How to Spot a Psyop

In Bullets, from a former Military Behavior Analyst

This is good stuff from Chase Hughes, a former IC agent.

Consent can be engineered through manipulation, propaganda, and control—and some say we should do it.

“People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I’m not a crook.”

“We’re in the midst of a serious financial crisis, and the federal government is responding with decisive action.”

I believe deeply: if danger exists in the world, it is shared by all.

We need to double down on public health measures.

You can’t look at that television and say, “Nothing happened on the 6th.”

“I would like you to answer the question.”

“It’s very simple to answer. That’s why I asked it.”

“It’s very simple: you’re a nasty person.”

Most people lack awareness of how easily behavior and identity can be manipulated. But people are waking up.

Chase Hughes spent 20 years in the US military. As a behavior expert, bestselling author, and SOP trainer, he shows you how to identify engineered realities—what some call SOPS (Strategic Operations).

At the end of this, you’ll have a tool that scores how likely something is to be a SOP. Let’s dive in.

The FATE Model

Focus, Authority, Tribe, Emotion (FATE) drives decisions. SOPs hijack these triggers in the mammalian brain:

1. Focus:

• SOPs use repetition, shocking visuals, or fear-inducing scenarios to dominate attention.

• Examples: 24/7 crisis media coverage or constant phrases like “unprecedented.”

• Tip: Ask, “Why is this message so aggressive?” Compare airtime and disproportionate focus.

2. Authority:

• Trusted figures may unnaturally align with narratives.

• Examples: Experts endorsing ideas outside their expertise.

• Tip: Question authority figures speaking out of scope.

3. Tribe:

• Messages exploit polarizing “in-group vs. out-group” instincts.

• Examples: Patriots vs. traitors, science vs. denial.

• Tip: Be wary of language creating stark divisions.

4. Emotion:

• Messages triggering fear, hope, or outrage bypass critical thinking.

• Examples: Panic-driven stories of empty grocery shelves.

• Tip: Look for facts replacing emotional appeals.

Psychological Triggers

1. Novelty:

• Sudden or dramatic events exploit our survival instincts.

• Example: Viral videos coinciding with major events.

• Tip: Question why the timing feels “too perfect.”

2. Centralized Narratives:

• Identical media talking points signal echo chambers.

• Tip: Seek independent or contrarian voices.

3. Cognitive Dissonance:

• SOPs create internal conflict by shaping identity through “micro-agreements.”

• Example: Ads linking patriotism with buying local.

• Tip: Reflect on whether minor commitments align with larger agendas.

4. Emotional Scripts:

• Fear of scarcity, rejection, or survival instincts is exploited.

• Example: Politicians using urgency to push new laws.

• Tip: Focus on facts rather than survival-based appeals.

Following the Money

SOPs often benefit specific groups.

• Example: Charities funded by corporations lobbying for subsidies.

• Tip: Use public records to investigate funding sources.

Manipulation Tactics

1. Framing:

• SOPs define permissible actions by shifting contexts.

• Example: Surveillance laws during emergencies.

• Tip: Compare events in different settings for contradictions.

2. Archetypes:

• SOPs simplify narratives into heroes and villains.

• Example: Leaders painted as saviors with no criticism.

• Tip: Deconstruct overly simplistic stories.

3. Rapid Compliance:

• Emotional appeals or staged behaviors create sudden conformity.

• Example: Viral social media challenges linked to hidden agendas.

• Tip: Slow down and test conformity pressures.

Logical Fallacies Used in SOPs

1. Appeal to Emotion:

• Uses fear or hope to bypass logic.

• Example: “If you don’t act, children will suffer.”

2. Straw Man:

• Misrepresents an argument for easy attack.

• Example: “They oppose lockdowns, so they don’t care about lives.”

3. Bandwagon:

• Claims something is true because “everyone supports it.”

• Example: “Millions of people agree!”

4. False Dilemma:

• Presents two extreme options, ignoring alternatives.

• Example: “You’re either with us or against us.”

5. Ad Hominem:

• Attacks the person, not their argument.

• Example: “She’s not a scientist; you can’t trust her.”

6. Appeal to Authority:

• Relies on authority figures to validate claims.

• Example: “Dr. X supports this, so it must be true.”

7. Slippery Slope:

• Claims one action leads to catastrophic outcomes.

• Example: “If we allow this, all freedoms will be lost.”

8. Hasty Generalization:

• Broad claims with limited evidence.

• Example: “Two politicians lied, so all are corrupt.”

9. Red Herring:

• Distracts with irrelevant information.

• Example: “Why worry about climate change when crime is high?”

10. False Equivalence:

• Compares two unequal things as the same.

Mastering these concepts will sharpen your perception and help you see through manipulation. If you’ve made it this far, your critical thinking is already stronger. Let’s expose the truth and protect our minds.