Disinformationists & Disrupters

C@tmomma Uncategorized

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“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about answers.” Thomas Pynchon

I don’t know about you, but I find it incredibly frustrating when I come up hard against a commenter on the internet whom I consider a ‘Disinformationist’ or a ‘Disrupter’ .

We all know them, if not immediately at first contact, then ultimately by their behaviour.

Or, at least I hope we all might be able to better spot them by the end of this helpful ‘How to’ recognise them heads-up.

It may save you the time you may otherwise have expended engaging with them in order to try and change their minds.  Because you won’t.

They do not exist to be persuadable.

Let’s just start by understanding what Disinformation is(from Wikipedia):

Disinformation is intentionally false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately. For this reason, it is synonymous with and sometimes called black propaganda. It is an act of deception and false statements to convince someone of untruth. Disinformation should not be confused with misinformation, information that is unintentionally false.

Unlike traditional propaganda techniques designed to engage emotional support, disinformation is designed to manipulate the audience at the rational level by either discrediting conflicting information or supporting false conclusions. A common disinformation tactic is to mix some truth and observation with false conclusions and lies, or to reveal part of the truth while presenting it as the whole (a limited hangout).

Another technique of concealing facts, or censorship, is also used if the group can affect such control. When channels of information cannot be completely closed, they can be rendered useless by filling them with disinformation, effectively lowering their signal-to-noise ratio and discrediting the opposition by association with many easily disproved false claims.

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Such are the sorts of verbal attacks that we see every day, from Left and Right, from one or another group, political party or individual commenter, against one or another party. Of course, globally, but specifically in our own neck of the internet woods.  Mainly on other blogs because this one is moderated by active not passive moderators.

Passive Mods on other blogs appear to be hog-tied to Jay Rosen’s ‘Voice From Nowhere’ paradigm, assuming an objective perspective that sits back to let all flowers have the chance to bloom equally on their blog, even if some of them are the equivalent of internet weeds. In contrast with Active Mods, such as we are here, who are constantly on the look-out for the blog trolls that simply seek to disinform and disrupt. Who then get weeded out, so as to keep the garden blooming, unchoked with deliberate distractions from the disrupters.  Who seem to be just like any other commenter, until you start to see some constant similarities to the way they, and others of a like mind, go about their posting.

So, as a service to us all I just thought I might outline some of the ways they do this so you can tell them apart from people who genuinely have a different point of view to you. Basically so that you don’t waste your precious time and energy on trying to change their minds, with facts and rational argument. Such people will never change their mind because that is not the reason they are where they are, interacting forcefully with you.  They are trying to spread manure in the garden to burn the flowers and allow the weeds to grow and take over.

Eight Signs of a Disinformationist

1) Avoidance. They never actually discuss issues head-on or provide constructive input, unless engaged in faux ‘constructive input’ such as a Gish Gallop, generally avoiding the citing of references. Rather, they merely imply this, that, and the other. Virtually everything about their presentation implies THEIR authority and expert knowledge in the matter without any further justification for credibility.

2) Selectivity. They tend to pick and choose opponents carefully, either applying the hit-and-run approach against mere commentators supportive of opponents, or focusing heavier attacks on key opponents who are known to directly address issues well.

3) Coincidental. They tend to surface suddenly and somewhat coincidentally with a new controversial topic under discussion. They likewise tend to vanish once the topic is no longer of general concern. They were likely directed to be there for a reason, and vanish with the reason.

4) Teamwork. They tend to operate in self-congratulatory and complementary packs or teams. Of course, this can happen naturally in any public forum. Sometimes one of the players will infiltrate the opponent camp to become a source for straw man or other tactics designed to dilute opponent presentation strength.

5) Aggressively Mainstream/Anti-Conspiratorial. They almost always have disdain for non-mainstream or ‘conspiracy theories’ and almost always are defending the official narrative of your political opponents.

6) Artificial Emotions. An odd kind of ‘artificial’ emotionalism and an unusually thick skin — an ability to persevere and persist even in the face of overwhelming criticism and nonacceptance, no matter how condemning the evidence, they simply deny everything you present as evidence, and never become emotionally involved or reactive. The net result for a disinfo artist is that emotions can seem counterproductive.

With respect to being thick-skinned, no amount of criticism will deter them from doing their job, and they will generally continue their old disinfo patterns without any adjustments to criticisms of how obvious it is that they play that game — where a more rational individual who truly cares what others think might seek to improve their communications style, substance, and so forth, or simply give up.

