How To Defeat The Empire

Guest Post by Caitlin Johnstone

Airbus 'Glitch' That Went Undetected For Years Risked ...

One of the biggest and most consistent challenges of my young career so far has been finding ways to talk about solutions to our predicament in a way that people will truly hear. I talk about these solutions constantly, and some readers definitely get it, but others will see me going on and on about a grassroots revolution against the establishment narrative control machine and then say “Okay, but what do we do?” or “You talk about problems but never offer any solutions!”

Part of the difficulty is that I don’t talk much about the old attempts at solutions we’ve already tried that people have been conditioned to listen for. I don’t endorse politicians, I don’t advocate starting a new political party, I don’t support violent revolution, I don’t say that capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction and the proletariat will inevitably rise up against the bourgeoisie, and in general I don’t put much stock in the idea that our political systems are in and of themselves sufficient for addressing our biggest problems in any meaningful way.

What I do advocate, over and over and over again in as many different ways as I can come up with, is a decentralized guerrilla psywar against the institutions which enable the powerful to manipulate the way ordinary people think, act and vote.

I talk about narrative and propaganda all the time because they are the root of all our problems. As long as the plutocrat-controlled media are able to manufacture consent for the status quo upon which those plutocrats built their respective empires, there will never be the possibility of a successful revolution. People will never rebel against a system while they’re being successfully propagandized not to. It will never, ever happen.

Most people who want drastic systematic changes to the way power operates in our society utterly fail to take this into account. Most of them are aware to some extent that establishment propaganda is happening, but they fail to fully appreciate its effects, its power, and the fact that it’s continually getting more and more sophisticated. They continue to talk about the need for a particular political movement, for this or that new government policy, or even for a full-fledged revolution, without ever turning and squarely focusing on the elephant in the room that none of these things will ever happen as long as most people are successfully propagandized into being uninterested in making them happen.

It’s like trying to light a fire without first finding a solution to the problem that you’re standing under pouring rain. Certainly we can all agree that a fire is sorely needed because it’s cold and wet and miserable out here, but we’re never going to get one going while the kindling is getting soaked and we can’t even get a match lit. The first order of business must necessarily be to find a way to protect our fire-starting area from the downpour of establishment propaganda.

A decentralized guerrilla psywar against the propaganda machine is the best solution to this problem.

By psywar I mean a grassroots psychological war against the establishment propaganda machine with the goal of weakening public trust in pro-empire narratives. People only believe sources of information that they trust, and propaganda cannot operate without belief. Right now trust in the mass media is at an all-time low while our ability to network and share information is at an all-time high. Our psywar is fought with the goal of using our unprecedented ability to circulate information to continue to kill public trust in the mass media, not with lies and propaganda, but with truth. If we can expose journalistic malpractice and the glaring plot holes in establishment narratives about things like war, Julian Assange, Russia etc, we will make the mass media look less trustworthy.

By decentralized I mean we should each take responsibility for weakening public trust in the propaganda machine in our own way, rather than depending on centralized groups and organizations. The more centralized an operation is, the easier it is for establishment manipulators to infiltrate and undermine it. This doesn’t mean that organizing is bad, it just means a successful grassroots psywar won’t depend on it. If we’re each watching for opportunities to weaken public trust in the official narrative makers on our own personal time and in our own unique way using videos, blogs, tweets, art, paper literature, conversations and demonstrations, we’ll be far more effective.

By guerrilla I mean constantly attacking different fronts in different ways, never staying with the same line of attack for long enough to allow the propagandists to develop a counter-narrative. If they build up particularly strong armor around one area, put it aside and expose their lies on an entirely different front. The propagandists are lying constantly, so there is never any shortage of soft targets. The only consistency should be in attacking the propaganda machine as visibly as possible.

As far as how to go about that attack, my best answer is that I’m leading by example here. I’m only ever doing the thing that I advocate, so if you want to know what I think we should all do, just watch what I do. I’m only ever using my own unique set of skills, knowledge and assets to attack the narrative control engine at whatever points I perceive to be the most vulnerable on a given day.

So do what I do, but keep in mind that each individual must sort out the particulars for themselves. We’ve each got our own strengths and abilities that we bring to the psywar: some of us are funny, some are artistic, some are really good at putting together information and presenting it in a particular format, some are good at finding and boosting other people’s high-quality attacks. Everyone brings something to the table. The important thing is to do whatever will draw the most public interest and attention to what you’re doing. Don’t shy away from speaking loud and shining bright.

