Ice skating, Copenhagen — January, 2008

We’re going to get back on track with some design thinking analysis of modes, and off the disruptive organization track.  But this article shows that various operators have been aware of exactly how one disrupts social organizations for a long time.  Pulling a couple of quotes, from the CIA’s predecessor in WW2, the Office of Strategic Services'(OSS) Simple Sabotage Handbook.  These are under ‘General Interference with Organizations and Production’:

“Insist on doing everything through ‘channels’.  Never permit short-cuts to be taken in order to expedite decisions.”

“When possible, refer all matters to committees, for ‘further study and consideration.’  Attempt to make the committees as large as possible — never less than five.”

“Bring up irrelevant issues as frequently as possible.”

“Advocate ‘caution.’  Be ‘reasonable’ and urge your fellow-conferees to be ‘reasonable’ and avoid haste which might result in embarrassments or difficulties later on.”

“Hold conferences when there is more critical work to be done.”

It makes me groan to read through this.  Ugghhhh…

Further Reading:  You can find the original here.  Don’t blame me for triggering your PTSD!