The Art & Science of Metawar

"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true." (Kierkegaard)

At Le Hack 2023, Winn Schwartau introduced us to The Art & Science of Metawar: Reality Distortion, Dis-information Warfare, Cognitive Infrastructure Manipulation, and Hacking Control of the Human Experience for God & Country, Power & Profit. At Le Hack 2024, he will walk us through the complete Metawar Thesis and offer some insights on how humanity can mount cognitive defenses. Metawar is the art and science of creating believable experiences to influence, alter, and define your sense of reality. It is the battle for control over your identity, sense of truth, and belief systems outside your conscious awareness. On the global stage, metawar represents the 6th domain of warfare. The metawar thesis is quite straightforward:

Storytelling is fundamental to human communications and ideally creates an Immersive Experience which brings the audience inside the story. It relies upon Reality Distortion to make the narrative convincing by the use of TMI/Information-Overload/Disinformation to form mental images through which the story is told. Using Manipulation the participants’ worldview and belief systems are altered. Reward systems target the human mind with digital opioids developing an Addiction to the narrative. The storyteller can then induce behaviors Compliance through repetition and fear. That is how to create undying, absolute Belief.

Humanity was not built to survive technology; we were only built to survive nature. In the last seventy years, we have terraformed a global cognitive infrastructure that is evolving to be an existential threat to humanity.

• Abuse of Personally Identifiable Behavior (Tech predicts human reactions)

• TMI/Information Overload (Mental DOS/DDoS, confusion)

• Tech Anxiety/Stress (FOMO, distraction, battery/power, acceptance)

• Digital Addiction (Big Tech profit-induced dopamine, emotional)

• The Algorithm (AI, Giving up decision-making, exploiting PIB, closing the loop)

The Metawar Thesis employs the latest neuroscience and psychological research. It offers ways to strengthen our mental immune systems using the fundamentals of cybersecurity as a guide.

Humanity must learn to adapt to and coexist with the technologies we have created. Get ready for a ride that questions what it means to be a human and how much agency you really have.

With metawar, reality is only a keystroke away.

/ winnschwartau / / winnschwartau

leHACK website: https://www.lehack.org

leHACK's twitter: / lehack

leHACK instagram : / lehack

In this episode, computer security expert Winn Schwartau returns to the show to discuss the concept of the metawar, why disinformation is so rampant online and why we must protect ourselves from it, whether our society is headed towards a 'ready player one' future or a 'star trek holodeck' future from a technological standpoint, digital provenance, coexistence with technology, how technology could destroy humanity, AI's role in the metawar, the metaverse, and much more!

Check out Winn's work and purchase his books here: https://winnschwartau.com/

Christian's Links & Other Work: https://linktr.ee/christianreeve or www.christianreeve.com/links

CornCon 9: The Rise of AI

CornCon Cybersecurity Conference

RiverCenter, Davenport, IA

Oct 6-7, 2023

www.corncon.net

The Art & Science of Metawar – How to Co-Exist With AI-Driven Reality Distortion, Disinformation, & Addiction in the Metaverse

"The Metaverse is the Most Powerful, Addictive, Reality Distortion Machine Ever Conceived… and it Can Predict the Future.

The metaverse is misunderstood. It’s not Ready Player One or Snow Crash - at least not today and despite what Big Tech promises. That’s a long way off.

The metaverse is simply an evolving storytelling environment in which humans have congregated for millennia to experience alternate, immersive, and simulated realities, with or without technology. Storytelling is designed to influence mental and physical perceptions suiting the purposes of the content creators.

Metawar is the art of applying science to create and defend against the influence of alternate realities in any version of the metaverse. What if we can longer rely on our senses to determine what is real and what is fiction?

My research into Metawar initially focused on metaversal technologies. Unexpectedly, it morphed into an intensely personal experience, triggering my own Metanoia, which had a profound impact on the entire Metawar Thesis."

In this thrilling episode, Russ & Less dive into the digital battleground with none other than cybersecurity legend Winn Schwartau! 🛡️💻 Get ready for a deep dive into the world of cyber threats, digital defense strategies, and the ever-evolving landscape of online security. Winn shares eye-opening insights from his latest book, The Art & Science of Meta War, exploring how modern conflicts are fought in cyberspace and what that means for YOU. 💥🔥

Tune in for an electrifying conversation that could change the way you think about your online safety. Don't miss this chance to arm yourself with knowledge from one of the best in the business!

🔗 Watch now and stay secure!

Pioneering the Cyber Battlefield: A Deep Dive with Winn Schwartau, Cybersecurity Luminary

Get ready for an extraordinary episode as we sit down with Winn Schwartau, a true pioneer and luminary in the world of cybersecurity. Winn's impact on the field is nothing short of legendary, and in this podcast interview, we uncover the profound insights and experiences that have shaped his unparalleled career.

