Weaponized Opinion?

“What are some secret weapons you believe the world’s armies have invented in preparation for WW3?”

Outrage.

Gullibility.

Disinformation.

Distrust.

Apathy.

…

Oh, you mean actual weapons, Alex?

Unfortunately, the list above may prove to be far more influential in the next major war, since they are all components of psychological warfare/information operations.

All of the technology available and in development can not be useful if the populations of a nation in conflict are disinterested in the conflict – or nation – itself.

Not too long ago, I was fascinated with the hilarious rumors of some of the projects the Department of Defense was considering: dispersible chemicals to make enemy forces become irresistibly attracted to each other or different semi-adhesive compounds for use against flight lines and motor pools (probably one of the best ways to demoralize crew chiefs). I’m still not sure if I want to laugh at the outlandishness of these concepts or cringe at the investment made in these (and other) programs, but the common factor is simple: dictating the will to fight.

So, here we are – in the age of nearly instantaneous global communication, with the technology to digitally manipulate pretty much anything, and a growing dependency on that ever-vulnerable technology. Weird, huh?

Warfare is often dictated by economics – supply versus demand and/or capability versus affordability. Perhaps psychological warfare/information operations will be the next “secret weapon”; perhaps it already is. To me, it is the affordability, impact, and utility of this aspect of warfare which will remain as crucial and relatively unappreciated as it is timeless.

Thanks for asking a question that led to something else to read/ponder: “National Will to Fight: Why Some States Keep Fighting and Others Don’t” 🙂