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The third sentence of the article makes the claim of the title without the scary headline. "In operations that contingency planners term “controlled spontaneit

The third sentence of the article makes the claim of the title without the scary headline. "In operations that contingency planners term “controlled spontaneity”, politicians’ statements, vigils and inter-faith events are also negotiated and planned in readiness for any terrorist attack." So that's the story, the govt. has prepared some statements, vigils and inter faith events in the case of a terrorist attack. Read this way, and compared against the alternative of not making such plans, it's not such shock.

atemerev 7y ago
No, it is not that. The government hasn't prepared some statements in their own name. They prepared coordinated plans for astroturfing, simulating organic, grassroots response, with fake actors and accounts. The whole "War of the worlds" scenario, government-operated.
- 0815test 7y ago
  "Crisis actors" - for real, this time around!
  - java-man 7y ago
    this time?
alibarber 7y ago
This reminds me of this great article I found on HN a while back about the Las Vegas incident: https://story.californiasunday.com/las-vegas-shooting https://story.californiasunday.com/las-vegas-shooting Whilst not entirely the same, there are some strong similarities - although it was a PR agency that had co-oridinated that social media response. It was eye opening because I did genuinely believe a lot of this kind of thing was spontaneous, but then again I guess it makes sense for _someone_ to organise it at some level..
thinkingemote 7y ago
The last few paragraphs give opinions about what alternative emergency planning tactics they could use. The article could really do with more detail about this. The choice is not this or nothing it's this or something that's better. For example instead of arranging for fake media stunts they could focus on comforting and consoling the people directly affected. To me the current policy is run by marketeers and is all "optics" . Marketing works but it may not be the best , kindest or authentic response
Crosseye_Jack 7y ago
> So that's the story, the govt. has prepared some statements, vigils and inter faith events in the case of a terrorist attack. They are doing what every major corporation does and even does dry runs for. To claim the masses and get people back on board. I wonder if people would be shocked to hear that the government, broadcasters and companies have plans in place and ready to run in case the Queen dies suddenly?
- AndrewOMartin 7y ago
  "If you ever hear Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix) by Sabres of Paradise on daytime Radio 1, turn the TV on"
  - Crosseye_Jack 7y ago
    >Radio 1 I don’t foresee that happening to me any time soon ;-) But yeah, I get your point. All the big broadcasters have ready to roll setups for things like Royal deaths and “OMFG... This is really happening events”.

atemerev 7y ago

No, it is not that. The government hasn't prepared some statements in their own name. They prepared coordinated plans for astroturfing, simulating organic, grassroots response, with fake actors and accounts. The whole "War of the worlds" scenario, government-operated.

0815test 7y ago
"Crisis actors" - for real, this time around!
- java-man 7y ago
  this time?

alibarber 7y ago

This reminds me of this great article I found on HN a while back about the Las Vegas incident: https://story.californiasunday.com/las-vegas-shooting https://story.californiasunday.com/las-vegas-shooting Whilst not entirely the same, there are some strong similarities - although it was a PR agency that had co-oridinated that social media response. It was eye opening because I did genuinely believe a lot of this kind of thing was spontaneous, but then again I guess it makes sense for _someone_ to organise it at some level..

thinkingemote 7y ago

The last few paragraphs give opinions about what alternative emergency planning tactics they could use. The article could really do with more detail about this. The choice is not this or nothing it's this or something that's better. For example instead of arranging for fake media stunts they could focus on comforting and consoling the people directly affected. To me the current policy is run by marketeers and is all "optics" . Marketing works but it may not be the best , kindest or authentic response

Crosseye_Jack 7y ago

> So that's the story, the govt. has prepared some statements, vigils and inter faith events in the case of a terrorist attack. They are doing what every major corporation does and even does dry runs for. To claim the masses and get people back on board. I wonder if people would be shocked to hear that the government, broadcasters and companies have plans in place and ready to run in case the Queen dies suddenly?

AndrewOMartin 7y ago
"If you ever hear Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix) by Sabres of Paradise on daytime Radio 1, turn the TV on"
- Crosseye_Jack 7y ago
  >Radio 1 I don’t foresee that happening to me any time soon ;-) But yeah, I get your point. All the big broadcasters have ready to roll setups for things like Royal deaths and “OMFG... This is really happening events”.