Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c991IR // #c991Synthesis

Dulles ran his Bern station in the open: no bodyguard, no gun, informers met in cafés. His own maxim: “Too much secrecy can be self-defeating.” When everyone can see you, nobody believes you are hiding anything.

— In our words · Source: The Devil's Chessboard (David Talbot)

[Use when]

Scrutiny is highest and secrecy would confirm suspicion. Be boring in public.

[Why it matters]

Visibility is cover that compounds. The more public the operator, the less credible any accusation against him.

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