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You Know Those Obnoxious Posters Who Almost Seem Like Alter Egos Of The Same Person? They Actually Might Be ...
I noted in 2009, in an article entitled "Does The Government Manipulate Social Media?":
The U.S. government long ago announced its intention to "fight the net".
As revealed by an official Pentagon report signed by Rumsfeld called "Information Operations Roadmap":
The roadmap [contains an] acknowledgement that information put out as
part of the military's psychological operations, or Psyops, is finding
its way onto the computer and television screens of ordinary Americans.
"Information intended for foreign audiences, including public
diplomacy and Psyops, is increasingly consumed by our domestic
audience," it reads.
"Psyops messages will often be replayed by
the news media for much larger audiences, including the American
public," it goes on.
***
"Strategy
should be based on the premise that the Department [of Defense] will
'fight the net' as it would an enemy weapons system".Indeed, the Pentagon publicly announced years ago that it was considering using "black propaganda" - in other words, knowing lies.
CENTCOM announced in 2008 that a team of employees would be "[engaging]
bloggers who are posting inaccurate or untrue information, as well as
bloggers who are posting incomplete information."
The Air Force is now also engaging bloggers. Indeed, an Air Force spokesman said:
"We
obviously have many more concerns regarding cyberspace than a typical
Social Media user," Capt. Faggard says. "I am concerned with how
insurgents or potential enemies can use Social Media to their advantage.
It's our role to provide a clear and accurate, completely truthful and
transparent picture for any audience."In other words, the government is targeting "social media", including popular user-ranked news sites.
In
addition, when you look at what the Israeli lobby has done with
Megaphone software to automatically vote stories questioning Israel down
and to send pro-Israel letters to politicians and media (see this, this and this),
you can start to see how the U.S. military - an even larger and
better-funded organization - could substantially influence voting on
social news sites with very little effort.
Moreover,the military has
outsourced many projects to private contractors. For example, in Iraq,
much of the fighting has been outsourced to Blackwater. And governmental intelligence functions have largely been outsourced to private companies.
It
is therefore not impossible that the government is hiring cheap labor
to downvote stories on the social media sites which question the
government, and to post pro-government comments.
(other governments and large companies "astroturf" online as well. See this, this and this.)
I pointed out the same month:
Government
propagandists, their hired private contractors and useful idiots are
creating "downvote bots" or scripts to bury stories which question the
government.
***
One free, simple scripting program to
create automatic downvotes of certain topics or news posters is called
"Greasemonkey", which is commonly used on large social news sites such
as Reddit.
For example, there are some 2,480 hits [now past 9,000] for the google search site:reddit.com greasemonkey downvote. This is some 2,480 times that Reddit users are publicly admitting to using greasemonkey (see also this).
Propaganda
agents obviously aren't going to publicly brag about what they are
doing, and you can bet that their use of downvote bots is much greater.
Moreover, they probably have more sophisticated software than
Greasemonkey.
Today, Raw Story reports that the Air Force ordered software to manage army of fake virtual people:
Internet users would be well advised to ask another question entirely: Are my "friends" even real people?
In
the continuing saga of data security firm HBGary, a new caveat has
come to light: not only did they plot to help destroy secrets outlet
WikiLeaks and discredit progressive bloggers, they also crafted
detailed proposals for software that manages online "personas,"
allowing a single human to assume the identities of as many fake people
as they'd like.
The revelation was among those contained
in the company's emails, which were dumped onto bittorrent networks
after hackers with cyber protest group "Anonymous" broke into their
systems.
In another document unearthed by "Anonymous," one of HBGary's employees also mentioned gaming geolocation services to make it appear as though selected fake persons were at actual events.
"There are a variety of social media tricks we can use to add a level of realness to all fictitious personas," it said.
Government involvement
Eerie as that may be, more perplexing, however, is a federal contract
from the 6th Contracting Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, located
south of Tampa, Florida, that solicits providers of "persona management
software."
While there are certainly legitimate applications for
such software, such as managing multiple "official" social media
accounts from a single input, the more nefarious potential is clear.
Unfortunately, the Air Force's contract description doesn't help dispel their suspicions either. As the text explains, the
software would require licenses for 50 users with 10 personas each,
for a total of 500. These personas would have to be "replete with
background , history, supporting details, and cyber presences that are
technically, culturally and geographacilly consistent."
It continues, noting the need for secure virtual private networks that randomize
the operator's Internet protocol (IP) address, making it impossible to
detect that it's a single person orchestrating all these posts.
