Forum Post: Targeted Interdiction - What is it?
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 14, 2011, 8:23 p.m. EST by ZenDogTroll
(13032)
from South Burlington, VT
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Targeted Interdiction is just another way of thinking about Direct Action. This is, for example, targeted interdiction. It is Direct Action - the physical doing of something that changes the thinking and the behavior of others. The term itself, once it is completely understood, begins to take on tones of malevolence, if for no other reason than the ways in which I have seen it used and so will tend to characterize it. The act of describing it every bit as much as the history itself, is what gives the term its character. It even sounds dark, mysterious, and complex, doesn’t it?
I don’t care if you adopt the term or not - if you do I suggest using it in a whisper. There are occasions when a whisper can be more powerful, and much more destabilizing, than a shout. The trick is to know when to use which tool, and to have as many tools as possible. To expand both the numbers of the tools in the tool box, and their individual applications, I need to expand your mind, and so the term: Targeted Interdiction.
This is the essence of subversion. Opening minds to new possibilities, new formulations, new calculations, and new outcomes. The old outcomes are dead. We’ve been there, done that. We see where it’s going and it’s not where we want to be. I take that as a given, the only thing is that the old outcomes do not yet realize they have already died.
Together we will show them just how dead they really are.
Targeted Interdiction is one of the means we will use to do just that.
The term is different from Direct Action simply because of all that it implies. When I use the term Direct Action I immediately think of mass protests - such as the shutting down of a major highway or transit point. The term Targeted Interdiction implies something that could be much more narrowly focused, much more precise. Because it embodies the implication of precision, it also brings with it a hint of discipline, and of careful planning.
Someone suggested the use of flash mobs on Wall Street, and this is a form of Direct Action. What this term lacks is the ability to convey all that is possible with the use of a flash mob. I don’t like flash mobs. I do not find them to be entertaining. Flash mobs are a weapon, and this is a fact that is not clearly understood by most people. Most people do not realize that while a flash mob may be used as a form of targeted interdiction on a mass scale - it can also be used for something much more focused - and much more sinister - at the very same time.
In 1998, as I was walking by a mall, a flash mob broke out. It was a happy frolic of college kids, and everyone watching began to smile. An attractive young woman in the crowd whispered as I passed by: “licensed to kill.” The flash mob dispersed as if they had been playing a game of hide and seek, and the count had just begun.
This is an example of a very focused targeted interdiction within a much larger event, also a targeted interdiction.
It is the use of language to promote instability.
It is not a game.
By opening your mind to the possibilities you will become aware of potential vulnerabilities that exist with things like flash mobs, which in turn should provide for a greater measure of control - or at least it holds that potential.
It is not my intent to radicalize or to criminalize the OWS movement as a whole. Rather it is to radicalize the two most powerful tools at our disposal: your thinking and your language. Random acts of violence and senseless acts of cruelty will not win the good will of the general population. Rather my intent is to induce those who genuinely oppose us on the basis of ideological commitment to undo themselves - and do so through their own fear.
Targeted Interdiction is one of their own tools. To discuss such things openly is radical. To those who oppose us, truth itself, is radical. So I speak openly. You will naturally be inclined to suspect that forewarned is forearmed - but that is not necessarily so, precisely because they have told so many lies.
With careful and deliberate use of the truth we can begin the process of subverting every single institution this nation has to offer. Success absolutely depends on an individual and unwavering commitment to change this nation for the better. Commitment that is less than absolute will tend to give itself away.
A smile is just a smile, but a genuine smile warms hearts.
It is perhaps among the most dangerous and subversive kinds of Direct Action there is.
Oh, I agree.
LoL!
you really are a fan, aren't cha!
; D
Hey Zen, do you happen to know the site search link?
Yes I do:
http://ows.superunion.org
But the last time I tried it I got a 500 server error. I'm not sure if that means they want us to be members of http://superunion.org or if they have simply taken the coding down that searched this forum specifically.
edit: Or possibly it's something else entirely.
I did use google earlier - it worked on searching for the title of a thread - it may not work with a search string found among the comments - I don't know. Haven't tried that.
You whisper first then you shout. The shout will appear to come from nowhere and no source. However the source of the noise will be difficult to find.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/flash-protesting-an-idea-to-consider/
A bit of demographic research to identify the belief system and cultural experience prevalent where the flash occurs can be used to choreograph dance moves and sounds that appeal to passers by - thereby instilling instability in one target while at the same time creating attractive iconography for a larger, neutral target audience.
Do you see?
Zen, "subverting every single institution"? Please clarify.
I certainly will. As soon as I have time. It will take a lengthy explanation.
