Let's talk about something called fifth generation warfare (5GW). Historically, warfare involved guns and tanks. While that still happens, today we are in a 5GW landscape, which uses cognitive attacks that can affect anyone, including you and me. Cognitive warfare is a core component of 5GW.

This might seem dismissible or irrelevant. When people think of warfare, they often think, "This isn't affecting me." But it absolutely is. This can happen through social media, our phones, TV, and other propaganda methods. Just like in traditional warfare, if we want to get through it intact, we need to defend ourselves.

The first step is awareness. Understand the landscape and realize that there are efforts from governments, NGOs, and other institutions to influence the way you think. This is happening all the time, even if you don’t recognize it. Multiple times a day, you are subjected to these influences.

Being aware of your environment and these efforts better positions you to defend yourself and act in your own best interest. These campaigns are subtle, making ideas feel like they originated from you. Propaganda is one of the most powerful weapons ever, and with social media and new AI technology, it is more pernicious than ever.

So, my questions for you are: Have you noticed any examples of influence campaigns or 5GW efforts? How do you defend yourself from these efforts? Is this something you’ve heard about before, or is this the first time?