Book: Cognitive Infiltration
An Obama Appointee's Plan to Undermine the 9/11 Conspiracy Theory
“Griffin characterizes Sunstein’s article as being composed of ten theses. The first and third thesis, respectively, involve the definition of conspiracy theories, and the characterization of conspiracy theories regarding September 11. The other theses can be summarized as follows: (2) “anti-government conspiracy theories in the United States are usually both unjustified and false”; (4) “the main cause of belief in the 9/11 conspiracy…is ‘informational isolation’”; (5) the 9/11 conspiracy theory, in particular, is false and unjustified; (6) 9/11 conspiracy theorists are dangerous; (7) the government should attempt to undermine false and harmful conspiracy theories; (8) the government’s approach should be dual-pronged, one approach for the general public, another for conspiracy purveyors; (9) hard-core purveyors are “resistant to correction”; and (10) the government should infiltrate groups that disseminate conspiracy theories.” — Kurtis Hagen, SUNY Plattsburgh
Cognitive Infiltration: An Obama Appointee's Plan to Undermine the 9/11 Conspiracy Theory by David Ray Griffin
Amazon Blurb
Former Chicago and Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein, who in 2009 was appointed by President Barack Obama to direct an important executive branch office, had in 2008 co-authored an article containing a plan for the government to prevent the spread of anti-government 'conspiracy theories,' in which he advocated the use of anonymous government agents to engage in 'cognitive infiltration' of these groups in order to break them up. In his new book, Griffin focuses on the fact that Sunstein's primary target is the conspiracy theory advocated by the 9/11 Truth Movement. Examining Sunstein's charge that this theory is both 'harmful' and 'demonstrably false,' Griffin uses both satire and overwhelming evidence to show that this twofold charge applies instead to what Sunstein calls 'the true conspiracy theory' about 9/11--namely, the 'theory that al-Qaeda was responsible for 9/11.'
Synopsis of a Favourable Review
Synopsis: "Cognitive Infiltration: An Obama Appointee’s Plan to Undermine the 9/11 Conspiracy Theory" by David Ray Griffin, reviewed by Kurtis Hagen, delves into a critical examination of an article authored by Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein. In the article, Sunstein proposes that the government and its allies infiltrate groups promoting conspiracy theories deemed false, with a focus on 9/11 conspiracy theories. Griffin's book provides a thorough critique of Sunstein's arguments, addressing each thesis presented in the article.
Griffin's strategy involves suggesting that Sunstein's article may contain an esoteric meaning, intentionally signaling to astute readers that he could not possibly be serious about his literal claims. By doing so, Griffin exposes the clear flaws and fallacies in Sunstein's proposals and arguments. The book defends the "9/11 Truth Movement," which appears to be the main target of Sunstein's proposed infiltrations.
The review highlights how Griffin refutes Sunstein's claim that conspiracy theorists are uninformed or misinformed. Instead, Griffin argues that prominent members of the 9/11 Truth Movement possess substantial and relevant information, challenging Sunstein's characterization. The book raises questions about potential biases in systems that produce such flawed articles and questions the wisdom of entrusting less reliable entities like "government agents or their allies" to determine which historical accounts should be allowed or undermined through covert operations.
In conclusion, Hagen praises Griffin's rigorous and compelling critique of Sunstein's article, which humorously highlights its intellectual bankruptcy. The book not only defends the 9/11 Truth Movement but also raises broader concerns about the implications of such infiltration proposals.