When exploring the Twitter files article, the documents reveal that Twitter has a “Blacklist” system, which effectively shadowbans users without their knowledge. This system, which was implemented in 2019, involves blocking a user’s content from appearing in search results, hashtags, and other features, thus severely limiting their reach on the platform. Twitter claims that this is done to combat spam and misinformation, but critics argue that it is a way to silence certain voices and manipulate the conversation. Another alarming revelation from the documents is that Twitter has a team dedicated to “monitoring and manipulating” users’ tweets and interactions. This team, known as the “Troll Patrol,” is tasked with identifying and flagging problematic content, but they also have the ability to “amplify” certain tweets and accounts to promote certain narratives. This raises concerns about censorship and manipulation of public discourse on the platform.

Additionally, the documents also show that Twitter actively engages in practices to drive user engagement and ad revenue. For example, the company reportedly inflated its user metrics by counting accounts that showed “no discernible user activity,” and it also manipulated the content shown in users’ timelines to encourage them to spend more time on the platform. The documents also shed light on Twitter’s cozy relationship with government agencies, particularly in the realm of surveillance. The company reportedly worked closely with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to provide user data and other information for investigations, and it even developed a special tool for law enforcement called the “Dataminr Alerting System.”

The first Zerohedge article on PsyOps dives into the topic of psychological operations (psyops) and their use in modern warfare. The article highlights the growing importance of psyops in military strategy. It raises questions about the ethics of using these tactics to influence public opinion and manipulate the behavior of individuals and groups. It is argued that psyops have become a vital tool in “psyopcracy,” a system of governance that relies on psychological manipulation to maintain control over a population. An interview with Frank Snepp discusses the act of planting stories in Vietnam. For this tactic, the CIA would release misinformation. The CIA would go after certain influential journalists, gain their trust and then plant misinformation in their heads. Snepp also discussed how he ensured the journalists could not fact-check him as this was an interconnected web of misinformation. After Snepp released information surrounding the CIAs use of misinformation and propaganda, the Supreme Court decided that every Government in a position of trust must submit what he says or writes about his work to the Government for censorship no matter what. One of the key concerns raised by the article is the potential for psyops to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissent. The author points to examples such as the use of social media bots and fake news to influence elections, as well as the use of psychological tactics to discourage protests and other forms of resistance. Another concern raised by the article is the potential for psyops to violate ethical and legal standards as they can influence the behavior of individuals and groups.

The second Zerohedge article on PsyOps raises concerns about the US military’s use of psychological operations in its recruitment efforts. The article highlights a new recruitment video released by the US Army, which has been criticized for its use of language that some have deemed manipulative and deceptive. The video, titled “The Calling,” features dramatic music and imagery of soldiers engaging in various activities, including jumping out of airplanes and firing weapons. Furthermore, the statements “we are a steely-eyed missile man” and “anything we touch turns to awesome” highlight the positives attributed to serving in the Army. More concerning, however, are the allegations that the video employs psychological tactics to manipulate viewers into joining the military. The Army’s chief of public affairs, reportedly said that the video was designed to “create an emotional connection” with viewers and to “overcome the resistance” that some people may have with joining the military. This language raises questions about the ethics of using psychological operations in recruitment efforts, and whether it is appropriate to manipulate people’s emotions in this way, especially concerning such an intense career. Critics have pointed out that the military has a responsibility to be transparent and honest in its recruitment efforts, and that using psychological tactics to “overcome resistance” violates trust.