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Aerows

(39,961 posts)
Thu Feb 19, 2015, 10:54 PM Feb 2015

Pentagon and others manipulate social media to shape opinion on Security State.

If you ever get the feeling that you are getting a hard sell on the security state, military adventures, the alphabet soup agencies, and everyone in the supply chain that profits off of war, spying, and all of the above, you are.

This has been repeatedly detailed.

Heck, Google Palantir. That will get you started. If you'd rather a sampling, however, here are some.

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2011/07/pentagon-seeks-to-manipulate-social-media-for-propaganda-purposes.html

Cass Sunstein's Nefarious Plans

In case you didn't like the first one

Then there are these types of tactics:

How to disrupt a forum discussion

How about Karl Rove's Guide to Effective Blogging

And on, and on and on.

To preclude the absolute FIRST argument I'm going to get in this thread, I'll refer to the rules of web disruption,

5. Pretend that alternative media – such as blogs written by experts in their fields, without any middleman – are untrustworthy or are motivated solely by money (for example, use the derogatory term “blogspam” for any blog posting, pretending that there is no original or insightful reporting, but that the person is simply doing it for ad revenue).

I didn't link to the intercept, either, but they certainly have a lot of detailed information on this, too - but I figured I'd cut that off at the pass, as it were.

Do you recognize anyone using these tactics? It's similar to Sibelian's how to tell if someone is wasting my time. They are, and doing a lot more.

EDIT: Changed the title to reflect what this was really about.

56 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pentagon and others manipulate social media to shape opinion on Security State. (Original Post) Aerows Feb 2015 OP
here's a link wmws just posted bigtree Feb 2015 #1
But but but Aerows Feb 2015 #2
+1 +1 +1 L0oniX Feb 2015 #30
Thanks, L0onix Aerows Feb 2015 #32
You could play Authoritarian bingo with that around here. /nt Marr Feb 2015 #52
And it's the same actors Aerows Mar 2015 #55
Changed the title Aerows Feb 2015 #3
, blkmusclmachine Feb 2015 #4
Thanks for the kick :) n/t Aerows Feb 2015 #6
Kick- elias49 Feb 2015 #5
Thanks for the kick :) n/t Aerows Feb 2015 #14
I've never read the Karl Rove thing before. octoberlib Feb 2015 #7
Enlightening, isn't it? Aerows Feb 2015 #10
Yes. octoberlib Feb 2015 #11
Thanks OctoberLib. n/t Aerows Feb 2015 #33
I must've read it before, but reading it again - wow! bananas Feb 2015 #45
K&R TheKentuckian Feb 2015 #8
Thanks for the kick :) n/t Aerows Feb 2015 #13
K&R&bookmark JEB Feb 2015 #9
It does, doesn't it? Aerows Feb 2015 #12
We know, but it's always good to post it. nt bemildred Feb 2015 #15
It has gotten so prevelant Aerows Feb 2015 #19
It is so prevalent that it is also obvious. bemildred Feb 2015 #20
That's the thing Aerows Feb 2015 #21
+1000000000 woo me with science Feb 2015 #37
All we can do Aerows Feb 2015 #44
K & R malaise Feb 2015 #16
Thanks malaise Aerows Feb 2015 #27
Oh I recognize many of these tactics! K&R riderinthestorm Feb 2015 #17
It's a bit of a dare. Aerows Feb 2015 #18
Conspicuous in their absence... riderinthestorm Feb 2015 #22
Thanks that was what I needed Aerows Feb 2015 #23
This looks very familiar Ramses Feb 2015 #24
Surprisingly silent Aerows Feb 2015 #42
Nah, see some of my threads that got commented on recently Ramses Feb 2015 #43
K&R woo me with science Feb 2015 #25
Thanks woo :) Aerows Feb 2015 #26
Icy, icy day. woo me with science Feb 2015 #46
You as well my friend! Aerows Feb 2015 #47
this needs constant repetition. It is so easy to be bbgrunt Feb 2015 #28
Thanks for the kick Aerows Feb 2015 #35
I'm always a bit suspicious of "strong Democrats" who are pro mass spying.. Fumesucker Feb 2015 #29
Add 2 and 2 together Aerows Feb 2015 #31
k&r nt bananas Feb 2015 #34
Thank you, bananas n/t Aerows Feb 2015 #41
you know what's the time of day! kick! NuttyFluffers Feb 2015 #36
I do my best Aerows Feb 2015 #38
Undemocratic, for starters. Octafish Feb 2015 #39
It horrifies me Aerows Feb 2015 #40
Un-American. Creepy as Hell. And Legal. Octafish Feb 2015 #49
Great find! 99th_Monkey Feb 2015 #48
One guy demands to know when 1-Percent will own 99-percent of the USA? Octafish Feb 2015 #50
A really important book, if you're inclined, and have the time... elias49 Feb 2015 #51
Thank you Aerows Mar 2015 #54
kick (nt) Electric Monk Mar 2015 #53
It's been noted that G_j Mar 2015 #56
 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
2. But but but
Thu Feb 19, 2015, 11:07 PM
Feb 2015

Tactic #5!!!!

