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OnyxCollie

(9,958 posts)
54. There's a formula, alright.
Sat Jun 29, 2013, 11:02 AM
Jun 2013

INTERESTING! "COINTELPRO Techniques for dilution, misdirection and control of a internet forum"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=125x281170

"There are several techniques for the control and manipulation of a internet forum no matter what, or who is on it. We will go over each technique and demonstrate that only a minimal number of operatives can be used to eventually and effectively gain a control of a 'uncontrolled forum.'

Technique #1 - 'FORUM SLIDING'
If a very sensitive posting of a critical nature has been posted on a forum - it can be quickly removed from public view by 'forum sliding.' In this technique a number of unrelated posts are quietly prepositioned on the forum and allowed to 'age.' Each of these misdirectional forum postings can then be called upon at will to trigger a 'forum slide.' The second requirement is that several fake accounts exist, which can be called upon, to ensure that this technique is not exposed to the public. To trigger a 'forum slide' and 'flush' the critical post out of public view it is simply a matter of logging into each account both real and fake and then 'replying' to prepositined postings with a simple 1 or 2 line comment. This brings the unrelated postings to the top of the forum list, and the critical posting 'slides' down the front page, and quickly out of public view. Although it is difficult or impossible to censor the posting it is now lost in a sea of unrelated and unuseful postings. By this means it becomes effective to keep the readers of the forum reading unrelated and non-issue items.

Technique #2 - 'CONSENSUS CRACKING'
A second highly effective technique (which you can see in operation all the time at www.abovetopsecret.com ) is 'consensus cracking.' To develop a consensus crack, the following technique is used. Under the guise of a fake account a posting is made which looks legitimate and is towards the truth is made - but the critical point is that it has a VERY WEAK PREMISE without substantive proof to back the posting. Once this is done then under alternative fake accounts a very strong position in your favour is slowly introduced over the life of the posting. It is IMPERATIVE that both sides are initially presented, so the uninformed reader cannot determine which side is the truth. As postings and replies are made the stronger 'evidence' or disinformation in your favour is slowly 'seeded in.' Thus the uninformed reader will most like develop the same position as you, and if their position is against you their opposition to your posting will be most likely dropped. However in some cases where the forum members are highly educated and can counter your disinformation with real facts and linked postings, you can then 'abort' the consensus cracking by initiating a 'forum slide.'

Technique #3 - 'TOPIC DILUTION'
Topic dilution is not only effective in forum sliding it is also very useful in keeping the forum readers on unrelated and non-productive issues. This is a critical and useful technique to cause a 'RESOURCE BURN.' By implementing continual and non-related postings that distract and disrupt (trolling ) the forum readers they are more effectively stopped from anything of any real productivity. If the intensity of gradual dilution is intense enough, the readers will effectively stop researching and simply slip into a 'gossip mode.' In this state they can be more easily misdirected away from facts towards uninformed conjecture and opinion. The less informed they are the more effective and easy it becomes to control the entire group in the direction that you would desire the group to go in. It must be stressed that a proper assessment of the psychological capabilities and levels of education is first determined of the group to determine at what level to 'drive in the wedge.' By being too far off topic too quickly it may trigger censorship by a forum moderator.

Technique #4 - 'INFORMATION COLLECTION'
Information collection is also a very effective method to determine the psychological level of the forum members, and to gather intelligence that can be used against them. In this technique in a light and positive environment a 'show you mine so me yours' posting is initiated. From the number of replies and the answers that are provided much statistical information can be gathered. An example is to post your 'favourite weapon' and then encourage other members of the forum to showcase what they have. In this matter it can be determined by reverse proration what percentage of the forum community owns a firearm, and or a illegal weapon. This same method can be used by posing as one of the form members and posting your favourite 'technique of operation.' From the replies various methods that the group utilizes can be studied and effective methods developed to stop them from their activities.

Technique #5 - 'ANGER TROLLING'
Statistically, there is always a percentage of the forum posters who are more inclined to violence. In order to determine who these individuals are, it is a requirement to present a image to the forum to deliberately incite a strong psychological reaction. From this the most violent in the group can be effectively singled out for reverse IP location and possibly local enforcement tracking. To accomplish this only requires posting a link to a video depicting a local police officer massively abusing his power against a very innocent individual. Statistically of the million or so police officers in America there is always one or two being caught abusing there powers and the taping of the activity can be then used for intelligence gathering purposes - without the requirement to 'stage' a fake abuse video. This method is extremely effective, and the more so the more abusive the video can be made to look. Sometimes it is useful to 'lead' the forum by replying to your own posting with your own statement of violent intent, and that you 'do not care what the authorities think!!' inflammation. By doing this and showing no fear it may be more effective in getting the more silent and self-disciplined violent intent members of the forum to slip and post their real intentions. This can be used later in a court of law during prosecution.

