Stories Are Weapons

1. Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare's Core

Linebarger believed that words, properly deployed, were more powerful than bombs.

Words as weapons. The book argues that stories, ideas, and narratives can be weaponized to influence, manipulate, and control populations. This concept is rooted in the understanding that psychological warfare aims to impact the minds and emotions of a target audience to achieve specific objectives, often without physical violence.

Propaganda's power. Propaganda, disinformation, and carefully crafted narratives can be as effective as military force in shaping public opinion, inciting fear, and driving social division. The book explores how these techniques have been used throughout history, from ancient warfare to modern social media campaigns.

Emotional manipulation. The key to successful psychological warfare lies in its ability to tap into people's emotions, biases, and vulnerabilities. By understanding the psychological makeup of a target audience, propagandists can craft messages that resonate deeply and alter behavior.

2. Psyops Evolved from Advertising and Mass Media

Bernays described PR work as the “engineering of consent,” and called it a new form of free speech.

Bernays' influence. Edward Bernays, Sigmund Freud's nephew, pioneered the use of psychological principles in advertising and public relations. He demonstrated how to manipulate public opinion by appealing to unconscious desires and associating products with emotional or political ideals.

From sales to control. Bernays' techniques were later adapted for political purposes, demonstrating the potential for mass media to be used for social control and manipulation. His work with the United Fruit Company to overthrow the Guatemalan government exemplifies this.

Linebarger's codification. Paul Linebarger, a military intelligence expert, codified modern psychological operations in his handbook, "Psychological Warfare." He emphasized the importance of understanding the target audience and crafting messages that resonate with their values and beliefs.

3. The US's Unique Psywar History: The Indian Wars

In this country, psyops have always been connected to the evolving media industry.

Frontier myths. The United States has a long history of using psychological warfare tactics against its own population, particularly during the Indian Wars. The myth of the "vanishing Indian" was used to justify the seizure of Indigenous lands and the forced assimilation of Native Americans.

Cultural erasure. This involved the systematic suppression of Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions, as well as the dissemination of racist stereotypes and misinformation. The goal was to break the spirit of resistance and pave the way for westward expansion.

Indigenous resistance. Indigenous nations resisted these efforts through their own forms of cultural and spiritual resistance, such as the Ghost Dance movement. These movements aimed to reclaim Indigenous identity and sovereignty in the face of overwhelming oppression.

4. Brainwashing: A Cold War Psyop

Calling somebody “brainwashed” in the 1950s and ’60s was like invoking the “woke mind virus” in the 2020s—it implied that leftists had planted dangerous ideas in Americans’ vulnerable minds, causing previously good citizens to question their nation’s greatness.

The "brainwashing" scare. The term "brainwashing" gained popularity during the Cold War, fueled by fears of communist mind control. This led to widespread paranoia and the suppression of dissenting voices, as anyone who questioned the status quo was suspected of being brainwashed.

MK-Ultra's dark side. The CIA's MK-Ultra program involved unethical experiments aimed at developing mind control techniques. These experiments often involved the use of drugs, sensory deprivation, and psychological torture, highlighting the dangers of unchecked government power.

Pop culture paranoia. The fear of brainwashing permeated pop culture, inspiring science fiction movies and novels that explored the themes of mind control and the loss of individual autonomy. This reflected a deep-seated anxiety about the power of propaganda and the vulnerability of the human mind.

5. Social Media: Today's Psywar Battleground

Today in the United States, psywar is virtually indistinguishable from culture war.

Cambridge Analytica's role. The Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed how personal data could be harvested and used to target voters with personalized propaganda. This demonstrated the potential for social media to be weaponized for political manipulation.

Russian interference. Russian operatives used social media to spread disinformation, sow discord, and interfere in the 2016 presidential election. Their goal was to undermine trust in democratic institutions and polarize American society.

Algorithmic amplification. Social media algorithms can amplify the spread of misinformation and extremist content, creating echo chambers and reinforcing existing biases. This makes it difficult for people to access accurate information and engage in constructive dialogue.

6. Culture Wars: Weaponized Stories Against Each Other

Increasingly, Americans are not engaging in democratic debate with one another; they are launching weaponized stories directly into each other’s brains.

Domestic conflict. Culture wars involve the use of psychological warfare tactics within a country, targeting fellow citizens. This often involves framing specific groups as enemies, spreading misinformation, and inciting hatred and violence.

