Understand what "agent of influence" means, and how DU fights back.

[ConsAreLiars]

It means that someone closer to the strategic center of an organization - a party, a corporation, a covert operation, a cabal, a cult, whatever - is able to manipulate others to act in accord with with the strategic goals at the center, and those people in turn are able to influence others. It does not mean that the agent of influence has even the slightest clue about what is really going on, or even that the handler knows.

We saw how this works on the net in the attack on Rather or the "everybody knew Plame was CIA" crap, and more broadly in the dissemination of Reich Wing talking points through hate radio, cable shows, and Scaife-Coors-Mellon funded "thinktanks," foundations, and "news" sites. The attack on Clinton was another well-documented case in point. The people who appear in public - like a dishonest reporter or some drug-addled radio blowhard or some nutcase politician or even a coward with a web forum - they may or may not know or even care or even be able to understand how they are being handled. They get whatever they get out of the deal - a bit of fame, fortune, strokes, invitations, fantasies of self-importance - and the handlers get promoted if they are effective.

This is the dark side of how "politics" works. In one sense, it is a "conspiracy," but that word sort of implies that the people involved understand the goals and "breathe together" with some sort of agreement about a plan. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the less these "agents of influence" understand about their role and especially about how they are being handled, the easier they are to use and the more effective they are likely to be within the circle that they influence.

The local leaders in the "silent majority," "moral majority," "christian right" and such don't have a clue where the money behind the spread of their ideology came from, and neither the deluded "true believers" nor the self-aware scam artists really care or have any need to know.

I guess the point is to understand that many games are being played, and the net is just one terrain, one battlefield. "Agents of influence" don't even have to recognize how they are being played. They can be used. The intent of the "influencers" can be to distract, attack, sow discord, or deceive. The "agents of influence" don't have to know any of this to be used effectively.

The best defense against that kind of attack is a good reality check. This is the real strength of a democratic community, since sharing information, looking together at all aspects of a situation and the many possible interpretations is the only way to to determine how best to understand what is really real.

DU is able to form such a "reality-based" community and is largely successful in exposing the lies by disruptors and even good-hearted fools since we (mostly) demand evidence and are not content with simple-minded allegations that appeal to our baser or even more noble inclinations. This communal fact-checking is the only good defense against that kind of manipulation, and is one of the great strengths of this forum.

So, if someone makes an assertion that seems contentious, divisive, or even unproven, ask them to back it up. If they can't or won't, ask yourself why. If someone tries to drag a discussion into a sewer, ask yourself why. Don't be played for a fool. There are plenty doing that already, and the price for being played is very high. Don't distrust everything, but do demand facts. And if the one questioned starts changing the subject, tossing up chaff, or otherwise evading the challenge to provide evidence, be skeptical and be warned.

(edit to correct a few typos)

[IChing]

1. Nice thoughtful post

It reminded me of some of the things that Marshall McLuhan has touch upon in his many books, which I would suggest also many DUers would read on understanding media and manipulation of thought and ideas.

On McLuhan's gravestone are the words "The Truth Shall Make You Free." We do not have to like or even agree with everything that McLuhan said, but we should nevertheless remember that his life was dedicated to showing men the truth about the world they live in, and the hidden consequences of the technologies he develops

"Mud sometimes gives the illusion of depth"

A good link: http://www.marshallmcluhan.com/main.html

[kevsand]

2. I find myself increasingly relying on Occam's Razor.

"Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate" or "plurality should not be posited without necessity."

In other words, the simplest explanation is often the most likely. Conversely, the more complex an explanation (the more assumptions it involves or the more items/actors/connections it introduces) the less likely it is to be true.

Theories are just hypothetical frameworks until they are fleshed out with facts and evidence. And the more outrageous the claim, the more rigorous must be the proof.

I'm growing weary of speculation that masquerades as informed analysis, and I am tired to death of unproven conspiracies behind every seemingly innocuous event.

We need to be on our best game in 2006, and that means sticking to provable facts and time-tested strategies. Thank you for this thread, which I am happy to nominate.

[ConsAreLiars]

4. Randi Rhodes often says much the same thing.

The truth can be told in a very few words. Lying is much more difficult, and when it comes to evidence, well then they get really obtuse.

This is true for the bizarroworld of the of both the magical thinkers who go far beyond the facts, and the delusions of the self-styled "moderates" who ignore the facts and promote "common knowledge" as if mass illusion would trump all facts to the contrary.

(And thanks to all for the nominations. I think it is important to understand that we are targets, and that truth is our best defense.)

[Old and In the Way]

3. Good points about DU

I think DU is pretty unique for the Net. We have a great LBN that draws from 1,000s of contributors. And we get instantaneous commentary of the news from a variety of opinions, mostly liberal and progressive, obviously. I'm pretty much broadcast/cable TV news-free....and better informed than I've ever been.

[starroute]

5. This is one to post up on the wall for future reference

I keep remembering the 60's, and thinking that as weird as things are now, they're only going to keep getting weirder.

I used to think I could believe about 90% of what came through the mainstream media and only discard the 10% that was obvious spin or disinformation. But those percentages are shifting rapidly. It's not down to 50-50 yet, but it's getting there.

But what happens if the entire system goes chaotic -- if a large percent of the population is systematically disbelieving half of what they're told -- and not all the same half?

Remeber that Goya print titled "The Sleep of Reason Begets Monsters"? When you can't trust the data, when reason has nothing to work from, fantasy takes over. And though fantasy in peaceful times can be beautiful, fantasy combined with fear leaves us all seeing demons.

Perhaps the greatest function DU could serve as things get even nutsier is to keep us grounded in reality -- with solid facts, solid understanding, and reality checks on each others wilder fancies. But I've also seen a tendency in DU to serve as an echo chamber for rumors and panicky speculation, especially when events are happening very quickly.

In addition, think of what happened in the weeks after the November election as an example of how DU can be gamed. Outside intruders, quickly pumping up their post counts, adopting every cliched DU catchphrase, claiming to speak with authority, and sending people running around in circles or off on wild goose chases.

We need to be thinking right now, while things are relatively calm, about what could happen in a crisis or if we come under assault again by planted agents. Who do you trust? Whose word do you believe? How do you separate true from false and friend from foe?

Our survival as an effective center for change will depend on it.

[Old and In the Way]

8. Excellent points starroute.

nt

[IChing]

6. morning kick

:kick: :hi:

[bpilgrim]

7. open source baby ;->

it has been long proven in the marketplace of ideas that OPENNESS works best just as it does in nature =)

well said :toast:

psst... pass the word :bounce:

peace

[ConsAreLiars]

9. a good comparison - consensus built through reality-testing

rather than a "reality" being built through consensus as the propagandists do. Fact-checking, testing, and error correction is the only sure way to tell the them apart.

[IChing]

10. evening kick N/T