and more desirable.
Especially as it seems 'Helvetian' powers are being preemptive.
References:
Under construction (Guess what my next priority is;-)
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