Worked for a week setting up a new thread on Information Warfare. Enough time to wear me out; was looking forward to a break. But I thought I'd check for Q articles so I could update my list. I soon ran across a new article with a different twist that would make a good post. Turned out Q thought so, too; it's the one in Post 2784.

Stop the Online Conspiracy Theorists before they break democracy

Author: Julia Edner.

———————

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/18/online-conspiracy-theorists-democracy📁

What does FEAR look like?

30m use ‘Qanon’ across ‘censored’ platforms?

Incorrect, much more.

The Great Awakening.

WWG1WGA!!!

Q

———————-

Anons dug into the author of this article (>>5243387, >>5243407, >>5243568). But the article itself is worth a look, because it represents a real shift in attack. Previously, articles attacking Q have used ridicule as their main tool to dissuade people from taking an interest–that, along with darker hints that this movement might just turn out to be dangerous, as well.

In December, though, WaPo published an article on Dec 10 that focused on "hateful conspiracies," and used four different organizations to substantiate their claims. That represented a definite step up in their campaign. All four turned out to have a strong bias toward left-wing ideas and against centrist to right positions, characterizing these with words like "extreme," or "radical." They didn't use scientific research methods but rather algorithms or other subjective methods of questionnable scientific worth. Their education and experience suggested political activists, not scientists.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/hateful-conspiracies-thrive-on-youtube-despite-pledge-to-clean-up-problematic-videos/2018/12/10/625730a8-f3f8-11e8-9240-e8028a62c722_story.html?utm_term=.99d85d24edcf

I did 5 or 6 diggs in December 2018 documenting what I saw; they can be located via the link below in the Archive. I did so many posts because it was necessary to look at each of these "research" projects to evaluate them. Good thing–none was very scientifically well-grounded.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/hateful-conspiracies-thrive-on-youtube-despite-pledge-to-clean-up-problematic-videos/2018/12/10/625730a8-f3f8-11e8-9240-e8028a62c722_story.html?utm_term=.ed88b7ca6dcf

So WaPo essentially used fake science to support their fake news. Figures. But it represented a new kind of attacK: one that relied of alleged experts to backup WaPo's claims. They may turned out to mediocre experts, but they still look ok to anyone who doesn't bother to research them. I also discussed this new tactic when discussed anti-Q articles; see >>4986336 pb. So I was kind of expecting more of the same, and worse, in the future. The press was beginning to take Q more seriously. As a result, it would probably come up with more and better attack strategies.

The new article does just that. The false claims it makes are grander, more sweeper, and more focused on political action. If you didn't know better, you'd think Q Research must be about direct political action, not research. But the Research must be getting out there, too, because the article mentions 30 million people talking about Q across social media platforms, despite MSM attempts to have those platforms censored. Q says the 30mil figure is too low an estimate. In Post 2772, he warned us to "expect 'attacks' to dramatically intensify across all platforms." And this new article certainly seems to fit the bill.

(The article itself is further discussed in a separate 3-page post.)

>>5260465

Stop the Online Conspiracy Theorists before they break democracy: line by line

Mon 18 Feb 2019 08.47 EST

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/18/online-conspiracy-theorists-democracy

PAGE 1 of 3

Article is in BOLD; my comments are in REGULAR TYPE.

Organised conspiracy theorist networks have launched an all-out information war across Europe. At the heart of this is the QAnon movement. It expanded from the US to Europe and the UK at rapid speed, hijacking political debates on social media as well as mass protests in the streets in recent months.

"At the heart of this information war is the Qanon movement?" Wow, we just got elevated to the big time. Now we are "hijacking" political debates "as well as mass protests in the streets?" I guess the writer didn't read the stuff on the website about non-violent research. Kek.

Our new analysis at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue shows that European conspiracy theorists run increasingly sophisticated campaigns around critical junctions in national, regional and global politics. They even carried out social media operations to influence voters in German state elections, including the 2018 election in Bavaria.

Running "increasingly sophisticated campaigns?" For a group they keep trying to associate with Frazzledrip & lizard people, we seem to be doing pretty well! And have, it seems, moved into the political arena. (Although I'm not sure who this "they" really is at this point.)

