The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Air Force Major Kara Masick discusses her thought-provoking article: 12 (Mis)Steps from Sober Assessments: Confessions of a Failed OIE Assessor. Our discussion covers her OIE assessment recovery journey. Like an alcoholic seeking sobriety by first admitting they have a problem and acknowledging where they’ve gone wrong, this essay is 12 confessions of her OIE assessment failures. During the discussion, she presents a new assessment metric that she calls: Most Likely Cause (MLC). Assessors should learn to think like an IT Helpdesk professional; like detectives discovering clues to find the most likely culprit, we can weigh relative likelihoods that our OIE had the effect compared to other potential causes. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #83 Joseph Lee on Jung and Archetypes #130 Teasel Muir-Harmony on Spaceflight, Foreign Policy, and Soft Power #25 Alan Kelly on Mapping the Strategies of IO Actors IPA Blog Article: 12 (Mis)Steps from Sober Assessments: Confessions of a Failed OIE Assessor by Kara Masick The Iron Law Of Evaluation And Other Metallic Rules by Peter H. Rossi Evaluation: A Systematic Approach by Peter H. Rossi, Mark W. Lipsey, Gary T. Henry Foundations of Program Evaluation: Theories of Practice By Shadish, Cook, Levitan Scriven, M. (1974). Maximizing the power of causal investigations: The modus operandi method. In Evaluation in education (pp. 68–84). McCutchan Publishing Scriven, M. (2005). The Logic and Methodology of Checklists. McGuire’s Classic Input–Output Framework for Constructing Persuasive Messages. In Public Communication Campaigns (Fourth Edition, pp. 133–145). SAGE Publications, Inc. Decoding Crimea. Pinpointing the Influence Strategies of Modern Information Warfare by Alan Kelly and Christopher Paul Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio:  Kara Masick is an Air Force 14F (Information Operations officer) with a passion for MISO/PSYOP who's worked mostly within Intel and Cyber organizations. She was the first 14F officially assigned to the J39 of the Information Warfare Numbered Air Force (16AF). She was sponsored by USSOCOM to study Psychology and is doing that within the Measurement Research methodology Evaluation and Statistics Lab at George Mason University (GMU) with the goal of improving her MISO operations and assessments contributions. Her dissertation research on persuasion uses Large Language Models to analyze text. Previously, she studied theology at the University of Oxford (certificate), Behavioral Science (BS) with Religious Studies and Arabic minors at the Air Force Academy, and Sociology (MA) at GMU. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

In this discussion, John Gentry shares his expertise on influence strategies shaped by the former Soviet Union. He explains concepts like reflexive control and the role of 'useful idiots' in shaping public discourse. Gentry highlights how historical Soviet tactics still infiltrate contemporary politics, emphasizing the psychological manipulation of cultural vulnerabilities. The conversation also tackles the erosion of trust in institutions and its implications, along with vulnerabilities in educational settings that make individuals susceptible to influence.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Steve Hunnewell of Premise Data discusses geopolitical risk in Asia and the grey zone. Our conversation covers the rise of China and its implications for the global order, the growing strategic competition between China and the United States in Asia, the concept of hybrid warfare and how China and other countries use it, and the need for better integration of commercial solutions and implications for operations in the information environment.  Research Question: Steve Hunnewell suggests an interested student examine the following: assess the “infinite game” and assess our positions of advantage?  How do we better integrate commercial solutions, public-private partnerships, etc to create an in-depth approach to creating resiliency? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #150 Jill Goldenziel on China and the Philippines #166 John Agnello on Information Advantage Persuade or Perish by Wallace Carroll Spies and Lies: How China's Greatest Covert Operations Fooled the World by Alex Joske Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio:  Before joining Premise Data, Steve Hunnewell was the Director of the Information Office for the United States Indo-Pacific Command. In this unique role, he served as the inaugural senior executive for strategic communications guidance and strategy, which focused on using data to improve the command's ability to engage within the information domain. Hunnewell's previous public service supported a wide range of special operations, diplomatic, and strategic communications issues throughout the U.S. government, including serving as a Strategic Advisor for Information Operations on the NATO ISAF Counterinsurgency Advisory & Assistance Team (CAAT), U.S. DoD liaison for Afghan Reconciliation & Reintegration to the U.K. Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) & the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA); with additional roles and assignments in Ukraine, the Levant, Latin America, and Asia. Hunnewell also has extensive experience in the private sector. He has held leadership positions at technology firms such as Novetta and Two Six Technologies. In these roles, he has worked on various issues, including leading product innovation and developing solutions that identify events, rhetoric, and behavior patterns, thus yielding actionable insights into relationships between messengers, messages, and audiences. Steve's graduate studies and degrees include an MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College and international affairs at The Fletcher School at Tufts University. