Social Engineering
The Sunday Feed
When I was in school, I always thought that all leaders were either extremely good in science or commerce.
Well, I had a narrow vision and cannot be blamed for that because I was just a child.
But, as I grew older, I realized that becoming a person of a certain stature or an influencer needs more than just an engineering or a commerce degree. Because, if you look around, those that really did well in life even after drooping out from school were the ones that understood psychology.
Psychology teaches us that humans are creatures of habit and will behave in a certain manner when faced with the combination of a certain set of variables.
For example, in Australia, KFC will be extraordinarily busy if it is raining. The smell of fried chicken bellowing through the streets is too much of a temptation for people to not drop everything else and get in the store. I have a feeling KFC is releasing extra aroma in the open air to attract customers. I could be wrong, but this is something I notice whenever I pass a KFC on a rainy day.
KFC is just one minor example. The true use of psychology is done on a mass scale when people leverage religion to put their point across. They understand that most religions have a caveat which says that you must follow it blindly, no matter how contorted or concocted it may seem.
Mostly used by politicians or fraudsters, social engineering is a brilliant tool that can give excellent results. The chances of success are quite predictable. In fact, as predictable as the behavior of the subjects.
Let’s look at the top 10 ways in which politicians and shenanigans use social engineering to achieve their objectives.
1. Misinformation & Fake News
How It Works: They spread false or misleading information to shape opinions or discredit opponents.
Example: During the 2016 U.S. election, fake news stories spread across social media, such as claims that Pope Francis endorsed Donald Trump.
2. Fear-Mongering
How It Works: They exaggerate threats (real or imagined) to instill fear and justify extreme policies.
Example: In 2003, the Bush administration used fear of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) to justify the Iraq War, despite later evidence showing no such weapons existed.
3. Divide & Conquer (Us vs. Them)
How It Works: They create division by portraying groups as enemies, reinforcing tribalism.
Example: Brexit campaigns used the slogan “Take Back Control” to stoke fears about immigration and the European Union, deepening societal divisions.
4. Repetition & Echo Chambers
How It Works: A lie repeated enough times can be perceived as truth. Controlled media outlets and social media algorithms reinforce narratives.
Example: The “Stop the Steal” movement in the U.S. repeatedly claimed election fraud in 2020 despite a lack of evidence, leading to the Capitol riot.
5. Controlled Opposition
How It Works: They create or infiltrate opposition groups to manage dissent and control narratives.
Example: Russia has been accused of using fake opposition parties to give the illusion of democracy while ensuring real dissent remains weak.
6. Astroturfing (Fake Grassroots Movements)
How It Works: Fake movements appear organic but are actually orchestrated by powerful interests.
Example: Big Tobacco companies funded “pro-smoker rights” groups to fight anti-smoking regulations while pretending to be independent activists.
7. Character Assassination
How It Works: They discredit opponents through smear campaigns, scandals (real or fabricated), and targeted leaks.
Example: In the 2017 French elections, Emmanuel Macron faced fabricated leaks about offshore bank accounts to damage his credibility.
8. Distraction & Red Herrings
How It Works: When scandals emerge, they divert attention with another shocking story.
Example: In 1998, during Bill Clinton’s impeachment over the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the U.S. bombed Sudan and Afghanistan, which some critics called a “Wag the Dog” strategy.
9. Manufactured Crises & False Flags
How It Works: Some governments or groups create a crisis to justify actions they wanted to take anyway.
Example: President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to rescind his declaration of martial law in
South Korea. However, he got over thrown and is facing incitement.
10. Deepfake & AI Manipulation
How It Works: Advanced AI creates convincing fake videos, images, or audio to manipulate perception.
Example: A deepfake video of Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared in 2022, falsely showing him surrendering to Russia, an attempt to weaken Ukrainian resistance.
Most I assume would be aware of all the points. However, the new boy in town AI is a major badass. If people do not look carefully, there are chances it will create much more havoc than what we have ever seen
John Khalkho: CEO — Dolores Recruitment