Bold New Gov’t Anti-Terror Initiative: Online Trolling
- Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:39pm by
Liz Klimas
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Indonesian students attend a "Viral Peace" workshop. (Photo: U.S. State Department/Flickr)
A member of the U.S. State Department has begun a new anti-terror initiative that is unlike others taken on by the U.S. government. It’s name: “Viral Peace.”
What’s the plan? Wired explains that instead of engaging in traditional warfare, this initiative is going to try to “annoy, frustrate and humiliate denizens of online extremist forums.”
Wired reports the program has already begun and was launched by Shahed Amanullah, a senior technology advisor with the State Department. In an interview with Wired, Amanullah said the goal is to use “logic, humor, satire, [and] religious arguments, not just to confront [extremists], but to undermine and demoralize them.”
Jarret Brachman, who studies online jihadism, thinks the tactic could work as those on the forums are often used by “massive narcissists [who] need constant ego boosts.” If you can get rid of the ”momentum, the anger and the virulence“ on such forums by balancing it with counterterror ”trolling,” some of the most verbose participants could dwindle off.
Viral Peace is still in its fledgling stages though — it doesn’t even have an official strategic plan yet. There’s also the fact that many of these contrary posts on forums could be taken down by administrators, as Will McCants, formerly with the State Department and now with the CNA think tank, told Wired.
McCants said the strategy could work if it targeted forums where terrorists were trying to recruit members.
So where is Viral Peace now? According to Wired, the program with a small budget is in the process of training “good trolls.” Meetings have been held in several countries to brainstorm. Amanullah believes that for the “trolls” to be credible, they will need to come from those who know the lingo best. As Wired explains it, the program hopes to “let Muslims in various foreign countries figure out which message boards to troll and how to properly troll them. Americans won’t know, say, the Tagalog-language Internet better than Filipinos; and as outsiders, they won’t have the credibility necessary to actually make an impact.”
Trolls in training. Indonesian students brainstorm at Viral Peace meeting. (Photo: U.S. State Department/Flickr)
Amanullah said this program is meant to supplement existing counterterror efforts — not replace them.
“I want to prove you can do small, inexpensive, high-impact projects that don’t just talk about the problem but solve the problem,” he said to Wired. “And solve it the right way: not with the government’s heavy hand but by empowering local people to do what they already know to do but don’t know how.”
Read Wired’s full article for more details on Viral Peace here.
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Comments (81)
RightUnite
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:29pmThey’ll be easy enough to pick out and report.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:36pmBrought to you by the same government as FAST AND FURIOUS?
Report Post »smokeysmoke
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:38pmwho has ever read a HUFF POST message board…. this is not a new idea
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:47pmthey should name it “Turn Brother Against Brother” or “Out-sourcing Alinsky”
Report Post »WAKEUPUSA2012
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:49pmHere it comes.
Do you think the will only be on Al CIA Da I mean Al Qadea sites? No. They will be on this website they will be on planet.infowars.com and sites like oathkeepers.org. Trolling 911 truth sites trolling patriot sites. Thats the new enemy. The State Dept says returning vets are a national security threat. They sent flashed out to police depts all over the country. The domestic propaganda ban has been lifited in the 2012 NDAA. Patriots are the new enemy.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:18pmWe owe the rag heads nothing. If they do not like this country, then they can leave the way they came in.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:17pmSpeak out and speak loud. Do not ever quit. They want you silenced.
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:00pmTrying to silence us ‘Blazers’ is like spending the night in a field yelling at the crickets to shut up. It’s just impossible to silence them…or us. I say bring it!!! :D
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:16pmNo one asked them to tune in to places they do not like. If you don’t like it leave it. Just like our country. Your young mouths mean nothing to us. We will always say what we want if we have to send up smoke signals. Take your stupidity back to the dunes. You are in America or horning in on American activities. You have Nothing to say about it. If you do not want your feelings hurt stay away from where they will be. We are not living to pamper you and your friends.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:14pmWhat else is new. They have been doing it. We know what to do. They are nothing but fodder for the Islamists. They have to do their little parts, you know.
Report Post »Buckeye4ABO
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:06pmHow much do you want to bet that the dude with the “Sarah Palin is XYZ Click For Proof!” garbage who is always accusing people of doing precisely what is mentioned in the article on news boards all over the net was their first experiment… Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen him in a while…..
Report Post »D-Fence
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:03pmAs long as they do it from their Indonesian basements, and not American basements.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:42pmExtremist forums? By this governments definition, that would be us. Ya think they’re already here?
Uh – yeah.
Silversmith
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:40pm@Silversmith
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:42pm
Extremist forums? By this governments definition, that would be us. Ya think they’re already here?
Uh – yeah.
