The other day I was explaining that using the word "psyop" bothered me because the term seemed to be so flexible, meaning different things to different groups.

And a thread from @davetroy last night answered a lot of my questions.

It's a very good thread and you should read it. https://twitter.com/davetroy/status/1354112699253350402?s=20

What Dave explains is pretty much what I had wondered about: that the way in which he defines the word "psyop" does not mean the same thing that QAnon believers mean when they say "psyop."

Under this definition, what is required is: identifying an audience, targeting that audience with a message, and using that message to get the audience to do what you want.

That's broad, but that's okay. What's important is we understand each other when we speak & write.

If a psyop is that, and additionally can be organic, evolve, lack top-down orchestration, etc., then yes, absolutely, under that definition QAnon is a psyop.

It also means Flat Earth is a psyop and Red Lobster's Shrimpfest is a psyop. All persuasive campaigns are psyops.

And again, I am not trying to sound dismissive of that definition (I keep saying that because I know how often I seem dismissive.) It's fine.

I'm pointing out what Dave himself pointed out: lots of folks do not immediately think of that definition when they hear "psyop."

QAnon certainly doesn't. QAnon believers think as they have been trained to think: that "psyop" means military, or false flag by the Deep State government, or Israeli if they're more inclined towards the antisemitic side of the movement.

Anyway, I am very happy to have this broad definition laid out, and though I feel it is too broad, I'm still happy to understand that's what people are meaning when they say "psyop."

Part of their struggle will be convincing QAnon that's what it means.