Cain's 5th Generation Warfare Project

[BabylonHoruv]

Now THIS is some fascinating stuff. While there have been hints and beginnings of this sort of thing (Vietnam showing small groups overcoming a large military machine, Iraq showing small cells disrupting and influencing military strategies), the full force of this is still only just beginning.

I think the most important thing at this stage of development is to ensure the free flow of information. Net neutrality or anything else that disrupts that flow (such as the Chinese blocked sites - working hand in hand with the large internet engines) is probably the biggest obstacle to overcome at this point. I think the best bet is to have a multi-tiered system of information sites. One level operating completely "underground", separate from most websites/servers, linked rarely if at all with limited access. Another level operating as a more publicly accessible, yet low-traffic/profile webspace - something viewable if you look for it for a bit, open to the public but only hinting at the details and plans involved in the purely "underground" repository. The third level a publicly accessible meeting-point, innocuous on the surface, that functions as a clearing-house and public (yet semi-anonymous) meeting area for any interested (pro or con) parties, that operates within whatever legal structures are necessary.

The Islamic jihadist extremists have been developing this sort of multi-tiered information flow for a few years now, so the model seems to be viable, protecting identity while still allowing the dissemination of plans/propaganda/etc. It seems to be the best current model to organize a wide-spread small-cell resistance movement, and is definitely worth looking into for adaptation.

Once information-dissemination is dealt with, how the group is organized is probably the next largest stumbling block. The proportion of organization to independent planning/action is key, IMO. Small, loosely (if at all) connected cells that are capable of independent action yet still coordinated via a central point (whether committee, group or individual) is probably the best bet, but achieving the right balance is key. Too much central control denies cells independent action, too little and the overall movement loses focus when acting towards a goal. Again, the many systems of Islamic jihad are showing some ways that balance is being achieved, with the mullah guiding the overall focus of the group, while giving individual cells the freedom to carry out actions that fit the overall goals of the particular movement. There are many lessons to be learned from what groups gain power and what groups lose it.

This is just off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts - I'm definitely interested in whatever you run across regarding this Cain. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread no doubt.

The fact that the mullah is completely replacable is also vital.

Osama Bin Laden is not an important man.  He is, but kill him and nothing really changes.  decentralizing decision making, as long as certain goals are strived toward, means that the network is much more resilient.

[BabylonHoruv]

Functionally, what is the difference between a super-empowered individual and the more traditional small-cell based guerillas?

And secondly, why the heck has nobody shelled Washington yet?  The information is available and the NSA can't possibly be watching every spot within mortar distance of Congress (and if they are, then just build a bigger and longer range mortar.)

Why would they do that?  Have you seen the effect that convincing some poor schlub to blow his own nuts off has had?  You don't want to take out the slow incompetent beaurocracy that destroys productivity and throttles it's people, you want to make it try to hit back.  Cause it'll miss and hit things you want hit.