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Molly Dwyer, Vice President of Analysis at Predata, discusses how her company unlocks the other side of the Internet and quantifies shifts in online attention. They explore adapting technology for the strategic landscape, opportunities for customers, analyzing signals from cell phones, future challenges, and engaging with challenges in information operations. Molly also suggests investigating ways to identify early signals on the Internet that indicate a shift in messaging before it happens.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Ben Zweibelson, Director, USSPACECOM Strategic Innovation Group (SIG), discusses his book 'Beyond the Pale: Designing Military Decision-Making Anew.' The discussion cover’s Ben philosophy related to managing the inter-war period we are experiencing, and his perspective on complexity. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #85 Josh Kerbel on Complexity and Anticipatory Intelligence #47 Yaneer Bar-Yam on Complex Systems and the War on Ideals #110 Sean McFate on The New Rules of War #73 Ori Brafman on The Starfish, Spider, and Resilient Societies PART I: The Singleton Paradox: On the Future of Human-Machine Teaming and Potential Disruption of War Itselfby Ben Zweibelson, PhD PART II: Whale Songs of Wars Not Yet Waged: The Demise of Natural-Born Killers through Human-Machine Teamings Yet to Come by Ben Zweibelson, PhD Types and Forms of Emergence by Jochen Fromm Earth Liberation Front Understanding the Military Design Movement: War, Change and Innovation by Ben Zweibelson, PhD Beyond the Pale: Designing Military Decision-Making Anew by Ben Zweibelson, PhD Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Dr. Ben Zweibelson is the director of the U.S. Space Command’s Strategic Innovation Group at Peterson Space Force Base, CO. A retired Army infantry officer with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab, four Bronze Star medals, and various awards and citations in his 22 years combined service. He previously worked for U.S. Special Operations Command for seven years, running all design education, theory, and outreach for the Joint Special Operations University. He has a doctorate in philosophy, three master’s degrees, and an undergraduate degree in graphic design. He has two design books forthcoming in the summer of 2023. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Adam Fivenson of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) discusses his co-authored piece: Shielding Democracy: Civil Society Adaptations to Kremlin Disinformation about Ukraine. Research Questions: Adam Fivenson suggests an interested student examine  How will the many changes taking place in our information ecosystem impact the 50+ national elections coming between now and the end of 2024? Based on their prior actions and their efforts around the world, how might authoritarian actors take advantage of our evolving information space to spread divisive narratives that harm democracy? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #151 Daniel Runde on Chinese Soft Power Shielding Democracy: Civil Society Adaptations to Kremlin Disinformation about Ukraine by Adam Fivenson, Galyna Petrenko, Veronika Víchová, and Andrej Poleščuk We Are Social 2023 Digital Report European Union Digital Services Act Russian War Report (Atlantic Council) Russian War Report: DFRLab releases investigations on Russian info ops before and after the invasion by the Digital Forensic Research Lab Other reports German Marshall Fund’s Civic Information Handbook DFRLab’s Narrative Warfare and Undermining Ukraine reports Atlantic Council: Scaling Trust on the Web Ukrainian counter-disinfo organizations Detector Media-Ukrainian journalists focused on countering Russian info ops StopFake-Ukrainian fact checkers Vox Ukraine-Ukrainian fact checkers and news organization Ukraine Crisis Media Center-Ukrainian news organizations Other European organizations doing work to counter disinformation European Values-Czech advocacy group Political Capital-Hungarian think thanks and advocacy group Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights-Polish advocacy group GLOBSEC-Slovakian think tank LAC-based organization: Chequeado-Argentine fact checkers with LAC-wide network Counter Disinfo Networks National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) Disinformation Hub International Republic Institute’s (IRI) BEACON project Zinc Network’s Open Information Partnership German Marshall Fund’s Black Sea Trust Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Adam Fivenson is the senior program officer for information space integrity at the National Endowment for Democracy’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, where he conducts research on the integrity in the information space and countering authoritarian information activities. Prior to joining the Forum, Adam advised political figures, governments, and international non-profits on communication, technology and data strategy, and led ethnographic research missions on the impact of new technologies on societies across four continents. He holds an MS from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a BA from the University of Michigan. Follow him on Twitter: @afivenson. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Mike Vera discusses health-related propaganda and personal standard operating procedures (SOP) which minimize bad health habits and malign influence effectiveness. Research Question: Mike Vera suggests research into crowd psychology and the ability for AI to change minds on deeply held beliefs. