The Cognitive Crucible

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Chris Stirewalt discusses the state of media as presented in his latest book: Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back. Chris believes that a major component of the challenges faced by news consumers can be explained by “demand side” dynamics. We also discuss KayFabe and News/Political Operatives. Recording Date: 6 Aug 2024 Research Question: Guest suggests as interested student examine:  Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #62 Jonathan Rauch on the Constitution of Knowledge #76 Yuval Levin on the Constitution & Institutions Chris Stirewalt Dispatch Chris Stirewalt AEI Chris Stirewalt wikipedia Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back by Chris Stirewalt KayFabe Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Chris Stirewalt is a contributing editor at The Dispatch, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, the politics editor for NewsNation and anchor of The Hill Sunday, co-host of the Ink Stained Wretches podcast, and author of Broken News, a book on media and politics. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Nick Loui of PeakMetrics discusses the evolution of the internet, challenges posed by fragmented platforms, and the importance of addressing misinformation. Nick explores the dynamics of social media, particularly TikTok, and the need for companies to proactively manage their online reputation. Our conversation also covered data processing challenges, sentiment analysis, and the significance of narrative in understanding online trends. Recording Date: 10 Oct 2024 Research Question: Nick Loui suggests an interested student or researcher examine correlating earned media impact to outcome, which is challenged due to data privacy issues.  Resources: PeakMetrics Nick Loui on LinkedIn PeakMetrics narrative intelligence guide Harmony Labs Large Multimodal Models Okta Statement on LAPSUS$ Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Nick Loui is the Co-Founder and CEO of PeakMetrics, a leading company specializing in AI-driven narrative threat intelligence. They assist organizations in various sectors by identifying and forecasting the evolution of adversarial messages online. As concerns about social media manipulation continue to rise alongside the proliferation of generative AI, PeakMetrics’ innovative approach has gained recognition and received awards such as the NSIN COVID-19 Disinformation Challenge and the BAE Fast Labs Partner of the Year. Their technology supports a diversity of complex issues, including crisis management, financial manipulation, and countering state-sponsored propaganda. Prior to founding PeakMetrics, Nick served as the Chief Marketing Officer of an ad-tech startup. During his time, the startup expanded from its initial hire to a team of over 80 members and secured over $70M in funding. He began his career as an engineer and digital marketer, helping Ashton Kutcher become the first person to amass a million followers on Twitter. Nick has been featured by Forbes and garnered viral attention on HackerNews and TechCrunch for his creation of "Parrot.vc," a generative AI tool that humorously targeted the VC community. Nick has held leadership positions at NEXUS, a global community dedicated to bridging the gap between individuals of wealth and social entrepreneurship, and Out in Tech, a global non-profit that supports 50k LGBTQIA+ tech workers in 32 cities. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Sharon Russell lends her 20+ years of emergency response experience to the forum. Our discussion includes Sharon’s experience as the Deputy Incident Commander for the response to the Key Bridge incident, which happened in March 2024. Recording Date: 4 Sept 2024 Research Question: Sharon Russell suggests an interested student examine ways of developing responses to public information questions faster; go back 20-30 years of lessons learned data to identify communications strategies that worked and did not work. Resources: ‘Remarkably complex’ cleanup effort ramps up at site of Baltimore bridge collapse FEMA website FEMA Incident Command System Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio:  Ms. Sharon Russell is the Engagement Branch Chief and Deputy Division Chief of the Allies and Partners Force Development (APFD) Division, which is part of the Joint Staff Directorate for Force Development in Suffolk, Virginia.  This division uses coordinated engagements to develop collaborative force development capabilities between the Joint Force and its Allies and Partners. Ms. Russell also has 22 years of service in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. She is a commissioned officer currently assigned as the Reserve Chief of Staff for the Coast Guard’s 13th District.  Her military experience includes assignments focused on Marine Safety and Port Security, as well as emergency responses to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005), Irma (2017), and Florence and Matthew (2018).  Other response operations include Deepwater Horizon (2010), the capsized vessel GOLDEN RAY (2019) and the Key Bridge Response (2024).  She served as the lead planner for Maritime Security for the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida in 2012 coordinating 27 interagency organizations and provided security for 50,000 delegates, protectees and media.  In 2021, she served as the Coast Guard’s Incident Commander for COVID-19 vaccine operations, successfully leading the effort to vaccinate over 95% of the Coast Guard. Prior to her current assignment, CAPT Russell was assigned to the APFD Division as a Reservist, where she was hand-selected by the Division Chief to lead the highest priority effort, conducting a thorough analysis of the Joint Warfighting Concept and providing recommendations for release to Allies and partners.  