The DELPHI Technique -- (Let's us Freepers Dominate Liberal Planning Groups)

1969 | by Rand Corporation

[Lazamataz]

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO INSTRUCT FELLOW FREEPERS ON HOW TO CONTROL AND INFLUENCE LIBERAL MEETINGS. The election is upon us. Lets get into the various election groups undercover, and employ these techniques in order to win.

Lynn Stulter -- The Delphi Technique was originally conceived as a way to obtain the opinion of experts without necessarily bringing them together face to face. In Educating for the New World Order by Bev Eakman, the reader finds reference upon reference for the need to preserve the illusion that there is "Lay, or community, participation in the decision-making process, while in fact lay citizens are being squeezed out."

A specialized use of this technique was developed for teachers, the "Alinsky Method" (ibid., p. 123). The setting or group is, however, immaterial the point is that people in groups tend to share a certain knowledge base and display certain identifiable characteristics (known as group dynamics). This allows for a special application of a basic technique.

1. The "change agent" or "facilitator" goes through the motions of acting as an organizer, getting each person in the target group to elicit expression of their concerns about a program, project, or policy in question. The facilitator listens attentively, forms "task forces," "urges everyone to make lists," and so on.
2. While she is doing this, the facilitator learns something about each member of the target group. He/she identifies the "leaders," the "loud mouths," as well as those who frequently turn sides during the argument - the "weak or non-committal."
3. Suddenly, the amiable facilitator becomes "devil's advocate." He/she dons his professional agitator hat. Using the "divide and conquer" technique, he/she manipulates one group opinion against the other. This is accomplished by manipulating those who are out of step to appear "ridiculous, unknowledgeable, inarticulate, or dogmatic." He/she wants certain members of the group to become angry, thereby forcing tensions to accelerate.
4. The facilitator is well trained in psychological manipulation. S/He is able to predict the reactions of each group member. Individuals in opposition to the policy or program will be shut out of the group.
5. The desired result is for group polarization, and for the facilitator to become accepted as a member of the group and group process. He/she will then throw the desired idea on the table and ask for opinions during discussion. Very soon his/her associates from the divided group begin to adopt the idea as if it were their own, and pressure the entire group to accept the proposition.

The method works. It is very effective with parents, teachers, school children, and any community group. The "targets" rarely, if ever, know that they are being manipulated. If they do suspect this is happening, they do not know how to end the process.

This technique is a very unethical method of achieving consensus on a controversial topic in group settings. It requires well-trained professionals who deliberately escalate tension among group members, pitting one faction against the other, so as to make one viewpoint appear ridiculous so the other becomes "sensible" whether such is warranted or not.

[Lazamataz]

I will do further research on the Delph Technique and report on my findings during the day.

[Lazamataz]

Bump to you two sneaker-to-concrete activists.

[AppyPappy]

Geez Laz, Just do a google search on FR. It's been posted here repeatedly since I got here in 1998.

[Lazamataz]

Geez Laz, Just do a google search on FR. It's been posted here repeatedly since I got here in 1998.

Geez Appy, the newest one was in 2000, and none of them are bumpable. They are all locked threads. :o)

[AppyPappy]

It was posted a few weeks ago.

[Lazamataz]

It was posted a few weeks ago.

If it was, I missed it. I did a FR search.

[AppyPappy]

It may have been deleted or moved to chat. Do chat threads show in a search?

[Lazamataz]

I don't check chat. Perhaps. I sure hope this one stays; I'd like activists to get training in the technique so that we are prepared to change the direction of liberal election planning groups. I'll be posting my research here over the next few days.

[randog]

Bump.

[EdReform]

See the following links at Lynn's Education And Research Network (LEARN):

About Consensus and Facilitation

The Delphi Technique. What Is It?

The Delphi Technique: How to Disrupt It

[Ff--150]

Note how often these techniques i this forum by folks who "just show up" and go away...

[Lazamataz]

Thank you!

[glock rocks]

http://freerepublic.com/forum/a3b2e1f024e20.htm

[capecodder]

From the archives:

So, Have You Been Delphi'd?

[Lazamataz]

Its old.

[EdReform]

You're welcome. The Delphi Technique is used by many left-wing groups. I had previously posted those links here, but the URL's have since changed.

[capecodder]

Here's another:

Are We Being Delphi'ed?

[subterfuge]

Well gosh AP, you know Laz don't read the articles. :)

[GOPJ]

Why on earth would we want to act like liberals? What next? Shall we instruct Bush on how to lie like Clinton? Sorry, tactics define. And these tactics are lies. Just like the liberals who use them.

[GOPJ]

Why on earth would we want to act like liberals? What's next? Shall we instruct Bush on how to lie like Clinton?

Sorry, tactics define. And these tactics are for liars. They were used by bad liberals, they were used by Hitler. They won't be used by me.