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #91 Denver Dill on the Arts Mike Vera’s Website Deindividuation Edward Bernays The Crowd: A study of the Popular Mind by Gustave Le Bon The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande Propaganda by Edward Bernays Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Mike Vera is a Board-Certified Health Coach holding a Master's of Science degree specialized in Sport Psychology, Performance Enhancement, and Injury Prevention. As the founder of Red Pill Health & Wellness, he is fervently dedicated to debunking health myths and empowering individuals with scientifically accurate information. Beyond this, Mike is the creator of the 'Red Pill Your Health' program and the host of the 'Healthy & Awake' podcast. His unparalleled approach centers on understanding the influence of propaganda, guiding clients in controlling their environment and thoughts to achieve their health objectives. A staunch advocate for critical thinking, Mike's philosophy stands as a beacon for those eager to assert control over their well-being. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Mr. Kevin Gates discusses IPA’s accomplishments over the past few years during his tenure as IPA’s President. He also discusses IPA’s search for his replacement. Find a link for more information about IPA’s President search on IPA’s homepage; applications are due no later than 15 Oct 2023. IPA will announce the new President in Dec 2023. Research Question: Kevin Gates suggests an interested student examine how strategic culture affects our approach to operating in the information environment (MISO, persuasion, deception, marketing, everything)? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #76 Yuval Levin on the Constitution & Institutions #62 Jonathan Rauch on the Constitution of Knowledge Global Psychological Conflict by Ralph Sanders and Fred R. Brown A Psychological Warfare Casebook by Professor William E. Daugherty Cooperation and Competition Among Primitive Peoples by Margaret Mead Cocaine and Rhinestones podcast with Tyler Mahan Coe Propaganda Universe Youtube Channel Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Kevin Gates is a Professional Staff Member with the Senate Armed Services Committee since March 2022, with a portfolio that includes DoD S&T programs and acquisition policy. Prior to that since December 2017, Kevin Gates was serving as the Vice President for Advanced Concepts at Strategic Analysis, Inc, a professional technology services and consulting company. In that role, he is responsible for managing a corporate division with contracts across the Navy, Defense Health Agency and Office of the Secretary of Defense. He had day-to-day responsibility for managing contracts and workforce across the division, as well as articulating and pursuing a strategy for maintaining high standards of customer service, and growth into new technology sectors and customer sets. He also provided direct client support to the Director of the Defense Laboratories & Personnel Office in USD(R&E), the Defense Science Board, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane in the areas of microelectronics, spectrum warfare, hypersonics and strengthening the innovation ecosystem.  Prior to that role, he worked as a Professional Staff Member for the House Armed Services Committee since March 2007, responsible for the Information Technology (IT) and cyber operations portfolio, as well as the Science and Technology (S&T) portfolio. He previously worked for 8 years at Strategic Analysis, Inc of Arlington, Virginia for a variety of clients within the DoD science & technology community (including DARPA, ONR and the Defense Science Board), as well as the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency within DHS(S&T) and the intelligence community.  He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with BAs in History and International Studies, and has a MA from Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program. He is the co-author of a chapter on critical infrastructure protection in Volume III of Homeland Security: Protecting America’s Targets, James Forest (ed.), 2006. He also served as an industry advisor to the Acquisition Innovation Research Center (since January 2021), a member of the Laboratories Assessment Board for the National Academy of Science (since March 2021), Engineering and Medicine, and President of the Board of Trustees for the Information Professionals Association (since December 2018), a 501(c)(6) supporting education and workforce development for the information warfare and cognitive security community. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

US Army COL John Agnello discusses the Army's pursuits related to Information Advantage. They explore the meaning and functions of Information Advantage, the Theater Information Advantage Detachment concept, creating exercises for operations in the information environment, the importance of relationships, and the significance of space, OSINT, and cybernetics in achieving Information Advantage.

Guest Aaron Schmidt, an expert on incorporating the information environment into military exercises, discusses the challenges and contradictions of incorporating the 'information environment' into exercises. He also highlights the lack of expertise in national power instruments and the complexities within the information environment. The podcast emphasizes the importance of humility, honesty, clear expectations, and incorporating information exercises in creating a suitable information environment for training and evaluation.