PsyOps & Info Warfare

In this article I look at the Reticular Activating System

So why is fear so addictive and used by social media, tech, government, and big business to refocus your attention?

First, let’s look at something called the Reticular Activating System. I was looking for a way to describe this and came across this Medium article by  Tobias van Schneider titled “If you want it, you might get it. The Reticular Activating System explained” which is well worth a read and explains it as follows:

“The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is a bundle of nerves at our brainstem that filters out unnecessary information so the important stuff gets through.

The Reticular Activation System (RAS) is responsible for the phenomenon of constantly encountering a recently learned word or concept. It also explains our ability to tune out background noise but immediately focus on something related to us, like our name. As we consider the impact of Russian Information Warfare, particularly in recent elections, and the role of companies like Cambridge Analytica in shaping public opinion through data science and digital marketing techniques, it becomes clear that we need to be cautious.

These methods use behavioral psychology and machine learning to be highly effective, even resorting to unethical tactics such as data hacks to manipulate people. When we add in Confirmation Bias, echo chambers, and social bubbles, it's not surprising that so many people (ourselves included) can become entwined in a false narrative and see evidence for it everywhere. Part of this is due to how the RAS works - it helps us learn new things by forming connections between neurons through repeated exposure. This can lead to habits or even addictions, and understanding this process allows us to break negative behaviors and form new ones through repetition. However, breaking addictions is not easy; it requires forming new connections while weakening old ones through constant training and repetition.

It is well known, both on this website and on my Facebook page, as well as in many other places, how fear is used as a tactic by social media, politics, the news media, and big businesses. These systems are designed around fear because it is addictive.

When we experience different emotions such as excitement, sadness, or fear, our bodies release neuropeptides - amino acids that travel through our bloodstream. These neuropeptides search for specific neuroreceptors in our body to attach themselves to.

Without getting too scientific (since I am not a scientist), these reactions explain what happens within ourselves and others when we are exposed to manipulative marketing and communication techniques. This understanding is key in comprehending how people can become trapped in a cycle of fear, which can lead to radical beliefs becoming ingrained in individuals, groups, or society as a whole.

Each type of neuropeptide has a unique neuroreceptor that it seeks out and connects with. However, if one type of neuropeptide is being stimulated more than the others (such as those related to fear), the remaining neuroreceptors can adapt and change their shape and function to receive the same type of stimulus. This means that our bodies will crave more of the same type of stimulus to continue producing these neuropeptides in response.

In the context of our discussion today, this means that if individuals are constantly bombarded with fear-based stimuli and lack positive emotional outlets, their bodies will become dependent on that state. This is exactly what those in power want. Why? Because it is more addictive than any other emotional state. From a digital media perspective, platforms earn more money from advertisers when users spend extended periods on them, so encouraging a cycle of doom scrolling - endlessly scrolling through negative news stories - benefits them financially. As a result, the world around us becomes fragmented and filled with fear, hate, and division. Truth becomes subjective and misinformation runs rampant, damaging societies globally.

To protect ourselves, we must guard against these cycles of fear and negativity. We should examine our consumption of news media, social media, and entertainment and consider if it is all based on fear-mongering. Can we take breaks to exercise or spend time outdoors? Although this is not a self-help book, it is important to prioritize our mental and physical well-being in the face of external influences seeking to control us. Do we truly want these agents of control to have such power over our minds and bodies? I highly doubt it.t.

Secondly, it is crucial to educate others on these issues and help them truly comprehend the severity of the situation. This is not about conspiracy theories or secret societies controlling the world. It is about greed and the blind pursuit of profit, where people prioritize "Can we do it?" over "Should we do it?" in the name of staying ahead of their competitors. These actions may not be consciously malicious, but they are intentional and built into business models and technologies that focus on addictiveness and user engagement.

Thirdly, we must raise awareness of this problem to government officials and push for change in the tech industry's modus operandi. Until the incentive models of digital platforms are altered, we will continue to be held captive by them. This issue cannot be emphasized enough because it affects us all. To address pressing global issues such as climate change and social exclusivity, we must tackle this problem head-on. With so much false information and manipulation spread across the internet, it is nearly impossible to have meaningful discussions and progress on these crucial issues.

If you read my post on deflective marketing and reflexive control, you will gain a deeper understanding of why certain actors, governments, states, and agencies may benefit from creating chaos and destabilizing society. It is up to us to recognize these tactics and work towards a more stable and transparent future.

But let’s finish on a positive note because I do not want to add to the fear and loathing already running around your bloodstream. It is not all doom and gloom and many are waking up to these issues, apart from Sleepless Dystopian there is The Center for Humane Technology and the fantastic work Tristan Harris has done there including the creation of the Netflix film The Social Dilemma, the is the Open Rights Group in the UK who campaign tirelessly to protect your privacy, data rights, and digital rights and to educate both the public and government on these issues, challenging them where needed. There is the Algorithmic Justice League which is challenging racial bias in facial recognition and AI but also campaigning for technology to serve the needs of all using art and research to highlight these issues and not just a few and there is Big Brother Watch who is reclaiming privacy from the surveillance state and campaigning for free speech online.

At Sleepless Dystopian, I strive to use my skills as a writer and digital marketing expert to raise awareness about the issues surrounding privacy and manipulation. Through my posts and social media presence, I share others' work on this topic and deconstruct the narratives to shed light on the manipulative tactics being used. My background in data-driven marketing gives me a unique perspective to delve deeper into how these technologies are being utilized. However, I believe that there needs to be more focus on the behavioral communication techniques being employed to persuade and control us. While some organizations may fact-check information, they often overlook the framing bias of messaging. This is an area that I am passionate about addressing and educating people on.

There are many ways to support these causes or even start your own campaign to bring attention to these important issues. But even if you are unable to do so, educating yourself on these matters is crucial in protecting our privacy and autonomy. ------

Photo by Toni Cuenca: https://www.pexels.com/photo/jack-skelington-vinyl-figure-619419/