Another entry calls for static IP address management for each persona,
making it appear as though each fake person was consistently accessing
from the same computer each time.
The contract also sought
methods to anonymously establish virtual private servers with private
hosting firms in specific geographic locations. This would allow that
server's "geosite" to be integrated with their social media profiles,
effectively gaming geolocation services.
The Air Force added
that the "place of performance" for the contract would be at MacDill
Air Force Base, along with Kabul, Afghanistan and Baghdad. The contract
was offered on June 22, 2010.
It was not clear exactly what the Air Force was doing with this software, or even if it had been procured.
Manufacturing consent
Though
many questions remain about how the military would apply such
technology, the reasonable fear should be perfectly clear. "Persona
management software" can be used to manipulate public opinion on key
information, such as news reports. An unlimited number of virtual
"people" could be marshaled by only a few real individuals, empowering
them to create the illusion of consensus.
***
That's precisely what got DailyKos blogger Happy Rockefeller in a snit:
the potential for military-run armies of fake people manipulating and,
in some cases, even manufacturing the appearance of public opinion.
"I
don't know about you, but it matters to me what fellow progressives
think," the blogger wrote. "I consider all views. And if there appears
to be a consensus that some reporter isn't credible, for example, or
some candidate for congress in another state can't be trusted, I won't
base my entire judgment on it, but it carries some weight.
"That's
me. I believe there are many people though who will base their
judgment on rumors and mob attacks. And for those people, a fake mob
can be really effective."
***
"Team Themis" [tasked by the Chamber to come up with strategies for responding to progressive bloggers and others] also included a proposal
to use malware hacks against progressive organizations, and the
submission of fake documents in an effort to discredit established
groups.
HBGary was also behind a plot by Bank of America to destroy
WikiLeaks' technology platform, other emails revealed. The company was humiliated by members of "Anonymous" after CEO Aaron Barr bragged that he'd "infiltrated" the group.
Gaming social media is only one propaganda technique employed by the government:
- Famed Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein says the CIA has already bought and paid for many successful journalists
- The New York Times discusses in a matter-of-fact way the use of mainstream writers by the CIA to spread messages
- A 4-part BBC documentary
called the "Century of the Self" shows that an American - Freud's
nephew, Edward Bernays - created the modern field of manipulation of
public perceptions, and the U.S. government has extensively used his
techniques
- The Independent discusses allegations of American propaganda
- And one of the premier writers on journalism says the U.S. has used widespread propaganda
»
- advertisements -
Hey GW... great post and only one comment
No, shit! Really, whocoodanode?
;)
Good to see you here....voices of calm reason are always welcome at the Hedge. Doesn't mean we always agree, but at least we can be reasonable about it....
I don't know that I've ever been accused of being calm and reasonable. Although there are quite a few less accusing me of being a tin foil hat wearing lunatic these days.
Cheers,
LOL, It is all relative...
"Its like being at Marathon in 490 BC. A turning point in history. I wasn't there I can assure you,..."
....pretty sure of that, huh, just remember there is what we know, what we know we do not know, and then what we do not know we do not know....
rummy! i miss your scowling face. hugs and evil kisses.
Rummy gets award for "protecting" Constitution.
http://tv.globalresearch.ca/2011/02/rumsfelds-award-unrest-egypt-and-food-crises
Old, trusted methodologies....
Perception management.
At times politely referred to a media management, media relations, or even PR.
Read Bernays, or begin fun research with Tavistock Institute, London.
Or just refer to this federal contract being let..
http://cryptogon.com/?p=20609
Would you be refering to a sit e with a name that starts with "God" and follows with "like" and "productions".
killing the mockingbird is never a good thing. Come back USSR...the USA needs you bad!
"I have the greatest admiration for your propaganda. Propaganda in the West is carried out by experts who have had the best training in the world — in the field of advertising — and have mastered the techniques with exceptional proficiency. Yours are subtle and persuasive; ours are crude and obvious. I think that the fundamental difference between our worlds, with respect to propaganda, is quite simple. You tend to believe yours and we tend to disbelieve ours."
Soviet correspondent after being based for five years in the U.S.
+1984
great quote and notice the polarities are switching as we go under
"use of mainstream writers by the CIA to spread messages"
what would be operation mockingbird?
and since the soviets have been gone for twenty years, and US policy has been about everything except promoting the interests of the American people, just who's agenda are they promoting?
1947
Immediately after its creation, one of the CIA's first acts is the launching of an illegal war against the citizens of the United States which it calls, ironically, Project Mockingbird.
Mockingbird is designed to deceive and manipulate the American public by controlling the content of American newspapers, magazines, books, movies and the broadcast media.
