American intelligence and military agencies have a huge footprint in terms of how the world works, but they're largely invisible. I'm interested in exploring those 'geographies' of secrecy from many different angles: political, legal, economic, spatial, etc., because I am fundamentally just interested in how the world works and how societies work.

In this quote, Trevor Paglen reflects on the significant but often hidden influence of American intelligence and military agencies on global affairs. He notes that while these agencies have a vast footprint in shaping how the world functions, their actions are largely invisible to the public eye. This invisibility is a key feature of the work done by intelligence and military agencies, as their operations are typically secretive, often carried out without public knowledge or accountability.

Paglen expresses a desire to explore the "geographies of secrecy" from multiple perspectives, including the political, legal, economic, and spatial dimensions. By doing so, he aims to uncover the hidden mechanisms of power that shape global events and influence societies. His interest lies in understanding the complex networks and systems that govern the world, particularly the ways in which secretive operations affect national and international relations.

The quote reveals Paglen's broader interest in how societies function and how power dynamics are maintained, especially when they operate outside the realm of public awareness. He is driven by a curiosity about the systems that are rarely discussed but have a profound impact on society. Through his work, Paglen aims to illuminate these hidden forces and offer a clearer picture of the global systems that govern everything from politics to economics.

Ultimately, Paglen’s statement underscores his commitment to unveiling the hidden structures of power that shape the world. His exploration of these invisible geographies seeks to shed light on how intelligence and military agencies, despite their secrecy, play a critical role in shaping both domestic and global societal landscapes.