
PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS
GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE: PSYWAR - PART 2
In part 1 of our 10 part series, I touched a bit at first on a more archetypal, origin’s story and then showed a few clips from the U.S. Army 4th Psychological Operations Group (4th POG) out of Fort Bragg, and some of its surrounding organizational structure, like the 8th POG, which the 4th now falls under, as I understand.
I also touched a bit on my personal experience providing contract support to the 4th POG, Baghdad, Iraq, 2007-08′. During that time I worked for Maj. Brad Burris, the IIA Chief on the PSYOP program I was providing contract support for. Brad later went on to be the commander of 8th POG. Altogether I spent from 2007-2010 largely supporting contracts under 4th POG, with the exception of a contract I worked for IOTF (Information Operations Task Force) Kabul, providing many of the same IT services.
I respect the sacred oath I swore with my clearance, and have no intentions of violating that. What I speak about is what’s happening right here, right now, in the USA, and I’m not even sure the Army understands what they are doing or the problem. That is what we will continue to explore in Ghosts in the Machine: PSYWAR – Part 2

NARRATIVE WARFARE
Why is misinformation is more important to some than facts? It’s all about IDENTITY & MEANING, and what roles they play in telling the story.
15 Minutes: You want to increase dissonance between the narrative for your adversary, and increase resonance between our friends and those we favor. You need to bring on side together and pull the other apart within the framework of the same story.
20 Minutes: Pathologizing the narrative [victimhood] – Convincing the target they’re a victim. Common recruitment techniques.
35 Minutes: The Meaning Map – the message matters!
38:10 – The MEME’s.
40:00 – Most American’s don’t trust America. That is a statement I agree with, but don’t these PSYOP guys that are known for spreading misinformation and disinformation understand they are part of the problem, as they try to figure out a solution?
47:30 – Counter Messages & Counter Narratives; a bad idea? Offense narrative = putting your own message out instead of theirs. Providing an alternative meaning within your own context is more effective than just saying they are wrong, because there is often enough evidence to support their claims and just countering the message won’t help change their minds. Agree with their narrative, but tell it in a story that shows your way is better for the target.
51:30 – The Outpost
58:00 – “Narratives change over time, much like rivers change their course.”