Pretend the source is bad. Smear the source. The source did it for money. The source did it to deflect from all the boxes in his garage, etc.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
55. And it's the same actors
Sun Mar 1, 2015, 06:14 PM
Mar 2015

over and over again.

They aren't here to bring debate, they are here to shut it the hell down if it doesn't meet their PR goals.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
3. Changed the title
Thu Feb 19, 2015, 11:42 PM
Feb 2015

Because this is a REALLY important set of facts to realize during this run up to war and the exposure of the security state and its apparatuses around the world compromising cell phone security by stealing SIM encryption keys.

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)
7. I've never read the Karl Rove thing before.
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 12:25 AM
Feb 2015

Intimidate,demean, insult ,demoralize, attack but never, ever engage a liberal in a well reasoned debate because you'll lose every time.

bananas

(27,509 posts)
45. I must've read it before, but reading it again - wow!
Sun Feb 22, 2015, 03:15 PM
Feb 2015

It describes so many conversations here on DU.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
12. It does, doesn't it?
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 12:48 AM
Feb 2015

Anytime you see someone engaging in these tactics while giving you a hard sell on why you should trust x-y-z or support x-y-z despite logical reasons for questioning x-y-z, that indicates that you REALLY should be questioning x-y-z and the credibility of the person giving you the hard sell.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
19. It has gotten so prevelant
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 06:31 PM
Feb 2015

and there are some things the Security State are really wanting to promote (WAR WAR WAR) and discredit (Oh, yeah, so we infiltrated a company and stole the SIM ID's of millions of phones, maybe even yours so we can decrypt your conversations), so I thought I'd bring it back up in a handy format.

Sibellian did something similar in the "How I know people are wasting my time" thread. I figured I'd just add to the pool of knowledge so folks can know when they are being punked.

An informed opinion requires a person to be informed. When entities make it difficult to be informed by deceiving, disrupting, derailing and discrediting, it's wise to be aware of it.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
20. It is so prevalent that it is also obvious.
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 06:37 PM
Feb 2015

But this is the web, you don't have to talk to anybody you don't want to, and you don't have to listen either. If somebody makes an argument fine, if they just appear to be venting, who gives a shit?

I like it that the "perception managers" have been forced to become more overt and negative. It makes them easier to distinguish and ignore.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
21. That's the thing
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 07:01 PM
Feb 2015

If you apply enough pressure and make enough people aware of the tactics of the perception manager, it makes their job a lot harder, makes them easier to spot, and lessens their effectiveness.

I've always hated these "perception managers" on the web, let's call them what they are - amoral liars that will serve as mouthpieces for anything and everything. No harm in reminding the real people behind the keyboard that these con artists are out there.

 

riderinthestorm

(23,272 posts)
17. Oh I recognize many of these tactics! K&R
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 03:39 PM
Feb 2015

not that you'll get the current DU authoritarian crew to come on this thread so we'll be spared here.



 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
18. It's a bit of a dare.
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 06:21 PM
Feb 2015

I'll admit it. Particularly with the story BigTree Posted - NSA/GHCQ Stole Millions of SIM Card ID's

But hey, we already knew all of this, the sources are bad, it's actually legal now and you need a tin foil hat.

 

Ramses

(721 posts)
43. Nah, see some of my threads that got commented on recently
Sat Feb 21, 2015, 11:05 PM
Feb 2015

I seem to have some a fan that likes to give out false and untrue information here. And gets away with it. Telling.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
26. Thanks woo :)
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 10:23 PM
Feb 2015

I guess everyone is too snowed in to discuss this and the stealing SIM ID story.

Stay warm where ever you are, my friend!

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
47. You as well my friend!
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 06:49 PM
Feb 2015


I know, a late kick, but it has been brought up that the FBI is doing entrapment on a wide scale, and all the same tricks of the trade are being employed by the usual suspects.

I figured I give the folks that know horse shit when they see it either the ammunition to fight back, or a reason to ignore the people that are employing it.

bbgrunt

(5,281 posts)
28. this needs constant repetition. It is so easy to be
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 10:47 PM
Feb 2015

"mentalized" by these techniques that it often happens even when one is aware of the techniques.

