Delphi Technique at work in this board?!?!

Hello fellow conspirators. I want people to be aware of the disinformation war going on in the "Area 51 and other Facilities" board. If this has not become obvious already then perhaps after reading this nice article it will!

Source: www.eagleforum.org...

Here are some interesting excerpts I found:

In group settings, the Delphi Technique is an unethical method of achieving consensus on controversial topics. It requires well-trained professionals, known as "facilitators" or "change agents," who deliberately escalate tension among group members, pitting one faction against another to make a preordained viewpoint appear "sensible," while making opposing views appear ridiculous.

The setting or type of group is immaterial for the success of the technique. The point is that, when people are in groups that tend to share a particular knowledge base, they display certain identifiable characteristics, known as group dynamics, which allows the facilitator to apply the basic strategy.

The facilitators or change agents encourage each person in a group to express concerns about the programs, projects, or policies in question. They listen attentively, elicit input from group members, form "task forces," urge participants to make lists, and in going through these motions, learn about each member of a group. They are trained to identify the "leaders," the "loud mouths," the "weak or non-committal members," and those who are apt to change sides frequently during an argument.

Suddenly, the amiable facilitators become professional agitators and "devil's advocates." Using the "divide and conquer" principle, they manipulate one opinion against another, making those who are out of step appear "ridiculous, unknowledgeable, inarticulate, or dogmatic." They attempt to anger certain participants, thereby accelerating tensions. The facilitators are well trained in psychological manipulation. They are able to predict the reactions of each member in a group. Individuals in opposition to the desired policy or program will be shut out.

The Delphi Technique works. It is very effective with parents, teachers, school children, and community groups. The "targets" rarely, if ever, realize that they are being manipulated. If they do suspect what is happening, they do not know how to end the process. The facilitator seeks to polarize the group in order to become an accepted member of the group and of the process. The desired idea is then placed on the table and individual opinions are sought during discussion. Soon, associates from the divided group begin to adopt the idea as if it were their own, and they pressure the entire group to accept their proposition.

[edit on 16-3-2007 by SocialistAgenda]

I might be one of the few out there who actually subscribe to the concept of a universal unconscious hive mind - but man, this post snapped me out of something I've been wondering for the longest time...

What is the real purpose of social interaction?

Perhaps this is where we can work out the policies and considerations of the future....blueprints before foundations, so to speak? Find the strongest of the herd for future considerations?

Wonderful concept, wonderful technique, and I'm going to start paying a lot more attention to my contributions after reading this.

If that is what's going on, I better make sure my best foot forward is moving in the right direction.

Thank you for an eye opening article.


[edit on 16-3-2007 by GENERAL EYES]

Interesting conspiratorial twist on the Delphi Technique. Too bad the author has no clue what he is talking about.

Delphi is a long established method of settling differences of opinion and reaching consensus when the viewpoints are far apart. Hundreds of thousands of people have been taught the Delphi method in business schools, management courses, government, and even the scientific research community. There are a few variations in the procedures, none of which involve the 'change agents' described above. In fact, the Delphi method, when properly employed, reduces or eliminates friction and dissension and keeps the discussion civil.

I have personally used the Delphi method to establish consensus values for a KT hierarchal analysis matrix.

[edit on 18-3-2007 by dave_54]

Thanks for the info. Sounds interesting, and a highly possible strategy for any ATS lurkers with a hidden agenda

Originally posted by dave_54
I have personally used the Delphi method to establish consensus values for a KT hierarchal analysis matrix.

Hi Dave, just out of curiosity, what's a KT hierarchal analysis matrix?

Just reading up on wikipedia and it mentions that the Delphi method can be used or misused:

Directing the flow to a predetermined goal

The Delphi Technique can also be abused to give an appearance of community input when in reality the facilitator is directing the flow to a predetermined goal.

source - wikipedia

If this is the case, it is worth bearing in mind the tips from the first article SocialistAgenda linked to:

How to Diffuse the Delphi Technique

Three steps can diffuse the Delphi Technique as facilitators attempt to steer a meeting in a specific direction.

1. Always be charming, courteous, and pleasant. Smile. Moderate your voice so as not to come across as belligerent or aggressive.

2. Stay focused. If possible, jot down your thoughts or questions. When facilitators are asked questions they don't want to answer, they often digress from the issue that was raised and try instead to put the questioner on the defensive. Do not fall for this tactic. Courteously bring the facilitator back to your original question. If he rephrases it so that it becomes an accusatory statement (a popular tactic), simply say, "That is not what I asked. What I asked was . . ." and repeat your question.

3. Be persistent. If putting you on the defensive doesn't work, facilitators often resort to long monologues that drag on for several minutes. During that time, the group usually forgets the question that was asked, which is the intent. Let the facilitator finish. Then with polite persistence state: "But you didn't answer my question. My question was . . ." and repeat your question.

Never become angry under any circumstances. Anger directed at the facilitator will immediately make the facilitator the victim. This defeats the purpose. The goal of facilitators is to make the majority of the group members like them, and to alienate anyone who might pose a threat to the realization of their agenda. People with firm, fixed beliefs, who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, are obvious threats. If a participant becomes a victim, the facilitator loses face and favor with the crowd. This is why crowds are broken up into groups of seven or eight, and why objections are written on paper rather than voiced aloud where they can be open to public discussion and debate. It's called crowd control.

source