Women in STEM Bookclub: The Transparency Society

Copies of this book can be hard to get a hold of. Please reach out to the organizers after sign-up if you have trouble getting a copy of the book!

This book club is for women in STEM to explore workplace related themes that are centered on women, STEM, philosophy and leadership. Through these book explorations we share experiences, exchange new ideas, and empower each other through friendly conversation and community.

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The Transparency Society by Byung-Chul Han

Transparency is the order of the day. It is a term, a slogan, that dominates public discourse about corruption and freedom of information. Considered crucial to democracy, it touches our political and economic lives as well as our private lives. Anyone can obtain information about anything. Everything—and everyone—has become transparent: unveiled or exposed by the apparatuses that exert a kind of collective control over the post-capitalist world.

Yet, transparency has a dark side that, ironically, has everything to do with a lack of mystery, shadow, and nuance. Behind the apparent accessibility of knowledge lies the disappearance of privacy, homogenization, and the collapse of trust. The anxiety to accumulate ever more information does not necessarily produce more knowledge or faith. Technology creates the illusion of total containment and the constant monitoring of information, but what we lack is adequate interpretation of the information. In this manifesto, Byung-Chul Han denounces transparency as a false ideal, the strongest and most pernicious of our contemporary mythologies. (source)

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Whether you love or hate the book, read one chapter, or happened across this description and found yourself interested, come join us for coffee and conversation!
Feel free to reach out for any questions.

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What is the $5 fee for?
For over two years, we've been organizing free events for all members, and we're grateful for your active participation. The $5 fee helps us continue what we do—bringing incredible women together and sparking meaningful connections. These funds cover essential costs like the Meetup organizer fee ($130/year) and website maintenance. Any extra contributions will go toward our annual NYC Women in STEM Networking Event, coming up in fall 2025.

Sincerely,
Jenny & Daniela