Posted on 11/18/2003 10:42:29 AM PST by ahadams2
The Delphi Technique.
What Is It?
The Delphi Technique was originally conceived as a way to obtain the opinion of experts without necessarily bringing them together face to face. In recent times, however, it has taken on an all new meaning and purpose. In Educating for the New World Order by B. 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 lay citizens were, in fact, being squeezed out." The Delphi Technique is the method being used to squeeze citizens out of the process, effecting a left-wing take over of the schools.
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.
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. While s/he is doing this, the facilitator learns something about each member of the target group. S/He identifies the "leaders," the "loud mouths," as well as those who frequently turn sides during the argument — the "weak or noncommittal".
Suddenly, the amiable facilitator becomes "devil's advocate." S/He dons his professional agitator hat. Using the "divide and conquer" technique, s/he 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." S/He wants certain members of the group to become angry, thereby forcing tensions to accelerate. 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.
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. Or, if they suspect this is happening, do not know how to end the process.
The desired result is for group polarization, and for the facilitator to become accepted as a member of the group and group process. S/He 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.
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.
The Delphi Technique is based on the Hegelian Principle of achieving Oneness of Mind through a three step process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. In thesis and antithesis, all present their opinion or views on a given subject, establishing views and opposing views. In synthesis, opposites are brought together to form the new thesis. All participants are then to accept ownership of the new thesis and support it, changing their own views to align with the new thesis. Through a continual process of evolution, Oneness of Mind will supposedly occur.
The theory of the Delphi and the reality of the Delphi are, obviously, quite different — the reality being that Oneness of Mind does not occur but only the illusion of Oneness of Mind with those who refuse to be Delphi'd being alienated from participating in the process.
While proponents of education reform feel they are quite justified in this, the effect of this unethical manipulation of people is to create polarized camps. In an effort to maintain the process, advocates have marketed a plethora of publications (such as What's Left After the Right, No Right Turn and If You Don't, They Will) intended to label, castigate, and alienate anyone who does not go along with them. As a result, parents come to understand that their role in education reform is merely perfunctory; that the outcome is preset, that they are not but the rah-rah team so when opposition does arise, advocates of education reform can say, "we had community input."
To make sure that the situation is controlled, only those parents who agree with the process are allowed on the restructuring teams. New participants are carefully screened to ensure that education reform goes forward unquestioned.
If measurable opposition persists, advocates are told, get the local ministers on board. Take steps to neutralize, by whatever means necessary, the opposition. In some places, opponents have been harassed, both at home and on the job, personal property has been damaged and vandalized, people have lost their jobs. Anyone who does not go along with the restructuring of our society is susceptible to the totalitarian tactics of those promoting education reform – whether it be parents, teachers, principals, superintendents or board members. The need exists for advocates to maintain an iron grip on the process. They cannot, for instance, withstand open public debate of the issues. Therefore, they do not partake in public forums. They cannot withstand the criticism, so they close every avenue for parents to address the issues. They are rapidly creating, through their divisive tactics, a volatile situation. America is being torn apart.
Parents, citizens, teachers, principals, superintendents who are opposed to the new purpose being given our American education system need tools to withstand the process being used to bring it in — against the Delphi Technique and consensus which, through their basis in the Hegelian Principle, have Marxist connections and purposes.
First, no opportunity must be left untaken to expose this unethical, divisive process. Second, when this process is used, it can be disrupted. To do so, however, one must be able to recognize when the Delphi Technique is being used, and how to disrupt it.
With thanks to Sandy Vanderberg, Peg Luksik and others.
©March 1996; Lynn M Stuter
BUMP for every Conservative's arsenal.
Thank You. I had never heard of the Delphi Technique before your post. I decided to educate myself and a google search turned up that article.
I have been in a number of "diversity in the workplace" seminars because they are required every 3 years to keep my law license. Although the seminars only last about an hour or two at the most and we only need an hour or two of this cr@p every three years, it seems that the teachers attempt to utilize these techniques on the attendees. I suppose they wish they could keep us captive for a week or two.