'''The QAnon community, which began on the message-board site 4chan, strongly overlaps with the support networks of far-right movements such as the EDL and Pegida. Most recently, it co-opted yellow vest demonstrations and boosted hardline Brexit campaigns and Tommy Robinson protests.

Well, there's at least a grain of truth here; most anons support the YV movement. I'm not sure that we have "co-opted" the yellow vest demonstrations; it's not like most of the YV's are sporting "Q" logos on their backs. Besides, that's an insult to the brave people who march every Saturday in France and elsewhere. They rose up on their own, not because of secret orders from Q. And as for EDL (the English Defense League) and Pegida, I've never even heard of the latter. (Maybe I should keep up better.) The last line is the only one I can relate to, having written at least five posts pointing out unbiased media coverage of both Brexit and Tommy Robinson. Had no idea the UK press would get their knickers in such a twit over well-documented critiques of their biased coverage, given the typically nasty treatment they accord dissidents like Robinson, Neil Farage, and Katy Hopkins.

>>5260479

Stop the Online Conspiracy Theorists before they break democracy: line by line

PAGE 2 of 3

By injecting conspiratorial narratives into these movements, its members can leverage existing networks and alter their political direction. A commonly used tactic is to combine conspiricist hashtags with those of viral campaigns and trending topics. The scale this generates is disproportional enough to distort public perception: In 2018, ISD identified close to 30m uses of the word “QAnon” across Twitter, YouTube and forums such as Reddit and 4chan.

Lots of good ideas here for ways to influence a European election. Thanks! And thanks for lettin us know how impressed you are with the number of Q followers there are on the Net (even though Q says the number's too low).

Ahead of the European parliamentary elections this May, the virality of conspiracy theories about the EU and the political establishment provides a fertile playground for populist parties. Groups such as Q Europe, Q Britannia and Q Deutschland are already gearing up to influence voting behaviour in a crucial election that will determine the future of the European project.

Great news! Groups I wasn't even aware of are becoming politically active in a peaceful way. Way to go, patriots!

QAnon adherents organise themselves on encrypted apps such as Discord and Telegram, linking the American-centred conspiracy theory to local contexts. Emotionally manipulative and tightly organised campaigns have allowed them to gather tens of thousands of supporters across Europe. They produce videos, disinformation databases and run trainings on meme creation and psychological warfare. QAnon even has its own currency called “Initiative Q”, which its founders want to turn into “the next bitcoin.”

Did anons have any idea there was so much going on beyond the boundaries of this board? Videos, sure, but disinformation databases? Meme creation trainings? Those Europeans are putting us to shame!

Across Europe, conspiracy theories that mix old antisemitic tropes with new ones that demonise migrants and Muslims have gained huge traction since the refugee crisis in 2015. A recent study showed that a stunning 60% of Brits believe in at least one conspiracy theory. The ideas that a cabal of global elites run the world, that there is a plot to replace white English natives with Muslim migrants and that the authorities are covering up immigration numbers are among the most commonly held.

All we have on this board are the "old" antisemitic tropes, and they're all from shills (no that our critics care). Do any Q folks demonize migrants or Muslims? Not that I noticed. We just don't want them taking over our country.

In QAnon forums, it is hard to overlook the holy mess of logical fallacies and contradictions. Its adherents link the MI6, Facebook and the Rothschilds to the Vatican, Hollywood, the Nazis, the Illuminati and aliens in order to explain that climate change is a hoax, the Holocaust never happened, the world is run by paedophiles, Satanists and cannibals and that the Queen is a direct descendent of prophet Mohammed. And yet this virtual cosmos of absurd stories can inspire real-world incidents: just last month, a QAnon supporter killed his brother, whom he thought was a lizard. “Can me and my pals Raid MI6 DVD & GO2 Offices in London ourselves please”, another QAnon believer suggested in a private messaging app.

Interesting paragraph. The writer critiques Qresearch for a lack of logic and then proceeds to use pure ridicule to destroy our crediblity. Then mistakes a joke for a serious proposal. Liberals: just no sense of humor.

