“… You see, Humans, we are strange creatures. Our brains are unlike any other animal. We can reflect and contemplate on our world to a degree that may cause overwhelming anxiety, worry, and stress. We are faced with scenarios everyday that we have little control over. Yet, here we are. Here we are, capable of determining a causal-flow of events that will likely come to fruition.”
The General clicked the light projector’s remote control and words appeared on a screen at the back of the stage. The students began copying notes. The General continued.
“What I am saying is this:
One: We are good at predicting the future.
Two: We experience anxiety, worry and stress in regard to predicted futures.
“Does anyone have a problem with those two postulates?”
The General scanned the auditorium. Several Cadets were shaking their heads in the negative. Most were busy scribbling into their notebooks.
“Good. Now, let's talk about, Delusion.
“Delusion—the act of lying to oneself—is a trait as old as we are. The reason? We’re too smart. We see our own weaknesses. We cannot always protect ourselves from them. Even worse, we can see how others can exploit our weaknesses and take advantage of us. At our most basic level, Cadets, we live inside a State of Vulnerability. It is very much a part of what it means to be human.
“Delusion, specifically, Self-Delusion, is a relief mechanism for predicted futures we have little to no control over. By deluding, or lying to ourselves, we can actively lower the anxiety, worry, and stress we experience. It is how we live. It is how we have always lived. For to live in a state utter terror, is just as hazardous, as to live in a state of absolute fearlessness.
“Let's add another statement to our previous two. Three: We can lie to ourselves to alleviate anxiety, worry and stress.
“Now, as your brains chew on that postulate, let's wade a little deeper into these murky waters. Let's ask some questions. Questions like, ‘How does an individual predict the future?’ or, to put it more broadly, ‘How does an individual prepare and actively face the world?’
“Don't think too hard, Cadets. The answer is simple. An individual observes the world and makes judgements about it. In essence, they collect data, they process data, and they make decisions based off of data. So, let's just say this, There is a Decision Making Process, and that process is: collect data, process data, and make decisions based on data.
“Now, I know the reasoning here is simplistic. It is accurate enough for our purposes, however. Man is in no way a completely rational being, but man is certainly capable of rationality. Furthermore, if there can be no good decisions made from collected data, for-let’s-say, Survival, then anxiety, worry and stress may increase. Is everyone with me?”
The Cadets nod in the affirmative.
“Good. Let's add another statement to the list...
One: We are good at predicting the future.
Two: We can experience anxiety, worry and stress in relation to predicted futures.
Three: We can lie to ourselves to alleviate anxiety, worry and stress.
And Four: There is a Decision Making Process to predicting futures.
“Is everyone good with that?”
Some Cadets nod again. Some Cadets sound off, saying, “Yes, Sir,” with their heads down, continuing to copy notes. Everyone was paying attention.
“Excellent! So, if I were a calculating man,—and, I am—and knowing the four postulates I've presented to you, how could I take advantage of an enemy?”
Every Cadet in the auditorium raised their heads, staring at the screen. After a moment, some Cadets began leaning forward in their seats, examining the words and the ideas they represented more carefully. Some began to grasp at what the General was actually speaking about. The General continued.
“Well, I'll tell you this. If I could manipulate the data an enemy collects and processes, logic would suggest, I could affect the decisions that an enemy makes. Affectively, I could influence actions, behaviors, even entire philosophies for anyone making decisions based off of manipulated data…
“Does anyone here think this is out of the realm of possibility? Do any of you think I'm just a crazy, old man?”
Some of the Cadets laughed, a low chortle reverberating through the auditorium. Some Cadets shook their heads and spoke, "No, Sir.”
“Do you think I might be able to present an enemy with data that would cause heightened anxiety, worry, or stress?…”
The General scanned the room.
“How about, making an enemy lie to itself?”
The auditorium was silent. All eyes were on the General and thinking.
“Let's take a another look at the history of Mass Communications.”