I don't think this technique works on me, because I really get belligerent and start pushing the envelope and seeing if I can irritate the teacher. They don't like to be challenged and their method is not sucessful unless most, if not all, of the participants are willing to accept the premises that the teachers start with, like "we ought to treat "all" people with respect." I always insist that respect is something that you EARN and that NOBODY is entitled to ANY respect unless they EARN IT! That usually gets them going. :-)
Thanks for letting me know that there is a name for their techniques. Now that I can study their techniques, the next seminar should be even more interesting.
Its just my nature. :-)
I like the advice - I'm persistent, but I have a tendency to NOT be charming, although I don't usually lose my temper I can get pretty loud ;-)
With these guidelines in mind, I can use my "sweet Southern belle" persona - THAT oughta work, and if the "facilitator" tries to pick on me, it's easy to segue into the "poor pitiful Pearl" (Melanie Wilkes) routine.
This oughta be fun . . . .
"Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put in this world to rise above." -- African Queen
Enjoy it.
These evil men in leadership, by the very nature of their denomination and position (i.e. they have the ultimate say and the ultimate control. Because of the authority and power of their position, these ungodly "spiritual" leaders determine who becomes the pastor of the congregations and they determine who gets elevated to the position of bishop. Only those higher than themselves can overrule their ungodly decisions. However, these ungodly overseers are also in agreement with them, therefore nothing can or will change.) will now consolidate their gains, squelch the godly opposition (the righteous remnant that remains faithful to Christ and to the Holy Word of God) by elevating more ungodly "ministers" who support and promote this immorality to positions of authority and leadership within the "denomination".
I will not honor them by calling it a "church", the Episcopal denomination in America, with it's recent decision had become nothing more than an organizational tool of Satan, promoting itself in order to do his bidding.
Because of this wickedness, those who genuinely know Christ within the denomination, whether they are spiritual leaders, or lay people, have only one scriptural avenue open to them they must flee/remove themselves from the denomination as soon as possible.
In these dark days the church is to be “salt and light in the world”. Now more than ever before born-again Christians have a responsibility to “NOT be conformed to this world” but to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:1 - 2). This transformation comes about as we saturate our minds and hearts with the Word of God and let it [Comment: rather than the changing social customs of our times] be the determining factor in what we believe and how we live our lives.
Some say that the decision to vote to have Mr. Robinson become the first openly practicing homosexual bishop within the Episcopal (or any Christian) Church “may test the limits” of the denomination. “may test the limits”? The fact of the matter is, this vote to approve him to the position of bishop proves there are NO limits as far as the so-called “leadership” of the Episcopal Church is concerned. With this decision, the apostate church has revealed itself for what it is.
The majority of “spiritual” leaders in the denomination have just chosen to throw the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ out the window, embrace perversion at the highest level and some are concerned this decision “may test the limits”.
God’s Word regarding the course of action and decision these so-called “spiritual leaders” should have made is clear:
“9I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
Since the majority of those calling the shots within the denomination have chosen not to “Expel the wicked man” from among them, they have rejected God and His Holy Word and instead have whole-heartedly supported and embraced perversion and wickedness at the highest level within the denomination.
With this decision these leaders have left those who truly know Christ with only ONE option from a Biblical perspective: There is only one course of action available and the counsel of God’s Word is obvious for all born-again believers, ministers and leaders within the Episcopal Church:
“ ‘Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,’ says the Lord. ‘AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ Says the Lord Almighty.” (2Corinthians 6:17 - 18)
This advice may not be popular or politically correct, but it is God’s unfailing counsel regarding the situation. Even if this stand for the truth results in the loss of buildings, property, possessions, positions, power, friendships and anything else that Satan might use to persuade these believers to COMPROMISE their walk with Christ and support for the Word of God. It will be telling in the days and weeks ahead to see if those who actually know Christ within the denomination, be they lay people or leaders, are willing to “count the cost”, and conclude with the apostle Paul:
“7But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:7 – 11)
Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. S
Acts. 24:20
A good idea!
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