Question: when is a paper not a paper? Answer: when it’s a non-paper.
You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you? Well, today I went to a meeting where reference was made to a non-paper which was a new concept to me. Don’t believe me?
Well, this document was issued recently by the British Government’s Department of Culture, Media & Sport and it is entitled “UK Non-Paper Review of the Electronic Communications Regulatory Framework”. You can access it here. Now, do you believe me?
Apparently the notion of a non-paper is a European thing. I think it’s a paper which contains preliminary views that may change.
It’s an interesting concept which could have wider application. Consider the idea of a non-conversation, a non-meeting, a non-decision. Actually I’ve come across a few of those.