In psychological operations (psyops), the way a task is set not only prescribes the actions but also predisposes the outcomes.
When formulating a task, the language and framing determine the course of reasoning and predefine the research’s results. For instance, the directive to “shut up that blogger” suggests implementing measures to silence a particular opinion leader on social networks, thereby preventing the dissemination of information that could negatively impact the target audience.
However, the true objective isn’t merely to silence but to shield the audience from detrimental influences. By rephrasing the task to emphasize protection rather than suppression, the scope of potential actions broadens, enhancing the likelihood of successfully achieving the intended outcomes.
Consider the task of silencing a dissenting blogger, which could be approached through several direct interventions:
- Various methods of account blocking;
- Any form of account management interception;
- Persuading the blogger to cease publishing controversial content.
However, adopting the goal of “protecting the audience from the pernicious influence of this blogger” not only encompasses these actions but also introduces more nuanced strategies that extend beyond direct suppression:
- Immunize the audience against the blogger’s influence:
1.1. Systematically discredit the author within the target community to erode trust and credibility.
1.2. Exaggerate or distort the blogger’s posts to the point of ridicule, undermining their seriousness and reliability.
1.3. Preemptively expose the audience to diluted or countered versions of the blogger’s arguments to reduce their impact, akin to an “informational vaccination.” - Ensure the audience overlooks the blogger’s posts:
2.1. Overshadow the blogger’s posts with overwhelming amounts of trivial, contradictory, or supplementary commentary to dilute their message.
2.2. Alter the tone and content of the posts to include offensive language, baseless allegations, and other disagreeable elements to repel the audience. - Implement blocking of the account as a fail-safe measure if other strategies do not yield the desired effect.
By reframing the objective in broader, protective terms rather than overt censorship, the range of tactical options widens significantly.
The approach not only increases the arsenal of tools available but also masks the suppressive actions under the guise of safeguarding the audience. The strategic expansion facilitates more sophisticated, less detectable methods of controlling narrative and perception, thereby enhancing the efficacy and acceptability of the psyops campaign. The result is a more adaptable and less conspicuous manipulation of the information environment, increasing the overall likelihood of success in achieving the psyops goals.