It isn’t necessary to come up with your own complete How It Is narrative of exactly what is happening in our world right now; with the current degree of disinformation and government opacity that’s too difficult to do with any degree of completion anyway. All you need to do is wake people up in as many ways as possible to the fact that they’re being manipulated and deceived. Every newly opened pair of eyes makes a difference, and anything you can do to help facilitate that is energy well spent.

Without an effective propaganda machine, the empire cannot rule. Once we’ve crippled public trust in that machine, we’ll exist in a very different world already, and the next step will present itself from there. Until then, the attack on establishment propaganda should be our foremost priority.

Reprinted with permission from Medium.com.
Support Ms. Johnstone’s work on Patreon or Paypal.

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Donkey
Donkey

You have to stand tall and not back down from uncomfortable conversations. This past friday, a client I have long suspected of being a liberal came right out and asked me why I need a gun. The conversation went as well as I could have expected it too. I did pretty well under the circumstances. After all, it was in the middle of a professional interaction. After going into it as far as I could, I ended by telling her that 1) the media’s goal is to keep her and I at odds with each other in hopes that we will hate each other’s guts and I will not be susceptible to that and 2) all politicians are in their positions because of powerful interests. Yes, even Obama I told her.

Jews And Germans
Jews And Germans

I disagree.

There are 3 master components holding any empire or hierarchy together:

1.) Control of currency
2.) Control/Distribution of food
3.) VIOLENCE or Threat of

That’s it.

She can talk about propaganda all day, but propaganda is not in the top 3 control mechanisms.

This logic is thousands of years old and usually referred to as: Money, Food and Fear – the Holy Trinity of Motivation…and Control.

Donkey
Donkey

Au contriare monfriare,

Propaganda helps keep others from trying to take over 1, 2 and 3.

Montefrio

“Others” have long since taken control of number one, and unless that control is wrested from them by means other than propaganda, we can all hold our breath until we turn purple and propagandize far and wide, but we will get exactly nowhere.

Donkey
Donkey

How did those “others” get control? Convincing propaganda perhaps?

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug

I concur with the gist of your summary, JG, though I quibble on order and think it really comes down to one thing and that it must be said that ‘raising awareness’ only works on people who care, i.e. cucks. Sheeple will never rise up. They are bred cattle of every shade that endeavor only to emulate and replace the white men of yore. Savages have a better chance at winning regime change. The writer is delusional, but I think most all of you are delusional just as you think I am. We watch the show from our computers. Carry on.

Fleabaggs

Jew.
She can’t do anything differently. Women don’t have the male trait of being willing to use violence as a solution. For them violence is due to a failure to talk it out.
I know i’ll hear from the they aren’t all like that crowd.

TampaRed

why do you say that,i thought you were transitioning?

Fleabaggs

I’m a lesbian. Why would I want to transition?

TampaRed

yeah,
i’ve called myself a male lesbian 4 many years–i was way ahead of my time since people today can identify however they want to at different times–

Fleabaggs

Red.
It’s a great line for getting a girl to flirt, or it once was. Might get me arrested for cultural appropriation now.

Tree Mike
Tree Mike

Lesbian trapped in a male body. My being from culturally advanced So. Cal., I self identified that way years ago. Wife got tired of it pretty quick. Others thought it was funny. My being over 6 ft. and 220 lb bearded tree guy made it quite convincing.

M G
M G

I know.how to use lethal force. But you are right…it is not a natural act for a woman/mother

Martel's Hammer
Martel's Hammer

Before we get to the good stuff we have to weaken the beast. I really like her point about doing what you can do and not worrying about the stuff you can’t. 4G warfare is a fluid continuum and she is doing a good job of describing the mindset. By breaking the linkage between government and people by attacking the propaganda organs we free the people to embrace freedom (or communism in most insurgencies).

It takes time and this effort has been ongoing since the Patriot Act……(Federal Laws are intentionally named as the opposite of what they actually do!).

I consistently challenge folks to step up….to the extent they are willing and able to do so. I bailed from the system when I had an opportunity and have not looked back.

Decide what your principles truly are and focus on defending them and pushing back against our no longer legitimate Federal Government.

TampaRed

jew,
your points are valid when the population is not voluntarily following the plan but present day americans are at best slightly uncomfortable,most would never consider standing up because they’re not uncomfortable enough–

22winmag - Guns now, due process later DJT 2-28-19

What would one expect from a

Marxist Aussie Bitchtard?

Montefrio

Number one is the key to nearly all else, because without it, control of everything else is made much more difficult. Money talks, bullshit walks. Punto. Propaganda is useful, but things are beyond that now. Either get control of currency or any workable medium of exchange or just try to hang on, a less desirable alternative.

