Tootfinder

Opt-in global Mastodon full text search. Join the index!

@detondev@social.linux.pizza
2026-03-21 03:47:39

Learning how to psyop Third World populations with Manual of The Mercenary Soldier
archive.org/details/PaulBalorM

Your best psy-op is that which seems to demonstrate to the enemy as well as your people that the enemy has lost control of the situation. You can be pretty sure that by the | time you go in, the bad guys have had things going their way. And you’re not going to reverse that with words alone.

Remember . . . you’re not going up against an open Western society or one of the West’s sloppy, half-assed Third World client states. You’re going up against rebels or a regime which is totalitarian in…
tunity to “build bridges to the people.” Unfortunately, building that bridge takes too long and it is too easily blown. Your opposition gives lip service to civic action— but he practices “grab ’em by the balls and yank. Their hearts and minds will follow.” And damned if they don’t!
Sample psy-op:

Your conflicts always throw up little local despots in the countryside. They may be the rural police chief, a militia captain, guerrilla leader, even a local religious figure. They may be on either side. Or no side. What they have in com¬ mon is that they’re vicious, detested by the local people they oppress. Select one. Take him out. Visibly. Hoist his body in the village square.

And, of course, broadcast the fact. Now you’re really in the hearts-and-minds business.

Your best…
Not for you any cold, colorless recitation of facts. You’re not the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Marti. . . . Come on strong. Speak passionate truths! Feel free to indulge in color, symbolism, folklore, histrionics, and invective! You have to not only inform—you also must entertain.

But never forget: Third worlders are realists. They have to be. They’ve been exposed to the application of raw power all their lives. They want to survive. They’ll accom¬ modate whoever is able to app…
@roland@devdilettante.com
2026-03-18 01:28:09

moved to blacksky from bluesky. same handle @credibleexit.com aka blacksky.community/profile/did