If you knew that I was trying to manipulate you into acting a certain way that benefitted me and harmed you, how would you respond? “manipulation or power struggle begins on the psychological level first, so being aware that this is going on would make a difference” (Chris) “Recognize it first of all, make sure I don't go where you're trying to push me, and try to outthink you and turn your tactics back on you.” (Alba) “I wouldn't want to react the way you wanted me to and give you what you want” (Lisa)That is where is was going—we have all been manipulated, but generally we have been most manipulated by people we trust or people we don’t suspect. Once we realize we are ebing manipulated our natural tendancy is to “not fall for it” With terrorism we aknowledge that the terrorists motive is manipulation “Terrorism is the calculated use or threat of use of force to influence the target population” The definition of psychological operation is almost identical, except instead of force you are using psychological influence. The specific point is, that we know that the enemy is trying to manipulate us at the psychological level but we never address terrorism at the psychological level…at least not as part of a national strategy. If someone needs you to be afraid for their plan against you to work, the last thing you should show is fear –of any type.
What is the difference between a bomb exploding on a plane or in the security queue? Poorly worded question. “Well for one there is the level of security breached. Obviously if there is a bomb on a plane, security in general failed.” (Aly) brings up a good point, and probably the only reason that a terrorist would try to bomb a plane was to show that he could defeat security. “None .... you have made your point here. We spend all this money on security and equipment and yet the terrorist could detonate a bomb in the security line rather than in the plane. And if we change how we do security lines than they would have another success.” (Lisa) I actually think it is worse in the line than on the plane, because now our history has shown that we have to change what we are doing—but the problem with security as pointed out by Sheri is that it requires law abiding citizens to do what they are told, and what they are told invariably ends up in a large gathering of people stuck at a check point. A lot of people translated difference to where would the most damage/casualties occur—I think you need to look at what causes us to react the most. Economic damage will be the same—you will be as likely not to fly if the plane gets bombed as if the terminal gets bombed.
Are you more concerned with your life or your childs? Every one answered (that did answer) child either directly or indirectly (protect my ability to protect my child) “But maybe this is pointing out that we have to think about what is the right strategy to take in the long run against terrorism, not the short term, because the fight's going to be going on for a while.” (Alba) Pretty close to what I think. Generally we want things to be better for our children than they wee for us. Assuming that our children will feel the same way we have to honor their wishes and plan for their children—etc. I, however, would remove the word terrorism from her response. What is the right strategy in the long run? Keeping in mind we have this small group of chuckle heads trying to manipulate us, which leads into the next question
What has a greater return on a dollar security or education? “(I’d)rather spend the money on educating the people what to do and what to look for than to spend the money on half-assed security measures...” (Brenda) Everyone answered education. If we want the world to be a better place for our children we need to invest where we get the greatest return. If, in response to 9-11 we had dumped $50 billion into education and social services instead of airline security, we would have greatly improved our children’s future and made the terrorists go “Huh, didn’t see that coming”
Who does/did combating terrorism the best? Always get a few that say Israel—now, I apologize as this is a trick question. I believe Israel has been one of the worst as evidenced by their inability to stop terrorism—and, I fact, I would argue, their actions which have perpetuated of it. I believe that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Ghandi were the best at it. As far as nation states go, I think you need to look, as many did, at where there isn’t terror to get an idea of who does it best. Combating terror is about winning—not fighting or killing.