Thread by @MMBrussell

In between events of this ongoing self-coup, there’s been mention by sociologists and historians, as well as within #OSINT of “Cultural Engineering”.

Social Engineering targets the individual.
Cultural Engineering targets the group.

1/ It’s about giving direction to behaviour

2/ We tend to either dismiss the power of social and cultural engineering as a result of our cultural mythologies (individualism, exceptionalism), or think about it only in terms of economics.

Our perception is a construct of external stimuli.
Our perception directs behaviour.

3/ The simplest method of shaping perception through external stimuli is narrative. But what is narrative?

4/ Narrative is a construct of Meaning + Identity + Content + Structure + Target.

This presents a problem, it means that the designer of the narrative controls how the target or audience perceives its meaning. Shaping perception it gives direction to behaviour.

5/ Narrative is a double edged blade. It can be a force for good, but all too easily it can be applied for evil. The challenges facing us in these modern times are in many ways a result of the presence of narratives within a setting of cultural engineering.

Narrative Warfare.

6/ Narrative Warfare in its simplest form, is the conflict between the meaning of information that an adversary wishes target groups to adopt/ internalize and the meaning, friendly forces intend.

In our society, Narrative Warfare isn’t just present. It’s also one-sided.

7/ If you want to know more about narrative, cultural engineering and narrative warfare, here’s a book tip: goodreads.com/book/show/4600…