Articles of Confederation

I understand and empathize with what Caitlin is saying, but the only way to win is to starve the beast. It does make sense for folks like her to fight propaganda, but that’s not what pays for the War Machine or K Street. Government is a net consumer. By removing the funding for the consumption is how the People win.

I don’t envision that happening while Americans are fat and content.

Miles Long
Miles Long

I wonder how the Amish or Mennonites will fare in the coming stupidity? I wonder if they give a rat’s ass about any of the bullshit so many are absolutely consumed by.

No garden at the new house. I doubt I could manage to keep up with one of any useful size these days. A few extra cans of food & other goodies are being stashed away each month. Salt was on sale last month so I got about 12 extra containers. The kids laughed at the amount of TP in the closet. I have about a year supply of critical meds if used carefully. A multi-fuel generator to run the well pump & HVAC intermittently is on the list. At my age & physical condition I’m leaning toward being the grey man rather than going on the offensive… psy or otherwise. Go armed & avoid crowds. Heh… old age & treachery will usually overcome youth & skill.

Aodh Macraynall
Aodh Macraynall

People miss this point she is making. Everyone is concerned with what they can’t do. “We can’t start no revolution. They’ll kill us”. “We can’t control no currency or no distribution of food.” We can’t. We can’t. We can’t. This is true. We can’t. I am not concerned with what I can’t do but with what I can. I am not concerned with what they prohibit me from doing. I am interested in what I can get away with. Any general that’s only looking at where the bullets are flying is just looking for a hill to die on. And that’s stupid. Wars aren’t won by dying; they are won by the people who are still standing. I can start right where I am. I am surrounded at work by people who are hostile to their own interests as well as mine. Even if I was not surrounded by feminist women and bug-men, I would not be blathering about “news and joos”. That’s not what the work-place is for. That said, I have been able to actually talk frankly with two or three people lately that I feel have made a change in their world-view because of some things we have talked about. Were they already on the road to changing their world-view, probably. That’s the point. We make ourselves attractive and our lives vibrant and we also determine never to back down just to be nice. We give up no ground, even if it’s in our minds. I think more people are watching us and hoping for better from us than we think. We give them a reason to follow.

I’ve lately been thinking of one of the babies in our family who is a glasses-snatcher. He’s already thrown a pair of sunglasses in the lake and now he’s after my new $400 work-pair. And what’s more, he going to get them and throw them in the river. Do you know why? Because to me, it’s work , but to him, it’s a game. He’s never going to get tired. Our enemies are the people most lacking in humour and fun. They are seeeriooous all the fucking time. And that’s got to be tiring…and boring to their friends and family. Break in. Be an extrovert. Laugh loud and often. Make them uncomfortable and their friends will forsake them. Live a life worth living and draw people after you. The ones you draw will not be the ones who persecute when they learn how you see the world. They may think your ideas are a little strange but for every soul you save from a fat, stupid, degenerate American life-style, you will have shifted the earth on its axis that much. Keep fighting.

Hardscrabble Farmer
Hardscrabble Farmer

I just read Epictetus this morning with my coffee and you’ve paraphrased him perfectly.

“If you are in fact acting in accordance with Nature, then show me.

We need to live in accordance with our nature; to laugh and love, to produce and build and through every act, and in every interaction demonstrate the pursuit happiness. That is the pursuit they spoke of and it is our duty- if we wish to live our lives with purpose- to heed that call.

bigfoot
bigfoot

Let’s see, spending money, eating, sex, entertainment, family affairs, work, chores, sleep, vacations, and hobbies take up quite a bit of the day, week, and month for most folks. What time is left is for convincing friends, co-workers, family members, and the public at large that they are damn fools. Do that while walking the dog.

bigfoot
bigfoot

A person could also undermine the system by trading fiat for gold, silver, and cryptos while being an armed person of good will. “You are the world,” as has been said by the wise.

Voltara
Voltara

Telling your friends that the media is lying will change everything? When in history didn’t the psycopaths rule?

22winmag - Guns now, due process later DJT 2-28-19

“…decentralized guerrilla psywar against the institutions which enable the powerful to manipulate the way ordinary people think, act and vote.”

-Aussie Marxist Bitchtard Columnist

Fleabaggs

22…
Doubtful she’s read about how the Brits handled that decentralized guerrilla stuff in S. Africa in 1900 and Malaysia in the 40’s. Greeks in the 50’s by the west to defeat the commies hiding in the hills.