7) Inconsistent. There is also a tendency to make mistakes sometimes which betray their true self/motives. This may stem from not really knowing their topic and simply being interested in an intent to disrupt the flow of an argument which is trending towards their opposition
8) Time Constant. Recently discovered, with respect to News/Social Media Groups, is the response time factor. There are three ways this can be seen to work, especially when envoys of an empowered player are involved in a cover up or disinformation operation:

  • ANY Blog/Social Media posting by a targeted ‘truth teller’ can result in an IMMEDIATE response. The envoys of the empowered players can afford to have people sit there and watch for an opportunity to do some damage.  Since disinfo in a Blog/Social Media setting only works if the reader sees it-fast response is called for, or the visitor may be swayed towards the truth.
  • Or, when dealing with a rebuttal to a truth in the public arena, such as in the form of a chain disinformation email, a delay in the response usually occurs. This allows a sit-down team discussion on response strategy for best effect, and even enough time to ‘get permission’ or instruction from a formal chain of command.
  • In any News Media/Social Media forum, it will often ALSO be seen that bigger guns are drawn and fired after the same, usually 48-72 hours delay – the team approach in play. This is especially true when the targeted ‘truth teller’, or their comments, are considered more important with respect to their potential to reveal truth. Thus, a serious truth sayer will be attacked more than once for the same sin.

Well, there you have it. A rough outline of what I believe we are up against, as web warriors for the Progressive cause, as we go into battle on a daily basis for what we believe in and wish to defend.

I’m not saying that the above is true of every encounter with the ‘enemy’ that we have, just to be aware that probably not all of them are ‘weekend warriors’, just engaging in the verbal battle for altruistic reasons simply. I’m pretty sure that eloquent exponents in our corner, the Progressive corner, are well known to the o(O)pposition, and are targeted accordingly so they don’t become too influential in the day to day ideological debate that has started to go on since the internet and other forms of Social Media flung open the Doors of Perception.

859 thoughts on “Disinformationists & Disrupters”

  1. I missed the Dreyfus presser, but I have gathered it related to the ASIO matter.

    Apparently Windsor is saying that Gina is funding Barnaby’s campaign

  2. I assert the Mod’s Privilege to re-post when your last post was No 100 on the previous page

    Is this screwy, or is it just me?

    Can it be that the public does not recognize that the terms “the Carbon Tax” and “the government’s carbon pricing scheme” are one and the same thing?

    ——————————

    Essential Report says:

    27% want to: “Keep the carbon and mining taxes

    (A combined 59% want to dump it, either keeping or not keeping the compensation.)

    then later, in response to the question:

    Q. Do you support or oppose the Government’s carbon pricing scheme…

    43% answer “YES”

    ——————————-

    So 27% want to keep it in one question, and 43% in another.

    Maybe this is just me, as I said, but if it’s not, how WEIRD are those numbers?

    http://essentialvision.com.au/category/essentialreport

  3. I guess those Essential figures just show how effective (BS) rhetoric can really be–the term ‘carbon tax’ has more negative connotations than ‘carbon pricing scheme’, so more people claim to be opposed to it despite actually referring to the same thing, I suppose.

  4. Be nice to see some questions about the Oops’ “policies”.

  5. I guess those Essential figures just show how effective (BS) rhetoric can really be–the term ‘carbon tax’ has more negative connotations than ‘carbon pricing scheme’, so more people claim to be opposed to it despite actually referring to the same thing, I suppose.

    That’s what I though it might be.

    Seriously weird.

    So I haven’t read the numbers wrongly?

  7. aguirre

    I found Abbott’s rant in QT today hilarious. He thinks he won the argument

  8. Dr RIshane,

    I can’t remember if I’ve congratulated you yet – so my heartiest congratulations to you!

    It is a magnificent achievement. Well done, and best wishes for your career.

  9. Of course he did, Victoria. Abbott’s all about short-term survival – get to the end of the interview, read the set-piece speech, make a promise here and then ignore it over there. He’s not mentally attuned to longer-term strategies. He’s really happy that he had an answer to the request for his commitment to action on carbon pollution. He thought that was the gotcha.

    When he finds himself backtracking, and trying to get off the issue of Direct Action in a few days, and has to walk out of pressers as soon as his CT rant is met with requests for detail on the Direct Action plan he professes to be so proud of, he’s probably going to wonder what happened.

    And it may not occur to him that he’s the one who opened the door to all that.

  10. Aguirre

    I was unable to watch anymore of QT after his rant. But the coalition did appear pleased with his response

  12. victoria,

    It was followed by a dixer to JGPM. The DAP got a big run.

  13. Wow just sticking my nose in at work……thanks everyone for the QT commentary . Felt like I was there!! That must have been 4 or 5 reds for the Coalition .

  15. Dr RIshane,

    I can’t remember if I’ve congratulated you yet – so my heartiest congratulations to you!

    Plus Scorpio.

  16. This stuff from the PMO is excellent. Perhaps the OM could have a glance at it?

  18. BTW, the Government won the division. Another bill read for the third time.

    How are they hanging, Tone?