I was taught about selling techniques back in the 50's.....but companies still spend huge amounts on commercials because they work. People with political agendas do the same thing.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
35. Thanks for the kick
Sat Feb 21, 2015, 04:19 AM
Feb 2015

and you are absolutely right, it is the same old selling techniques, except they aren't selling us a bogus life insurance plan these days.

Fumesucker

(45,851 posts)
29. I'm always a bit suspicious of "strong Democrats" who are pro mass spying..
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 10:53 PM
Feb 2015

Any Democrat who isn't a naif knows damn well the Republicans are not above using classified spying techniques to dig up dirt on Democrats and will do so at any opportunity.

Why such people would want to hand a Republican administration that sort of power I can't grasp at all.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
31. Add 2 and 2 together
Fri Feb 20, 2015, 11:15 PM
Feb 2015

and if you come up with an answer besides 4, ... you are trying to convince people there are five lights.

NuttyFluffers

(6,811 posts)
36. you know what's the time of day! kick!
Sat Feb 21, 2015, 04:39 AM
Feb 2015

exposure makes the secret 'massage' all the more difficult... such cold hands, so telling.

keep the light shining!

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
39. Undemocratic, for starters.
Sat Feb 21, 2015, 10:24 AM
Feb 2015

When propagandists work for the government in secret, they move discussion toward the irrelevant and the nation toward tyranny.

Thank you for a great OP an thread, Aerows.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
40. It horrifies me
Sat Feb 21, 2015, 04:22 PM
Feb 2015

that government issued propaganda is now legal, Octafish. Did we learn nothing from the early 20th century?

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
49. Un-American. Creepy as Hell. And Legal.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 08:12 PM
Feb 2015

And we pay for it, too; so there is that.



U.S. Repeals Propaganda Ban, Spreads Government-Made News to Americans

BY JOHN HUDSON
Foreign Policy, JULY 14, 2013 - 03:06

For decades, a so-called anti-propaganda law prevented the U.S. government's mammoth broadcasting arm from delivering programming to American audiences. But on July 2, that came silently to an end with the implementation of a new reform passed in January. The result: an unleashing of thousands of hours per week of government-funded radio and TV programs for domestic U.S. consumption in a reform initially criticized as a green light for U.S. domestic propaganda efforts. So what just happened?

Until this month, a vast ocean of U.S. programming produced by the Broadcasting Board of Governors such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks could only be viewed or listened to at broadcast quality in foreign countries. The programming varies in tone and quality, but its breadth is vast: It's viewed in more than 100 countries in 61 languages. The topics covered include human rights abuses in Iran, self-immolation in Tibet, human trafficking across Asia, and on-the-ground reporting in Egypt and Iraq.

The restriction of these broadcasts was due to the Smith-Mundt Act, a long-standing piece of legislation that has been amended numerous times over the years, perhaps most consequentially by Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright. In the 1970s, Fulbright was no friend of VOA and Radio Free Europe, and moved to restrict them from domestic distribution, saying they "should be given the opportunity to take their rightful place in the graveyard of Cold War relics." Fulbright's amendment to Smith-Mundt was bolstered in 1985 by Nebraska Senator Edward Zorinsky, who argued that such "propaganda" should be kept out of America as to distinguish the U.S. "from the Soviet Union where domestic propaganda is a principal government activity."

Zorinsky and Fulbright sold their amendments on sensible rhetoric: American taxpayers shouldn't be funding propaganda for American audiences. So did Congress just tear down the American public's last defense against domestic propaganda?
BBG spokeswoman Lynne Weil insists BBG is not a propaganda outlet, and its flagship services such as VOA "present fair and accurate news."

SNIP...

This partially explains the push to allow BBG broadcasts on local radio stations in the United States. The agency wants to reach diaspora communities, such as St. Paul, Minnesota's significant Somali expat community. "Those people can get al-Shabab, they can get Russia Today, but they couldn't get access to their taxpayer-funded news sources like VOA Somalia," the source said. "It was silly."

CONTINUED w links n sources...

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/07/12/us_backs_off_propaganda_ban_spreads_government_made_news_to_americans



Going by the drums, it sounds like they're herding us toward the great replay.
 

elias49

(4,259 posts)
51. A really important book, if you're inclined, and have the time...
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 08:26 PM
Feb 2015
http://www.amazon.com/PR-A-Social-History-Spin/dp/0465061796

We've been perfecting the art of persuasion for a long, long time!
This book was an eye-opener.


 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
54. Thank you
Sun Mar 1, 2015, 06:12 PM
Mar 2015

I'll pick it up. I absolutely despise the practice of artifice to dupe people into believing and obeying bullcrap.

A person that does that is an operative, not a citizen.

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