How many of you know about Perception Management? You can thank the U.S Military and Department of Defense for it. It began in the 1960s and has since become the preferred methodology for governments (foreign and domestic), CIA and other intelligence agencies, politicians, corporations, marketing, tv, and, yes, the New Kadampa Tradition, probably with gratitude to the PRC. Here are 6 strategies employed during war, but now, through toning down somewhat, it has become a big deal which permeates many facets of our lives: Does anything sound familiar? Definition, courtesy of the US DOD: Actions to convey and/or deny selected information to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives and objective reasoning, ultimately resulting in changing behavioral and official actions favorable to the originators objectives. In various ways perception management uses truth projections, operations security, cover and deception, and psychological operations. (Thats my government for ya), Here are six techniques used, and there are others: 1) Atrocity accusations--accuse the other side of committing acts of gross indecency that will shock the enemy, such as bombing religious buildings or taking the actions of one incident as representative of the beliefs of everyone who share those beliefs. 2) Hyperbolic inflation--Exaggerate the things they have done to make them particularly terrible. Use generalizations to turn one incident into something that happens all the time, and use emphasis to make these things stand out. 3) Demonization and dehumanization--make them appear wholly bad in all ways. Frame them as evil animals who seek only to destroy that which we hold dear, such comparing them to Hitler or Pol Pot. 4) Polarization--Contrast what we and they believe, say and do. Paint our people as glorious in sharp contrast to their evil villains. Talk about how our people love God, whilst theirs worship the devil. 5) Devine sanction--Claim what you are doing is either required or aligned with higher powers. Show that your people are more religious and that holy people are on your side (especially if both sides are of the same faith). For example, reinterpret the scriptures to justify your actions. Say you have conversed with God or a religious figure. 6) Meta-Propaganda--use propaganda about propaganda. Show how they make things up and are deliberately trying to deceive, whilst our messages are true. If you can destroy one piece of propaganda then you can shake belief in anything else they say. I know the above is extreme, but toned down a bit I see the fine hand of the PRC in the approach the NKT is taking. Google Perception Management if you want to know more. It has become a science, and there are many articles online.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:36:56 +0000
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