Martel's Hammer
Martel's Hammer

Hmmmm…. Breaker Morant one of my favorites…”we shot them under rule .303!”

Learning to eat soup with a knife….the eternal struggle against insurgency.

Michael
Michael

From England . . .I echo your thoughts, Caitlin. I’m going to copy and paste your text for everyone I meet to read. Well done and thank you.

Not Sure

I remember a wise saying that to someone who is a hammer every problem is a nail, or something like that. (just let him go, he’s on a roll).
Anyway, in this case, Caitlin is right for her perspective. As a journalist, you have the soapbox already in place to make your point at deflating the media’s lies and hypocrisy. But as a non journalist, my soap box is actually a matchbox and as such, I have very little influence in shifting public opinion by exposing media BS.
Which brings me to my question; what can I do? As I have no chain of command in place to follow orders, I cannot rise up with an army of others to make any great change in the direction the country is going. Also, with one life to offer, any attempt to make a statement will be lost or buried by the media who would be careful to not create any martyrs for the resisters to government control.
So, all it seems I can do is watch, prepare and wait, but when I see the need to act, it will probably already be too late to do anything to change anything; only survive and hope the next form of government will be less restrictive than the current one.

Martin
Martin

Step One to escape of the corporate empire’s propaganda machine: Observe that the empire runs on money & credit. What you can do is starve the beast by minimizing spending : If you have debt pay it down, if you do not then don’t add any. You do not need 70% of the crap you buy. Then consider minimizing earning too, work to live rather than live to work.

Fleabaggs

Iv’e been doing that for years and they keep getting stronger. Got any other ideas?

Bruce Wales
Bruce Wales

Already await opportunities to AMBUSH THE LIES with truth.
In addition, I believe every movement has had it’s music.
Old Testament Psalms. Reformation hymns. Sixties protest catalogue.
As singer-songwriter I write declare principles , to encourage freedom attitudes, swaywith singalong choruses.
Example:

MARJORIE GREEN
Bruce Wales 1/16/21 9:00 am

Intro
B. F#. E. F#
E. F#. B. F#.
1.
B. F#
Tell us all your stories, People
E
Tell us what is true
B. F#. E
How you’ll fight the forest fires of lies
B. F#
It’s a conflagration, People
E
‘NWhat you’re (all) gonna do.
B. F. B
(But) We all know the truth will never die

2
B. F#
Tell us your old glories, People
E
‘NHow you’re gonna fight
B. F#. E
(But we) Got to trust in YOU to save America
B. F#
How much did they pay you, People
E
To sell away Our Rights?
B. F#. E
(Was it) Gambl-ers of Wall Street, (or the) valley of silico——n?
CHORUS
B. F#. E. F#
Ain’t nobody like our Marjorie Green
B. F#. E. F#
Nothin’ (like a) new broom to sweep up clean
B. F#. E
Tell us, Georgia are you feeling’ keen?
E. F#. B. E. F#
Ain’t nobody like your Marjorie Green

INSTRUMENTAL (see intro)
3
B. F#
Tell us like we’re children, People
E
Like we’ll misunderstand
B. F#. E
Dial up the pomp and vitriol
B. F#
Who are you convincing, People
E
(That) You’re taken down the right man
B. F#. E. G
Who betrayed whom – and WHO got what’s been stole?
CHORUS
C. G. F
Ain’t nobody like (our) Marjorie Green
C. G. F
Nothin’ (like a) new broom to sweep up clean
C. G. F
Thank you Georgia for sendin’ out Marjorie Green
F. G. C
Ain’t nobody like our Marjorie Green

C. G. F
Thank you, Georgia for sending’ out Marjorie Green
F. G. C
Ain’t nobody like our Marjorie Green

OR

NO EVIDENCE
BruceWales©️1/23/21. 1:15pm

We have sufficient evidence
To prove there is no evidence
To look for any …..evidence
So shut up! There is no evidence

We’ve got your back
You must relax
And just ignore
Our lack of facts

We work for you
To serve you well
Constituent
Just ring our bell

We have sufficient evidence
To prove there is no evidence
To look for any evidence
So shut up! There is no evidence

We trained for this
So don’t protest
Our judgment is
The best of best

Domestic cries
Against our call
Are terrorists
So they must fall

We have sufficient evidence
To prove there is no evidence
To look for any evidence
Shut up! There is no evidence

Just unify
For we must heal
Ignore the crime
Hey, that’s the deal

We have sufficient evidence
Shut up! There is no evidence

We have sufficient evidence
Shut up! Just heal! ………….There’s just no evidence.

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