Three major weapons:

• Scapegoating: Blaming specific groups for society's problems
• Deception: Spreading lies and misinformation to confuse and manipulate
• Violent threats: Intimidating and silencing opponents through threats of violence

Erosion of democracy. Culture wars undermine democratic debate by creating a climate of fear and distrust. They make it difficult for people to engage in constructive dialogue and find common ground.

7. The Power of Historical Amnesia

The stories we tell one another using words, images, and theatrics are dual use.

Collective forgetting. Historical amnesia refers to the tendency of societies to forget or distort traumatic events in their past. This can lead to a lack of accountability and a perpetuation of harmful patterns.

Rewriting history. Culture warriors often attempt to rewrite history to suit their own agendas. This can involve downplaying or denying past injustices, glorifying harmful ideologies, and erasing the contributions of marginalized groups.

The "Lost Cause" myth. The "Lost Cause" myth, which romanticizes the Confederacy and downplays the role of slavery in the Civil War, is an example of historical amnesia. This myth has been used to justify racial inequality and white supremacy.

8. The "Groomer" Trope: Weaponizing Fear

There are three major psychological weapons that combatants often transfer into culture war: scapegoating, deception, and violent threats.

LGBTQ+ demonization. The "groomer" trope is a harmful stereotype that equates LGBTQ+ people with child molesters. This trope has been used to justify discrimination, violence, and the suppression of LGBTQ+ rights.

Lavender Scare echoes. The "groomer" trope echoes the Lavender Scare of the Cold War, which framed LGBTQ+ people as security risks and enemies of the state. This demonstrates the cyclical nature of prejudice and the persistence of harmful stereotypes.

Impact on youth. The "groomer" trope creates a climate of fear and hostility for LGBTQ+ youth, making it difficult for them to feel safe and accepted. It also undermines the ability of teachers and counselors to provide support and guidance to LGBTQ+ students.

9. Reclaiming History: A Counter-Psyop

That’s why historical receipts, true accounts of our nation’s past, are part of psychological disarmament.

Indigenous data sovereignty. Indigenous data sovereignty refers to the right of Indigenous peoples to control the collection, use, and dissemination of data about themselves and their communities. This is essential for reclaiming Indigenous history and challenging dominant narratives.

The Coquille story. The Coquille tribe's recovery of their "lost map" is an example of how reclaiming history can empower marginalized communities. By accessing and controlling their own historical records, the Coquille were able to assert their sovereignty and challenge the myth of the "vanishing Indian."

Truth and reconciliation. Truth and reconciliation commissions are a tool for addressing historical injustices and promoting healing. These commissions provide a platform for victims to share their stories and for perpetrators to acknowledge their wrongdoing.

10. Psychological Disarmament: A Path to Peace

He believed that the purpose of psyops was to end war, not to ignite an infinite series of culture wars that would grind the nation to a halt.

Linebarger's vision. Paul Linebarger, the architect of modern psychological warfare, believed that the ultimate goal of psyops was to end war, not to perpetuate conflict. He advocated for investing in public education, opening national borders, and supporting a robust free press.

Rebuilding the public sphere. Psychological disarmament requires rebuilding a shattered public sphere, where people can engage in constructive dialogue and build consensus through democratic elections. This involves addressing the root causes of division and promoting empathy and understanding.

Collective therapy. Psychological and culture wars cause trauma, and recovery requires collective therapy. This involves remembering what has happened, acknowledging the pain and suffering, and working together to create a more just and equitable society.

11. The Public Library: A Model for a Healthy Public Sphere

Linebarger believed that the public sphere—the shared cultural realm where Americans swap ideas, tell stories, and build consensus through democratic elections—had been rotted by years of disinformation and violent manipulation.

Social infrastructure. Public libraries serve as vital social infrastructure, providing free access to information, resources, and community spaces. They are places where people can connect with others, learn new skills, and engage in civic life.

Safe spaces. Libraries offer a safe and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, regardless of their income, education, or social status. They are places where people can feel respected and valued.

Combating misinformation. Libraries can play a crucial role in combating misinformation by providing access to accurate information and promoting media literacy. They can also serve as trusted sources of information for communities that are targeted by propaganda.

Last updated: March 3, 2025