Silversmith
Report Post »***
Those were my exact thoughts before I’d read 3 paragraphs. Pair this with the latest executive order and are they trying to get us looking over our shoulders?
socialism.rocks
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:22pmthere is more tracking software on the blaze then any-site i have ever been on…
so what if the government tracks you teaparty nut jobs –
hey government you can track me all you want all day every-day i am not a enemy of the republic
did you know that the government has saved every-tweet every-political blog- terabytes of it….
yep the library of congress saves the blaze-datamining is wonderful
Report Post »everything you said will be recorded forever-for anyone to read ha ha ha
WAKEUPUSA2012
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:54pmsocialism.rocks
Your one sick dude. You knw all about the government tracking and your happy about it? Just so you know, you will never have this country. Socialism and communism and everyother ism will fail. You might be happy about that health care law. You might be happy the government is coming after us “right wingers” but we arent. And as much as they are watching, we are watching right back.
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:30pmMost of the people they end up trolling will probably be in the white house, including Hussein!!!!
Report Post »salvawhoray
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:29pmMedia matters keep kicking me out because they say i’m trolling.
Report Post »I say the same at every site but from some reason it’s not allowed at media matters.
I guess the truth isn’t welcome there.
Lothmar
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:36pmIt’s in the name for them; ‘Media’ matters, not ‘truth’. Media doesn’t need to be true to be considered prevalent.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:42pm@salvawhoray
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:29pm
Media matters keep kicking me out because they say i’m trolling.
Report Post »I say the same at every site but from some reason it’s not allowed at media matters.
I guess the truth isn’t welcome there
***
Duh! What was your first clue?
The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:04pmMedia matters spends night and day watching and listening to conservatives, leaning forward in their chairs with batted breath and a notepad ready, to record anything that can be surgically taken out of context.
Of all the troll Soros groups, they annoy me the most.
Report Post »Nickallsopp
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:13pmCool finally we can piss off the terrorist by talking **** to them. I do it everyday to for good laughs. LMAO! Od course i just talk normal people about everyday situations. Maybe i should look a jihadist website just talk ****.
Report Post »JimL
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:10pmGuv to reward propagandists following the final election.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:06pmThat explains Rosie Ellen & Encinom.
Report Post »wannabelots
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:42pmI had to sign up to say the same thing!
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:06pmI think they unleashed a few of those trolls right here on the Blaze.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:30pmOh, they’ve been here for a while… They’ve been pretty quiet lately though…
Report Post »TEIN
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:46pmThey are only quiet, because their monthly allotment of the stimulus package is late…..
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:58pm@TEIN
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:46pm
They are only quiet, because their monthly allotment of the stimulus package is late…
Report Post »***
More likely they’re on strike because they were docked for the time they were without electrical power!
The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:11pmI think phillyatheist is banned. JZS likes to float around a variety of topics in a random fashion.
Moderationisbest is probably the worst. His den is in the faith topics mostly, which is both good and bad. (I understand not feeding he trolls, but if we can’t counteract his venom and we lose the faith topics, it doesn’t matter what else we have.)
And socialism.rocks comes and goes, but he’s an intellectual lightweight. He’s fun to see picked apart.
And encinom, who isn’t around as much these days.
There are other posters who are liberal, but mostly benign like Bruce P. or Jrook, but I don’t honk anybody takes them seriously.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:04pmMaybe you would use Atheist arguments to make them realize their living in a world of lies which is why more people are becoming Atheist overtime. i guess use science and logic to show there wrong. i think we need some folks for some of the christian extremists on the blaze. religion is a world of lies and unproven forces used to make someone else submit to your will like goverment.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:45pm@salvawhoray
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:29pm
Media matters keep kicking me out because they say i’m trolling.
Report Post »I say the same at every site but from some reason it’s not allowed at media matters.
I guess the truth isn’t welcome there
***
You forgot the quotation marks and the george soros citation! Wouldn’t want you arrested for that.
Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:52pm@Individualism
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:04pm
Maybe you would use Atheist arguments to make them realize their living in a world of lies which is why more people are becoming Atheist overtime. i guess use science and logic to show there wrong. i think we need some folks for some of the christian extremists on the blaze. religion is a world of lies and unproven forces used to make someone else submit to your will like goverment
Report Post »****
Sorry, my copy and paste didn’t work on that last one, This is the item I meant was the george soros quote!
taxpro4u03
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:07amMe don‘t care what ’stripe religion’ one has free choice to exercise, so long as it doesn’t trespass MY right not to have it shoved down my throat. No disrespect to those who practice the Mormon faith, but we used to have a saying: What’s the difference between a Freightliner (18-wheeler) and a Jehovah’s Witness? You can close the door on a Jehovah’s Witness… Thomas Jefferson was NOT a ‘christian.’ He was a Deist. Vast difference, and rightly so. Me also thinks God is weary of being called down on all sides of an argument. Perhaps the most feral of critters are politicians, bureaucrats, crony capitalists and their enablers (bankster gangsters) The best defense is a good offense. When the People‘s ’opportunity‘ to participate in the game via ’regulation’ and statutory exclusion – I’m guessing a new Magna Carta will present itself. The pursuit of happiness doesn’t necessarily mean the end-game of who dies with the most toys. BTW, Jefferson died in DEBT up to his eyeballs. Study up on how his beloved Monticello was ‘saved’ by ‘fate.’