A secret CIA memo unearthed by the Church Committee in 1975 says that “newsmen are cheaper to buy than a call girl”.
CIA documents reveal that more than four hundred American journalists were/are on the CIA payroll.
Among senior mass media executives who were/are CIA assets are...
CBS president William Paley,
CBS News President Sig Mickelson, who will later be president of the CIA propaganda fronts, Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty
Time Magazine owner Henry Luce
New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger and James Copley of Copley News Service.
The “liberal” New York Times will provide cover for CIA agents between 1950 and 1966.
Project Mockingbird is headed by Rockefeller cousin, Nazi shyster and Hitler Project organizer Allen Dulles with the help of Frank Wisner, Richard Helms and Philip Graham, a graduate of the U.S. Army Intelligence School and publisher of the "liberal" Washington Post.
The Post itself becomes the CIA's premier media asset. Eventually, the CIA’s media assets will include ABC, NBC, CBS, Time, Newsweek, the Associated Press, United Press International, Reuters, Hearst Newspapers, Scripps-Howard, Copley News Service and more.
By the CIA’s own admission, at least twenty five major media organizations will become direct CIA assets.
In reality, virtually the entire U.S. mass media apparatus is nothing more or less than a gigantic propaganda and disinformation machine masquerading as a free press.
"Media manipulation in the U.S. today is more efficient than it was in Nazi Germany, because here we have the pretence that we are getting all the information we want. That misconception prevents people from even looking for the truth."
Mark Crispin Miller
As soon as I come across somebody telling me 'the truth,' I know it's just another lie. This reactionary way of life has increased my IQ, lowered my cholesterol and made me a better dancer.
I prefer to let my fuzzy logic construct a picture of the world that has had 'the truth' carefully eviscerated. Anything less lacks logical consistency.
Information avoidance is the only way to be well informed anymore.
FDA says you cannot make that claim about your lowered cholersterol. You as a doctor should be particularly sensitive to these types of issues.
Yo, Bananapatch. You know I'm not that kind of doctor!
My non-medical advice to the world: Get plenty of sleep, stay in a peaceful state of mind and get lots of salty snacks in your diet. Even if you die young, you'll feel better while you're here.
For our many readers who are eating burgers right now...
High LDL readings are the warning that your body chemistry is out of balance. But instead of working to fix the problem of a risky diet, we take pills to reduce the warning signs by lowering the LDL number.
Using this medical logic, if you feel cold all the time, get a mechanical thermometer and remove the cover. Then move the pointer to your most comfortable temperature. Voila, problem solved. "Shut up, you're not cold, look at the thermometer."
We fix so many problems this way that I'm amaze any of us have any critical function left between our ears. Yes, the cholesterol pills are effective at fixing your numbers.
However, no honest study (not funded by makers of said pills) has shown that they are actually effective at reducing death from heart disease. But at least when that infarction or stroke cools your ass, your blood work will look good.
This isn't a rant on you, Bananapatch. You just got me going. Apparently your post used one of the trigger words that fires up my program.
I'm just an alter ego of a completely insane video game, unleased on the Internet by the Evil Gnomes of Zurich.
I've really been enjoying your posts as of late David P. Please keep them coming.
Ignore the MSM.
Dear George
This one is a little slow today.
I have noticed anything regarding Israel, muslims, unions, american politics and foreign policy, and harrywanger tend to get the juices stirring and the junks flowing.
Here is an article I suggest your write. "Israeli Unions Criticise American Politics and Foreign policy. Muslims side with Harry Wanger."
Keep up the controversy! You should be proud how you get the pot all stirred up. I think you really are a secret troll aren't you? Admit it!
What happened to all those gulf stories?
I believe there are "professional" posters on ZH who either work for the Big Banks or the Feds. An open internet is a nightmare for the Mother of All Ponzi Schemes. So What? Psalm 27:1
I believe there are "professional" posters on ZH who either work for the Big Banks or the Feds.
I agree Reesy Bobby, but why leave out this
http://giyus.org/ http://giyus.org/alerts
http://netherworld.wordpress.com/2006/11/12/ten-tips-for-dealing-with-gi...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaphone_desktop_tool
Are you naive? stupid? or a troll from megaphone?
TCT : Native is that native does. This is a global economy. There is no turning back. Its like being at Marathon in 490 BC. A turning point in history. I wasn't there I can assure you, but it has been the most important event in the history of western civilization. As it allowed it to occur. They always told me the first step, going from zero to epsilon, was the most difficult. But apparently going from zillion to zero in much easier for humanity. Think about that.
