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Failed Attempts
Neutrality and the Discipline of Information
What does it mean to be
neutral?
Oxford English Dictionary definition:
orig. Sc. Esp. of persons: not taking sides in a
controversy, dispute, disagreement, etc.; not inclining
toward any party, view, etc.; impartial, unbiased.
Exciting no emotional response; provoking no strong
reaction; innocuous, inoffensive.
Neutrality definition:
an intermediate state or condition, not clearly one
thing or another; a neutral position, middle ground.
Discipline
…increases the forces of the body (in economic
terms of utility) and diminishes these same
forces (in political terms of obedience). In
short, it dissociates power from the body; on
the one hand, it turns it into an ‘aptitude’, a
‘capacity’ which it seeks to increase; on the
other hand, it reverses the course of the energy,
the power that might result from it, and turns
it into a relation of strict subjection.
Discipline and Punish, p. 138
Neutralizing Inconveniences
The aim is to derive the maximum advantages and to
neutralize the inconveniences (thefts, interruptions of
work, disturbances and ‘cabals’), as the forces of
production become more concentrated; to protect
materials and tools and to master the labour force:
‘The order and inspection that must be maintained
require that all workers be assembled under the same
roof, so that the partner who is entrusted with the
management of the manufactory may prevent and
remedy abuses that may arise among the workers and
arrest their progress at the outset’
Discipline and Punish, p. 142-143
So why neutrality?
To not offend/impose viewpoints
Pluralism/inclusivity
Appeal to more people/reach the masses
For the sake of peace, avoiding factions and
divisions
Why not neutrality?
Wishy-washy; can’t take an ethical
stance
Can’t be as productive
There may be a higher ethical principle
to uphold
ALA Code of Ethics
VI. We do not advance private interests at the
expense of library users, colleagues, or our
employing institutions.
VII. We distinguish between our personal
convictions and professional duties and do
not allow our personal beliefs to interfere
with fair representation of the aims of our
institutions or the provision of access to their
information resources.
IFLA Code of Ethics
5. Neutrality, personal integrity and professional skills
Librarians and other information workers are strictly
committed to neutrality and an unbiased stance
regarding collection, access and service. Neutrality
results in the most balanced collection and the most
balanced access to information achievable.
Is neutrality even possible?
According to UNESCO, Libraries, and Wikipedia, yes.
According to the Church, no.
Peer Review is “neutral” on this issue (no opinion).
Why is neutrality not possible?
Language resists it, especially loaded/politicallycharged phrases or words, which are inherently biased
and non-neutral.
“White Privilege”
Classification means making a decision/taking a
position/excluding other possibilities. (Example of
UNESCO.)
Why is neutrality not possible?
Personal Ethics versus Professional Ethics
Can we reconcile differing moral standpoints?
Why is neutrality not possible?
Libraries resist neutrality
Historically known to ingrain moral standards of
“punctilious habits, and respectable values—punctuality,
hard work, thrift, self-control.”
Architecture and layout
Policies
A paradox: Representing all (neutrality) requires
taking a moral high ground which means taking a
particular position—which by definition is not neutral.
If not neutrality, then what?
Should we take a stand?
Should libraries be involved in activism?
Are we losing the benefits of productive discipline by
the current paradigm shift to the library as a “neutral”
and comfortable “third place?”