The Pentagon Leaker
Why Jack Teixeira's story showcases an American desire to engage in attention-seeking behaviors
Jack Teixeira leaked hundreds of classified documents onto a Discord server over a period of five months. These documents showcased information about the Ukraine war, America’s relationship with foreign powers, and the backroom machinations of key allies (South Korea, Israel, and Egypt). Leaks of government documentation are not uncommon in American history. Edward Snowden, Wikileaks, and others are examples of individuals and organizations who reveal the inner workings of American government. Motives can vary, yet each of these leakers provides the American people with information. Information that we may otherwise not be privy to.
Teixeira is a unique case into how motivations are changing when it comes to leaking government secrets. Teixeira didn’t leak these documents in order to proclaim moral superiority or to pursue a cause higher than himself. Instead, he focused on leaking these documents for clout within his Internet community.
To me, this is uniquely American and indicative of broader sentiments amongst our increasingly Internet-focused culture. We, as Americans, tend to be obsessed with ourselves and our prestige. We look for ways to showcase our value and worth to those around us. This can take the form of posting our vacations to the world, or labeling ourselves as ‘independent’ in political affairs in order to prove that we are ‘nuanced’ and ‘independently minded’ (something I am guilty of). Teixeira is a prime example of an individual attempting to showcase how important and influential he was, even to the point of posting documentation illegally.
I am not concerned with the leaks themselves. Personally, I find them entertaining and helpful in discerning how I should vote in upcoming elections. However, I am concerned about the growing desire for individuals to prove themselves by going to extreme or illegal lengths. Motives behind these actions matter, and they reveal insights into how we are progressing as a culture. I would much rather have leakers who believe in showcasing American corruption or desire to inspire positive change in a broken system. Instead, we increasingly have individuals who pursue fame and attention for attentions sake.
Our goal should be to push against attention-seeking and ego-boosting behavior. Instead, we should be encouraging individuals to display humility and honor in all aspects of their lives. These leaks have inspired me to consider the actions that I take on a daily basis. Do I attempt to boost my own accomplishments within my own community, or do I seek to showcase humility with what I have accomplished? I am thankful for Teixeria because he brought these questions to the forefront of my mind and made me reconsider how I represent myself to others. Hopefully, this news story can do the same for you.