>>5260485

Stop the Online Conspiracy Theorists before they break democracy: line by line

PAGE 3 of 3

Beyond inspiring attacks on perceived enemies, the spread of conspiracy theories can, in the long-term, sow societal divisions and undermine confidence in democratic processes, institutions and representatives. At a time when distrust in the political establishment runs exceptionally high, it is easy to tap into existing suspicions and fill information gaps with fabricated news and distorted statistics.

Must be hard for EU supporters to see their little projects disintegrating before their eyes. Now they're blaming us for "sowing division." But they did that themselves but usurping the rights of the people and expecting them to take it lying down.

The architecture of social media platforms plays into the hands of extreme fringe groups by pushing users towards sensationalist content. The tech firms’ business models and algorithms are geared to maximise the time users spend on their platforms. Governments and big tech firms are slowly starting to push back against the systematic diffusion of disinformation. Last month, YouTube announced that it would change its algorithms to stop recommending so many conspiracy theory videos. Meanwhile, the NGO OpenAI decided that it would not release its “deepfakes for text” tool because its researchers feared misuse. And the release on Monday of the UK parliament’s DCMS select committee report demonstrates just how seriously the problems are being taken.

Translation: "We're gonna get you back, you lousy twerps!!!"

But solutions to these problems need to be identified. Policies should require greater algorithmic transparency and accountability from tech firms in order to protect future elections. Instead of focusing exclusively on the removal of extreme content and accounts, it will be necessary to regulate against harmful infrastructures and malicious behaviours. As early adopters of new technologies, extremists will otherwise continue to exploit the latest innovations of cyberspace.

Blah, blah, blah…..

Julia Ebner, an Austrian journalist, is a researcher at the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Thanks for that last bit of information! "Institute for Strategic Dialogue," eh? Sounds awfully Deep Statish. Has lots of frens, too–like the Strong Cities Network. Search on "Strong Cities & Agenda 21," and all sorts of interesting stuff comes up involving the UN and its plans for our future.

On a whim, I searched on Alliance for Security Democracy and Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and retrieved an impressive-looking document entitled "Policy Blueprint for Countering Authoritarian Interference in Democracies." Cites the ISD in several places. https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/a-lrosenberger-080118.PDF

When she's not slamming Q movement, Julia Ebner spends her time looking "fringe" groups. Co-authored "The Fringe Insurgency: Connectivity, Convergence and Mainstreaming of the Extreme Right." p-content/uploads/2017/10/The-Fringe-Insurgency-221017_2.pdf. Their glossary is capped, so you can learn how the ISD defines redpilling, alt-right, meme, Reddit (!), SJ, and shilling (just to name a few).

''The Institute for Strategic Dialogue richly DESERVES A DIGG!!''

>>5260495

I ran into it on my own, only then realize Q called it out!

>>5260053

Nice catch, anon!

Sufi mystics are also weavers, but I doubt that Comey is calling for some kind of mystical assistance…..

>>5260479

There's a paragraph that should be BOLDED that's not: the second to the last. Begins "The QAnon community…." That's part of the article not my commentary. Kek.

>>5260591

That is very true. People have to be educated to grow out of groupthink mentality. We use schools to do the opposite at the moment.

>>5260523

If you would like these (from Q 2784) , here they are:

>>5260465 Stop the Online Conspiracy Theorists before they break democracy

>>5260479, >>5260485, >>5260491 Stop the Online Conspiracy Theorists before they break democracy: line by line

>>5260523

Sure, I'll second >>5260511

>>5260618

Re first paragraph:

She mixes up logical fallacies with experiential implausibilities. Not a philosopher.

Unfortunately, I think the killing happened, the guy is mentally ill

>>5260664

Mass media used known techniques to move groups in particular ways, as you probably know. People are very sensitive to being separated out from the group, and they take advantage of that.

>>5260665

I hope the truckies get a hearing. Trudeau and Macron are like twins separated at birth. Both weak creepy guys.

>>5260672

How do you get your breads confirmed?

Is it religious rite of passage?

Were the United Bakers & Donut Makers Union really the ones who offed Jimmy Hoffa?

>>5260776

Does this mean you won't answer my questions?

Kek.