Sockpuppets Series

One of the research areas I'm focusing on as part of a book project I'm working on is state- and corporate-sponsored propaganda and how it affects the population at large, and how it systematically neutralizes (or sabotages) the effectiveness of social justice movements and activists.

Back in January 25th, 2013, I wrote a well-received diary titled "Research Study Explains How U.S. Media Brainwashes The Public." In that diary I focused on the propagandist effects of corporate media conglomeration, and I made reference to a Gonzaga University Master's Degree Thesis by Frank McCoy, submitted on December, 2012: "THE PROPAGANDA MODEL: CORPORATE AND POLITICAL COLLUSION INTHE CREATION OF AN OLIGOPOLISTIC MAINSTREAM U.S. MEDIA."

Before I continue, I'd like to point out that I'm very surprised at how little ongoing research there is about modern-day government/corporate propaganda, given that it seems to me (from the research I'm conducting) that it is now more ubiquitous, advanced, and effective than any time in history...

More recently I published a diary reporting on how government and corporate spy networks have been infiltrating activist groups: "Report: U.S. Gov. And Corporate Security Companies Collude to Bring Down Social Justice Groups." In that diary I referenced a recently-published report on how "[c]orporations are increasingly spying on nonprofit groups they view as potential threats with little fear of retribution," as reported by The Los Angels Times.

I've written a few other diaries about this topic, and I'm in the process of writing the chapter on propaganda (for my book) using the available reference material (studies, research, etc.)... I will also set up a reference section on modern-day propaganda on my website for those who are interested in more in-depth knowledge about the subject.

In the meantime, I'd like to call attention to the latest revelations about how corporate PR and spy networks work in conjunction with governments to neutralize activists.

The website, PopularResistance.org recently published a related article: "Stratfor Monitors and Studies Social Movements"

It was very interesting to see (and confirm) something I've observed for quite some time now (as I continue researching the subject): The effort to cognitively infiltrate social justice groups and activists is systematic and disciplined. For a more in-depth examination on this, I really recommend another article published at PopularResistance.org: "Here's How The Corporations Defeat Political Movements."

In the meantime, I'll focus on Stratfor's recommendation(s) when it comes to neutralizing activists. In one of the most disciplined cognitive infiltration strategies I've seen, they recommend a very matter-of-factly "divide-and-conquer" process on dealing with different types of activists. Here's how they break them down:



RADICALS : Radicals, who see the system as corrupt and needing transformation, need to be isolated and discredited, using false charges to assassinate their character is a common tactic.



: Radicals, who see the system as corrupt and needing transformation, is a common tactic. REALISTS : The Realists can be convinced that transformative change is not possible and we must settle for what is possible.



: The Realists and we must settle for what is possible. IDEALISTS : Idealists can be convinced they have the facts wrong and pulled to the Realist camp.



: Idealists and pulled to the Realist camp. OPPORTUNISTS : Opportunists are in it for themselves and can be pulled away for their own self-interest.



I'm writing a more extensive essay about this subject, which I will publish later on tonight, but in the meantime I wanted to publish this short diary to elicit readers' opinions (and observations) about the subject, especially the break down of the different types of activists, and the corporate state strategy on how to deal with each.