Technique #6 - 'GAINING FULL CONTROL'
It is important to also be harvesting and continually maneuvering for a forum moderator position. Once this position is obtained, the forum can then be effectively and quietly controlled by deleting unfavourable postings - and one can eventually steer the forum into complete failure and lack of interest by the general public. This is the 'ultimate victory' as the forum is no longer participated with by the general public and no longer useful in maintaining their freedoms. Depending on the level of control you can obtain, you can deliberately steer a forum into defeat by censoring postings, deleting memberships, flooding, and or accidentally taking the forum offline. By this method the forum can be quickly killed. However it is not always in the interest to kill a forum as it can be converted into a 'honey pot' gathering center to collect and misdirect newcomers and from this point be completely used for your control for your agenda purposes."

Kick Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #1
Kick Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #2
the enhanced provision authorizing unlimited indefinite surveillance ... Catherina Jun 2013 #3
i just want to take this moment to say: galileoreloaded Jun 2013 #4
And the Corporatocracy Loves You! marions ghost Jun 2013 #20
This shouldn't sink -- Hell Hath No Fury Jun 2013 #5
I agree. We must keep this one kicked. liberal_at_heart Jun 2013 #7
Kick Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #6
K&R Hell Hath No Fury Jun 2013 #8
kick liberal_at_heart Jun 2013 #9
Kick Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #10
kick (nt) scarletwoman Jun 2013 #11
A year from now, after it's been signed and activated, people will be screaming about it. Why not Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #12
We have also posted regarding the NSA gathering data on all Americans siligut Jun 2013 #14
All I know how to do is point at bullshit and shout about it to alert others. Some choose to Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #16
There's a formula, alright. OnyxCollie Jun 2013 #54
You are my new favorite poster siligut Jun 2013 #56
It's already been an OP. OnyxCollie Jun 2013 #60
Are you referring to the OP on DU2 that you linked to? siligut Jun 2013 #61
The story needs visibility first. I don't think most people know about it. avaistheone1 Jun 2013 #19
+1. and they lie. 'they can't get your phone conversations without a warrant from a court'. HiPointDem Jun 2013 #27
I'm for screaming now marions ghost Jun 2013 #45
A year from now, people will be screaming It's YOUR fault! kenny blankenship Jun 2013 #58
No, a year from now, they will be saying "THis is old news!1!1 Blargh!" morningfog Jun 2013 #59
This conversation must be started. Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #13
Kick Gin Jun 2013 #15
Kick rusty fender Jun 2013 #17
K&R'd & bookmarked! snot Jun 2013 #18
We need to mobilize against this crap. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #21
It never, ever stops! TheKentuckian Jun 2013 #22
And we thought all those Bush 'laws' were going to go away after 2008. sabrina 1 Jun 2013 #23
That is the best question. n/t Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #24
Snowden indicated that he thought Obama would stop it siligut Jun 2013 #55
Kick Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #25
kr HiPointDem Jun 2013 #26
I wish there was a politician brave enough Democracyinkind Jun 2013 #28
what's gwot? HiPointDem Jun 2013 #32
GWOT. Democracyinkind Jun 2013 #33
thanks. HiPointDem Jun 2013 #34
You forgot "Perpetual" 99th_Monkey Jun 2013 #42
kick MotherPetrie Jun 2013 #29
K&R! Poll_Blind Jun 2013 #30
... AzDar Jun 2013 #31
Imperative kick Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #35
k HiPointDem Jun 2013 #36
The House has just passed it; link in the OP. Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #37
This is just the kind of "big government" we DON'T need any more of. 99th_Monkey Jun 2013 #38
Yep. And the surveillance state budget is something around $1 trillion a year, with about Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #39
Does that count the Pentagon's black-hole budget? 99th_Monkey Jun 2013 #41
KICK!!!!!!! nt newfie11 Jun 2013 #40
I for one do not welcome our new indefinite surveillance overlords. It passed the House! n/t Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #43
kick n/t RainDog Jun 2013 #44
k&r warrprayer Jun 2013 #46
This is important. woo me with science Jun 2013 #47
Kick. Important. woo me with science Jun 2013 #48
K+R sibelian Jun 2013 #49
K&R Blue_In_AK Jun 2013 #50
kick grasswire Jun 2013 #51
kick woo me with science Jun 2013 #52
K&R LuvNewcastle Jun 2013 #53
K&R ohheckyeah Jun 2013 #57
Kick Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #62
All Americans need to know this. The hole is being dug ever deeper. n/t Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #63
kick woo me with science Jul 2013 #64
kick woo me with science Jul 2013 #65
Military Industrial Protection Act Octafish Jul 2013 #66
kick liberal_at_heart Jul 2013 #67
I hate fascists Oilwellian Jul 2013 #68
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