Book for the Day: A Crowd of One, the Future of Individual Identity, John Henry Clippinger

I have read the first 3 chapters of this book. Highly recommended.


"There is no such thing as a noble savage, we are a crowd of one."


On Trust and Reciprocity:

"It is a pursuit of the ultimate virtuous cycle that might under the right conditions yield trust, reciprocity, and the will to not go to war." John Henry Clippinger


The Future of Individual Identity:

• civil discourse

"We really are a crowd of one - and one in a crowd."

"Modern identity is an open wound in need of healing."

"...a just and stable social order..."

Chapter 3:

Terrorism's Shattered Identities

"What becomes 'true' in such conflicts is what is believed to be true: the managed perception becomes the reality."

"...[a] self-justifying reality."

"An asymmetric adversary's effectiveness...its legitimacy depends upon the credibility and coherence of the narratives. Anything that diminishes their credibility weakens their will and viability."

*"Using disinformation and propaganda as a weapon is anathema to most democratic societies because many believe that if their governments become engaged in distorting information of any kind, even in the pursuit of national security, their countries would soon cease to be democratic."

*information warfare capabilities

*information-related operations play an increasingly vital role in achieving global security

*perception management, [i.e. propaganda]

"controlled savagery"

"shaved awareness"

"perception management campaign

*****"So-called terrorist organizations such as Hezbolla and Hamas are succeeding in part because they give their recruits a sense of purpose and belonging, and place their struggles within a larger, mythic, religious context."