AHHHHHHHHHH! Invasion of the bloggy-snatchers!
Seriously, these motherf*ckerz rob us at gunpoint every friggin payday to do this stuff to us folks. Always remember that.
If it smells like bullshit, I treat it like bullshit.
Doesn't matter how many posters or regurgitations it might claim.
Of course, reading Zero Hedge these days is much more like sleeping on the floor of a feedlot than it used to be, so I guess the robots are doing their job.
Oh yeah? How's your site doing?
Like I said, Aryan Boy. ZH to be a decent site until the shit surged in.
In my book 99.9% of all anti semitic and anti anti semitic posts are phonies. Used to stir up trouble, distract attention from the real issue, and discredit the site they appear on.
By the way, I already know what you are going to say and couldn't care less.
... distract attention from the real issue
Great Diogenes. You know the real issue. Care to tell us what it is?
Don't be shy.
umm, by real "real issue" i think he referring to the article that the comments are supposed to be related to, not unrelated rantings.... not that complicated.
Yes. And I suspect a bit Patriot act oriented as well.
If only the posters knew the level of detail they leave behind each visit but on a serious note over the course of time a less than careful poster could probably leave enough info that a comprehensive profile could be developed. Time to disappear now and re emerge as someone else. It was better in the days that ZH allowed anon posting
If the federal goverment is devoting time & energy to ferret out and track posters on zerohedge then we are further along toward the collaspe than even I thought.
The U.S. is headed for a currency/government funding collaspe.
That means resources become ever more scarce, even to fund the 'spooks' & 'thought police'. So if precious $$$ is going to tracking ZH posters then this is merely expediting the fall as it involves a waste of resources ... like attempting to stem the tide from coming in.
I'm more alinged with the Dmitry Orlov school of thought that as the underlying economic foundation crumbles .... the U.S. becomes the former U.S.
It falls down, and can't get up.
Even if they know who you are and where you live, they probably can't actually come and get you. There are simply too many pissed off people spouting off on the Internet.
Sure, they have the resources to grab a couple of famous ringleaders. Beyond that, they'd have to rely on the crack staff that does their everyday dirty work.
Frankly, I'd be amazed if most of the Fed enforcement 'team' could deliver pizzas to the right house without fucking it up, let alone arrest a bunch of Internet noisemakers using online clues.
However, I trust the feds to be able to kill every living thing at a particular address, then reduce the building to a fine dust.
It just might not be the RIGHT adddress.
Not that it matters, since the show itself sends a powerful message of fear to the unwashed, and that's the real point.
the conversations were certainly interesting back in the anonymous days! More flame wars and cursing.
Yes, things were very different 8 weeks ago when you came around.
CogD et al you've got tct all wrong. He has been reading ZH since the beginning, but was just too darn reserved and shy to post back then. But with these new meds and his very own apartment in Granny's basement...
(Just thought I'd get that in there before he checked his manual)
More likely than not he's simply a skeevy little nothing who wishes someone would pay him to blather, but as he has no real skillz he's just flattered that you might think that was the case.
My vote for most disruptive recent loon would have to be zero gvt. At least TCT can string a chain of coherent thoughts together....
Ouch!
tct
first when applying for multiple zh identities use something other than your .gov eAddress
second overlap and use some sleeper identities
come to think of it Cass would know those tricks so you likely used your yahoo identity - but I do enjoy many (not all) of your posts :|)
Oops!
I do believe that somebody just put their metaphorical foot in their mouth!
(MasterBater, naughty boy, is that you?)
Nice catch CD.
Nice catch CD.
+2
still looking for the comeback
"Persona management software can be used to manipulate public opinion on key information, such as news reports. An unlimited number of virtual "people" could be marshaled by only a few real individuals, empowering them to create the illusion of consensus"
-well that definitely explains the trolls on this site.
And, on a related topic: here for you with a puke factor of 100 out of a possible 100, is living proof that only the good die young:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/41652887/
-fucking presidential Medal of Freedom. For what, exactly? Fucking disgrace to all who have received it before. I guess if Obama-ramalama-ding-dong can get the Nobel, then why not? Does ANYTHING have meaning anymore? Is ANYTHING not manipulated and full of absolute totalitarianist propaganda? This is WORSE than Orwell's 1984.
Unconditional love? Really Buffet? Really? Shove it up your ass and suck it up you old bitch.
agreed. 100%.
Yeah, Mr. Obama pinned one of 'em on GHWBush, too. It's like giving the prison warden the medal of freedom...