If the Truth Hurts, change it…

Just when you think things can’t get any more nuts than they are, something new comes along. Just as I was posting about Students for an Orwellian Society, I heard about these guys. There’s a great article about them on Slate, where it talks about how this shadowy organisation works. One part of the article deals with a ‘theoretical scenario’ based on some work in an unnamed asian country that, according to Slate, sounds a lot like recent events in Nepal:

In another doomsday scenario, the company assists a newly democratic country in South Asia as it struggles with corrupt politicians and a rising insurgency that threatens to bubble over into bloody revolution. SCL steps in to assist the benevolent king of “Manpurea” to temporarily seize power.

So what exactly does SCL do for a living? According to their web site, SCL does the following.

* PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
* PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS
* CIVIL AFFAIRS
* HOMELAND SECURITY
* MEDIA MANAGEMENT

Hmmm… Psychological Operations… yummm….

Here’s something from a recent press release that describes their approach.

Strategic communication differs from orthodox commercial communication (such as advertising, public relations, etc.) in that it concentrates on the behavioural outcome of the communication not just nebulous concepts such as brand awareness.

For example, commercial advertising might encourage an audience to hold very favourable attitudes about a Ferrari, but that does not necessarily lead to all those with a favourable attitude buying a Ferrari. (Similarly, despite being very impressed by an advert for nappies, a childless couple won’t buy Pampers.) However, if – for instance – you require a significant number of the electorate to vote for you, it is far more important to get their vote than it is for them merely to hold a favourable attitude towards you.

Broadly speaking, commercial communication is measured by attitudinal results (considering one brand better than another) and strategic communication is measured by results (votes, changes in health behaviour, troop surrenders). Strategic communication is particularly important in politics, military operations and humanitarian programmes, where the outcomes are often the difference between life and death.

Remember, War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength. Big Brother Loves You!