You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December, 2007.
CTheory.net has an interesting look at the efforts of local bloggers, artists, and electronic musicians to revitalize inner-city Detroit. They bring with them a cyberpunk aesthetic that seems like a perfect fit for Motor City’s ghost-in-the-machine, all-purpose urban burnout. Unfortunately, that may be part of the problem. As Marcel O’Gorman inquires in the piece, do the digerati see themselves as part of a grassroots urban revival or as digital Hunter S. Thompsons, liveblogging from the 9th circle? Do they seek to construct something new and exciting with the aid of local artists and musicians, or use Detroit as a outsized canvas for their own narcissism? O’Gorman has guarded optimism, but his piece reveals a profound ambivalence. Read the rest of this entry »
Shlok Vaidya has a nice description of Naxalite information operations on the ground level:
Television. A short film revealing the harsh reality of what is termed “anti-Maoist operations” and the general corruption of state forces, including execution style killings of suspects and institutional framing efforts and cover ups. SMS text messaging. Spreading disinformation by spoofing sender data to senior government officials as well as threats to life and property. Extensive leaflet distribution campaign.
There’s an interesting parallel here to the tactics used by anti-globalization and anti-consumerist organizations. What Shlok describes here reminds me very much of the tactics used by Adbusters, Banksy, or if you want to go farther back, the Situationists. The idea is to disrupt your adversary by taking the basic tools of his metanarrative and using them against him. However, what differentiates Naxalite information ops from those of the anti-globalist left is that they aim to convince–they are not intended purely for artistic or shock value.
It was my impression that the Estonians merely weathered the storm. But in this kind of conflict success is difficult to define. So perhaps some cheerleading is warranted.
The first step to victory is having a common definition of the strategy. That’s why articles like these are so important. One thing I’d like to know is if terrorist groups and insurgents in the Middle East perceive IO as a doctrinal concept or a small element of a greater holistic effort.
Recent Comments