Let's Talk About Juan... ;-)

[Zenaan Harkness]

On Thu, Sep 08, 2016 at 02:59:13AM -0000, Cypher Piggie wrote:
> > power, including the power to destroy lives (Jacob Applebaum), murder
> 
> you're an apologist for juan.

CIA COINTEL SOP is construct and build communication tools to use to
target by discrediting, whilst avoiding and indeed railroading debate on
salient points.

In the past we've seen the demonisation of targets as e.g.:
 - conspiracy theorists
 - wacky "alternative media" nuts
 - communists

New tools shall be developed over time, and this one is relatively
recent:
 - "you're an apologist for X"
   - rape apologist
   - "target" apologist
   - "evil" apologist

This only works when there is a strong possibility of emotional response
in your target, and the target responds in this way.

Your example usage of "you're a rape apoligist" is just the latest in
the many decades of such operations.


For those who may be don't quite see it:

 - when under pressure, deflect the heat by making an accusation
   ("you're...")

 - an ideal COINTEL COUNTEROP accusation is one which has a good chance
   of an emotional response

 - the accusation must absolutely avoid the actual issue causing the
   heat

 - in your words, talk with simple brevity as though you're speaking a
   fact

 - ideally, your accusation is actually factual, or has a good basis in
   fact, and so is much more effective at deflecting the heat/ substance
   of what you're trying to avoid


Counter tactics:

 - as always, -name- the technique used

 - ignore the attack otherwise
   - especially if you experience an emotional response

 - if you have time, energy, and can step back from any emotional
   response you might feel, then unpack the tactic in as simple terms as
   you can, to assist others in witnessing the troll

 - at all costs, do not leap into self defence (well done Juan :)

 - immediately get back to the hot point which on which the technique is
   being used to try to avoid