Report Post »Watcher1952
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:03pmAnother waste of tax payer money to accomplish nothing……when will these so called smart people learn that you can not apese these radicals……they live by the sword and they die the same way……STOP TRYING TO BE FRIENDS
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:58pmWill the paid trolls here on the Blaze look at this initiative as future competition?
Report Post »MrKnowItAll
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:54pmIt‘s a Counter Attack from the Obama’s. Now they will say this is why they need Radical Muslims in the White House.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:49pm@MrKnowItAll
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:54pm
It‘s a Counter Attack from the Obama’s. Now they will say this is why they need Radical Muslims in the White House
Report Post »***
I take it they can‘t provoke the right to civil war before the election so they’ll bring a bunch behind us to provoke the islamists to attack us!
MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:51pm“Viral Peace.” sounds like a ****** with STD’s
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:56pmHook-er is bad…will prostitute fly?
Report Post »The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:13pm“viral peace” sounds like the “chaotic good” OWS and anonymous tried to bring about. I don’t like seeing good prospects contaminated by wrongful tactics
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:51pm“massive narcissists [who] need constant ego boosts.”…Hey, it’s not just for jhiadists! I could name a few posters around here that would fit the bill…
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:50pmHow exactly do you use logic with a jihadist / terrorist / leftist? That is a like a foreign language to them or a crucifix to a vampire – isn’t that right encinomoron?
Report Post »Calm Voice of Reason
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:47pmThis is no different than many other “hearts and minds” approaches and, as far as I am concerned, likely to be the most effective means of fighting a “War on Terror”. We can nuke the entire Middle East into glass and that would only further aggression. The first thing any dictatorship does is to take control of the media in order to control the free flow of ideas precisely because reason and logic easily dismantle political ideology extreme enough to drive a person to violence on this scale.
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:57pmReason, I was listening to an interview a talk-show host was conducting with an Israeli representative, and the guest stated that Islamofacism is based on fear; ie, that they wouldn’t have so many members if the “penalties” for not being one weren’t so “terminal”; that they derive their strength by imposing fear.
He assumed that if Mecca were to be “turned into glass” as you say, the survivors would be instant Christians, in that “our” God overcame “their” prophet.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:56pm@Calm Voice of Reason
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:47pm
This is no different than many other “hearts and minds” approaches and, as far as I am concerned, likely to be the most effective means of fighting a “War on Terror”. We can nuke the entire Middle East into glass and that would only further aggression. The first thing any dictatorship does is to take control of the media in order to control the free flow of ideas precisely because reason and logic easily dismantle political ideology extreme enough to drive a person to violence on this scale.
Report Post »****
Do you mean like last weeks executive order on communication. Look at the misuse of so many laws and policies and tell me, do you trust those in charge?
Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:01pm@woodyee
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:57pm
Reason, I was listening to an interview a talk-show host was conducting with an Israeli representative, and the guest stated that Islamofacism is based on fear; ie, that they wouldn’t have so many members if the “penalties” for not being one weren’t so “terminal”; that they derive their strength by imposing fear.
He assumed that if Mecca were to be “turned into glass” as you say, the survivors would be instant Christians, in that “our” God overcame “their” prophet.
Report Post »***
And I know millions of us who agree fully. (At one time the Pentagon was in that camp.)
CatB
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:46pm“massive narcissists [who] need constant ego boosts.”
Sounds like Obama. White House dot gov … when they changed the former Presidents bios and added Obama in .. anyone agree?
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:53pmNah, because “massive narcissist” is actually and understatement for Obama. I don‘t believe there’s a definition that’s been created yet to fit his ego.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:02pmCatB:
Agreed.
One thing to figure as well, with this coming from the State Department, and its mention of dealing with extremist groups websights, you can all but be assured the admin will use it on the tea parties and church groups standing against Obama and his fundamental transformations.
Recall what Napoletano declared, that the tea parties, conservatives, former military members, christians, freedom lovers, constitution supporters, small government supporters, etc. are to be considered as potential domestic terrorists and as extremists.
This is a package against the US Citizens wrapped in a package that makes it palatable for most people.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:05pmLOL .. SUPERSONIC narcissist? Infinite narcissist? How about Supernova ..that kind of ties in with Government Motors ;-)
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:08pm@CatB
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:46pm
“massive narcissists [who] need constant ego boosts.”
Sounds like Obama. White House dot gov … when they changed the former Presidents bios and added Obama in .. anyone agree?
Report Post »***
I definitely do!
Stelex
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:46pmThey are going to tease them, thats the plan. Holy Shith
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:05pm@Stelex
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:46pm
They are going to tease them, thats the plan. Holy Shith
Report Post »****
Was it only the last 2 months a journalist was detained for trying to cover the state department‘s meeting on implementation of the u n ’s new law against doing anything to provoke anyone else to anger or violence?
woodyee
Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:45pmIt may be like taking a powder puff to a feral hog, but at least the Left-wing tactic of “silencing your better halves” is being put to a more constructive use.
Report Post »