Prior to joining the Coast Guard, Ms. Russell served at the US Department of State as the Office of Foreign Missions designated senior international environmental policy expert and advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary.  Her work focused on customs and shipping regulations for the import/export of hazardous materials and relevant diplomatic immunities for the Conditions of Construction Agreement (COCA) negotiations between the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Department.  With her experience in crisis management and long-range strategic planning from both a military and civilian perspective, Ms. Russell provides key leadership to inform current and future strategic issues affecting Allies and partners. Ms. Russell is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Emory University with a concentration in Spanish and Russian language.  She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Environmental Policy from American University and a Master of Arts degree in Emergency Management from Tulane University.  She now resides in Suffolk, Virginia with her husband Marty.  About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, MAJ Scott Hall discusses his paper: Enhancing Mounted Maneuver Operations by Setting Conditions of Advantage through Information Environment Effects Synchronization, which is getting published in Armor magazine in the Fall 2024 edition. Recording Date: 26 Sept 2024 Research Question: Scott Hall suggests interested students examine:  What are the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating Information Operations across all domains and services, and how can joint forces Information forces coordination and application be improved? How can the DIME (Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic) framework be leveraged to achieve a more comprehensive and integrated approach to Information Operations? What role can artificial intelligence and machine learning play in processing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns and trends in Information Advantage Dimensions? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #166 John Agnello on Information Advantage Enhancing Mounted Maneuver Operations by Setting Conditions of Advantage through Information Environment Effects Synchronization by Scott Hall Large Language Model Course of Action Analysis Dynamic Generative Large Language Model for Continuous Situational Awareness Stratagem: Deception and Surprise in War by Barton Whaley The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War by Thaddeus Holt Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War by P. W. Singer and August Cole Unrestricted Warfare by COL Qiao Liang and COL Wang Xiangsui Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: MAJ Scott C. Hall is the U.S. Army Cyber (ARCYBER) G-39 Influence Branch and ARCYBER Trans-Regional Information Advantage Detachment (TIAD) Lead Information Advantage Planner, Fort Eisenhower, GA. His previous assignments include: U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR-AF) G-5 Plans Eastern Campaign Branch, Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Squadron Executive Officer, 1st Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, 316th Cavalry Brigade, Fort Benning, GA. National Training Center (NTC) Live Fire Combined Arms Battalion Lead "Dragon 11," Operations Group, NTC Combined Arms Battalion Company OC/T “Scorpion 11”, Operations Group NTC, Fort Irwin, CA., Troop Commander, Havoc Troop (HHT), 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd IBCT (Airborne), Grafenwöhr, Germany, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General – Maneuver, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX and Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan, Platoon Leader, 3rd Platoon, C Company (Tank), 2nd Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX and Baghdad, Iraq.  MAJ Hall’s military education includes; US Army Cyber Operations Planner Course (COPC), Joint Cyber Operations Planner Course (JCOPC), Joint Information Operations Planner Course (JIOPC), US Army Space Cadre Basic Course, US Army Special Technical Operations Planner Course, Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Special Operations Forces (SOF) Information Advantage and Intelligence Integration Course, JSOU SOF Influence and Operations in the Information Environment, Joint Military Deception Training Course (JMTC), US Army Theater Army Staff Course, Information Operations Officer Qualification Course, Command and General Staff College, US Air Force Joint Firepower Course, NTC OC/T Certification Course, US Army Jumpmaster Course, US Army Pathfinder Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course, Combative Level 1, US Army Airborne School, US Army Armor Officer Basic Course, and US Army Air Assault School.  MAJ Hall holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Project Management from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s degree in Military History from Norwich University, VT. MAJ Hall’s awards includes; a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award), and NATO Medal – Afghanistan, the Combat Action Badge, Senior Rated Parachutist Badge, Army Space Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Air Assault Badge. MAJ Hall also holds the German Silver Parachutist Badge and the Romanian Parachutist Badge and holds a Bronze Order of Saint George Medallion and an Order of Saint Maurice Medallion. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.