We currently live in an age where it can be shown that perceptions and experience of reality is elastic.
I plan to be very open and direct, to provide clarity, and to capitalize on the investment in instability that powerful interests have made.
Nice. You make me wait to increase my anticipation level. : ) You must be pretty sure of yourself, that you won't let me down.
Suddenly I have responsibility . . . hehe.
I did just attempt to post something on the subversion of institutions - but the site wouldn't let me - too long. It's under a 1000 words - too bad. I posted half anyway.
Here:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/-targeted-interdiction-and-subversion-of-instituti/#comment-361530
I can tell this is going to be a tough one! But I'll give it a try. You know I like the way you write! But can I just tell you - to start with - I don't want to have a fever and be a plastic!
I don't like it either. Not everyone survives the
mental rack.
You have my full attention. I know how to play this game. Kind of like the shell game mixed in with hide and seek but all along it was in front of you but you didn't notice till it was too late so you mised the shot and you don't get a second one. There's only one winner and he gets to be the king dude for awhile. But he's not actually the king dude because he is an impostor. Now this is how to pull the strings to get a predetermined outcome of a prestaged event so that none of the rules apply because everyone missed it anyway.
There was a time when I would say things like this to see if I could, to see if they had an effect, and to let others know they were not alone.
Now I say them because there is an opportunity to fundamentally change things in a way that was not possible before.
I am radical.
Some say rabid.
I say
woof
ZenDog your my pal. In the morning I'm reading your post again. I will have some questions for you. Have you read the book The Art Of War written by Sun Tzu.
tweet Corporations Have No Tongues!!
Yes I have. To win without fighting is best. That takes place in the mind.
Sun Tzu also said that an army long in the field is a burden on the people, and that it leaves brambles in it's wake.
There's a great deal of sense in that. Flash mobs and the like are an implicit show of power far greater than Zuccotti; they can appear anywhere, vanish within minutes, and if they do what you describe they're scary as hell. Trying to actually catch them or crack down on them is like playing Whack-A-Mole because they're only around long enough to perform their specific act before they scatter across the city. That pretty much rules out stunts like last night's raids
I'll be writing more about Targeted Interdiction in the coming days - the potential applications are endless, and reach far beyond simple flash mobs.
We will force systemic change:
With Peace, Truth, and the weight of Public Opinion.
.
.
I think you need to print this as a flyer or pamphlet that can be eventually mass produced and passed out everywhere. Posting it here on this forum means it will eventually slide off the page and be lost. It needs permanence.
I live in Burlington, Vermont. Our GAs are rather small. Since I haven't copyrighted the piece there is nothing stopping you from emailing and or printing it out as a flyer yourself.
Get active man!
Must I do everything?
; D
Well, I'd like to see the whole thing. Looking forward to your future posts. I will indeed bookmark them so as to have them all in one spot. And, just as a bit of trivia, the copyright laws are actually pretty interesting insofar as, unlike a patent, where you have to physically register the idea with the Patent office, a copyright is generated the instant you produce something. You don't have to register it anywhere, although it is a good idea to do so if you plan on benefiting from it at some time in the future or if there may be a dispute in the future, like if someone later profits off your work. As long as you have some sort of documentation that proves you are the originator, like a notebook with dates next to your notes, etc. you're good to go. Of course, the more documentation you have the better. So, technically, 'Targeted Interdiction' is already 'copyright ZenDog.' Interesting, eh?
No one has used the term before?
I thought I had coined the term theocratic reactionary but out of curiosity I googled, and found it already in use.
The poems on my website are all copyrighted. I see this material as being quite different - not that I won't compile it into a book, I might. I'm open to the possibility. I just think it is more important to make assess to these ideas now, and as widely as possible.
Civic duty and all that.
Good man. And get a copy of that book 'Writer's Market.' I think that was you I was talking with. It's not a book on HOW to write, you don't need that, rather it's a reference book listing just about every publisher you can think of; magazines, novels, screenplays, etc. with a brief explanation about what material they accept, how much they pay, who to contact and so on. It's a must-have for anyone aspiring to get their material in print, and of course make money doing it.
That was me.
I don't currently have enough material yet. Unless I want to try publishing the poems - I've tried that before. I sent out hundreds, and only three saw print.
Well, keep that book in mind for future reference. Every library should have a copy if you don't want to fork out the $35 for your own copy. And having three poems in print probably isn't all that bad considering what you're up against. As an example, years ago I sent a joke into Reader's Digest. It was definitely an eye-opener to find out they receive over a quarter million jokes a year. It's probably the same with poetry. A lot of people out there trying. Anyway, remember that book and good luck.
thanks