Sneaky messages: murmurs between the lines

Abstract

The text reflects on the paradox implicit in the encoded letters. This inconsistency is a consequence of the problem of the opening of writing, that is, of the impossibility of writing to discriminate against its readers: a text is exposed to all viewers.

The paradox is greater when the writing has a concrete and determined addressee: the intention, the need to exclude from reading the text all those who are considered inappropriate forces the sender to face the following problem: How to write a text that discriminates, that "chooses" the right receiver?

Reflection on this topic is oriented by exposing and analyzing examples in which maintaining secrecy is a matter of life or death: failing to codify the writing can lead the sender to death, jail or exile. The indiscreet opening of the text becomes the central problem when analyzing communication practices, in the context of organizations that make the secret basis of their own existence.