A recent discussion on government transparency and accountability has highlighted the complex balance between public oversight and personal motivation. While transparency is often seen as inherently positive, it can conflict with the need for individuals to act based on intrinsic motivation rather than external pressures. The debate suggests that both transparency and privacy have their merits, depending on the context. Programmable cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are emerging as tools that can help navigate this balance. These technologies offer a way to enhance transparency where needed while maintaining privacy in other areas, potentially improving accountability to the public while reducing exposure to corporate or foreign influences.