Issue 147 - e-flux Journal

Trevor Paglen's essay argues that US military psychological warfare, such as the disinformation Richard Doty spread about extraterrestrials, was a historical predecessor to today's AI-driven social media that targets emotions. Paglen cites a key tenet of the US Army Field Manual: it is easier to deceive someone by reinforcing their existing beliefs than by changing them. The issue also includes Jonas Staal on Ascension Island, Hunter Bolin on Günther Anders, and Luis Camnitzer on the overemphasis on STEM education.