  19. They have named the bloke apprehended in Sydney. No suppression; no bail.

  20. Leigh Sales has been having problems?

    “Sales alive and well as definition of book evolves”

  21. The ABC is reporting the cyber-hacking as fact. Careful there, peeps!

  22. That division was 71 – 70. Funny how Tone just can’t get the numbers – he’s THAT close!

  23. This little black duck,

    { That division was 71 – 70. Funny how Tone just can’t get the numbers – he’s THAT close! }

    Joe seems to have some sort of fixation on “the numbers”! 😉

  24. Andrew Leigh speaking in the Reps on the PBO. “The opposition will be caught in the noose”.

  26. “Coalition to block tax deductions for school ethics classes”

    They may oppose but they can’t block: they don’t have the numbers.

  28. Is there anything more useless than “interviewing” athletes after they have competed?

  32. I think we might of had a glimpse of the immediate future with QT today by the way Labor and the Inds set up Piss N Moan.

    The man can’t think on his feet and it shows.

    It was the same when Albo suspended standing orders to allow Tone 15 minutes to speak (what was it on again???) and he was found wanting. Coughing, spluttering and farting.

    I just have the feeling we will see more of it in QT. PMJG openly laughing at him as he spoke.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Windsor has a turn later this week.

  34. Interesting aside by Bob Ellis re Windsor’s biographer. That should be a good read

  35. I thought Abbott was onto a good thing this afternoon when Albo begged him to speak on Climate Change.

    But I lost interest when he said the answer to Global Warming was “planting trees and doing other stuff”.

    Jeeeeeeeeezus wept!

  36. so william hodgeman is going to do a newman to Tasmania
    re his budget reply.
    no imagination these liberals,, cannot think out side the square

    one wonders if they think publicservants ( government staff) are real people

  37. Albo gave Tone three minutes. Without a script he had to resort to a rant. I think Labor Management has his measure.

  38. TLBD .. our mob has got to get Piss N Moan committed to Live Debates. If he doesn’t , call him for a coward.

    But the heat has got to be applied eventually.

    Everyone knows that Tone is really an embarrassment. He needs to be seen as often as possible being one.

  39. May 28, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    A vote for Abbott is a vote for Pell!
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/
    ==================================================
    bk I thought that was the story, disappointed, there is a list of emails
    for guardian staff think its under our people or some such word

    why not email one of the guardian jouno s and suggest a story like that

  40. to speak on Climate Change.

    But I lost interest when he said the answer to Global Warming was “planting trees and doing other stuff”.
    =============================

    well I am pleased abbott said that,, sound ridiculous to most people

  41. his little black duck
    May 28, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    This stuff from the PMO is excellent. Perhaps the OM could have a glance at it?

    Agreed. It’s been a huge move, if barely acknowledged, placing Andrew Leigh in the PM’s Office. He’s digital savvy as well as one of the top brains on economic matters.

    I think Dreyfus into the Attorney-General portfolio is also reaping some dividends. He’s prepared to take them on. Inspector Cluseau might find things a bit more uncomfortable.

  42. While Tony Abbott’s relentless and effective campaign against the carbon tax has seen support for the Government haemorrhage, this week’s Essential Report suggests the Coalition is headed for its own human-induced climate pain.

    The Coalition’s climate policy is not only less popular than the carbon tax – a feat right there – the support it does attract comes from those who dismiss the science of climate change.

    Meanwhile as the Opposition promises to scrap the carbon tax, public opinion is finally coming to terms with the Government’s long-maligned scheme.

    http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4716804.html

  45. As I thought, the whole ‘4 Corners Special Investigation’ of Cyber Hacking of New ASIO Headquarters by Chinese Cyber Terrorists…and all the bluddy cross-promotion of it throughout the Mess Media all darn day, was just one big beat-up and the biggest storm in a teacup since Y2K!

    Bernard Keane,, whose opinion I actually respect on internet matters, just said on The Drum that no State Secrets were obtained, just the location of Servers and cabling, basically, and this is just a continuation of the sort of espionage that has been going on between countries for centuries. Except, instead of by way of using Invisible Ink, using hacking of the internet.

    What really is the great scandal here is the tickets shows like 4 Corners are starting to get on themselves, whereby they think that they ARE the news and that when they put the word ‘JUMP!’ on their bleedin’ weekly docudrama, the government should snap to attention and say, “How high?”

    It’s just more of the manufactured news+outrage that is becoming too common these days on so-called ‘serious’ programs, and I, for one, am rapidly starting to tire of it.

    * Asylum Seekers’ terrible conditions on Manus and Nauru.
    * Live Cattle Export atrocities
    * Cyber Hacking

    Frankly, this sort of stuff is more at home on ‘A Current Affair’. They should be ashamed of themselves rather than boasting about this tripe.

  48. Agree about 4C. They need fact-based programs instead of sensationalism.

  49. 7.5 has an AFP whistle-blower. I hope they have checked out his background and motivation.

    He has the guts not to hide his identity. Good on him for that!

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