Winn Schwartau's journey began long before the mainstream recognition of cybersecurity as a critical discipline. As a thought leader and visionary, he foresaw the digital threats that would come to define our interconnected age. Join us as we delve into the early days of cybersecurity and explore the foresight that led Winn to become a trailblazer in the industry.

An accomplished author, speaker, and strategist, Winn Schwartau has been at the forefront of shaping cybersecurity policies and practices. From his groundbreaking book "Information Warfare" to his influential work on the concept of the "Electronic Pearl Harbor," Winn has consistently pushed the boundaries of conventional thinking in cybersecurity.

In this podcast episode, Winn shares his unique perspective on the evolution of cyber threats, the challenges faced by individuals and organizations, and the urgent need for a paradigm shift in cybersecurity strategy. Prepare to be captivated by the stories and experiences that have fueled Winn's advocacy for a more resilient and secure digital world.

Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, an enthusiast, or simply intrigued by the profound impact of technology on our lives, this conversation with Winn Schwartau promises to be a journey through the past, present, and future of cybersecurity.

Don't miss the chance to gain unparalleled insights from a true cybersecurity luminary. Tune in and discover the wisdom that only Winn Schwartau can bring to the table in this illuminating podcast interview.

Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-825

Thanks to Sayers and BarCode Live for the opportunity to share with their audience. This Sayers-sponsored event included amazing BBQ, refreshing drinks, and a prime networking opportunity with fellow industry professionals. Those in attendance also witnessed a captivating conversation on Winn's Metawar thesis! 

What we're really talking about is what it means to be a human being.

Winn Schwartau

Big thank you to BarCode Security for the opportunity! Watch the full interview above.

SESSION TITLE:METAWAR

RECORDED:8/10/23

VENUE:Virgil's Real BBQ

LOCATION:Las Vegas, NV

GUEST:Winn Schwartau

SPONSOR:Sayers

TIMESTAMPS:

0:02:30 - Introduction to the METAWAR Project and the challenge of reality distortion

0:04:00 - Explanation of the six steps of the METAWAR thesis

0:05:58 - Discussion on immersive experiences and reality distortion

0:09:37 - Explanation of reality distortion and the difference between disinformation and misinformation

0:15:38 - Discussion on the addictive nature of rewards in the metaverse

0:18:02 - Exploration of the potential benefits of the metaverse

0:20:50 - Conversation on the impact of the metaverse on mental and physical health

0:26:48 - Discussion on the fluid nature of the metaverse and the potential for involuntary addiction

0:28:49 - Explanation of compliance and the need for governance in the metaverse

0:30:45 - Fun question about opening a metaverse-themed bar and signature drinks

EVENT VIDEO

see episode page

EVENT PHOTOS

see episode page

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Reality Distortion, Dis-information Warfare, Cognitive Infrastructure Manipulation, and Hacking Control of the Human Experience for God & Country, Power & Profit

By Winn Schwartau, the ”Civilian Architect of Information Warfare” (Commodore Pat Tyrrell OBE Royal Navy, 1996) and author of Information Warfare: Chaos on the Information Superhighway

A long time ago, on June 27, 1991, I testified before the US Congress and warned that the then-emerging internet was ripe for Cyberterrorism, Cyberwar, Cybercrime, the loss of privacy, and a potential Electronic Pearl Harbor. I called it Information Warfare.

One Congressman asked me that day, Mr. Schwartau, why would the bad guys ever want to use the internet? which, fast-forwarded more than three decades to today now reads, Mr. Schwartau, why would the bad guys ever want to use the metaverse?

Today, tens of billions of dollars and euros are being spent by global technology giants to digitally terraform the first generation of simulations; multi-user interactive virtual worlds with varying degrees of immersion, meant to captivate and addict hundreds of millions of people to a new realities.

They propound the vast benefits the Metaverse brings to humankind. I call it an existential threat to humanity.

Metawar is the art of applying science to create alternate realities, so immersive, as to be indistinguishable from our default reality; the one we have been born into. When technology can do that, we will have reached the meta point, from which there may well be no escape.

Join me on a tour of the 6th domain of conflict:

It’s called Metawar and the battle is for control of your mind and your reality. And it scares the hell out of me.

With metawar, the attack surfaces and vectors are not silicon devices or binary coded instructions as with information warfare. Metawarriors target living carbon bio-chemical systems and the highly malleable imperfect probabilistic nature of the human sensory systems and the mind.

We will examine the history of the metaverse since 1920, learn about Mass Social Engineering through the addictive qualities of technology and immersive experiences which define our beliefs and behavior.

As technologies mature, we will reach the Metapoint; when the immersion and simulated experience cannot be distinguished from our current default reality.

Join me on a tour of the 6th domain of conflict:

It s called Metawar and the battle is for control of your mind and your reality. And it scares the hell out of me.

leHACK website: https://www.lehack.org

leHACK's twitter: / _lehack_

leHACK instagram : / _lehack_

The metaverse is an evolving storytelling environment in which humans have congregated for millennia to experience alternate, immersive, and simulated realities, with or without technology. Storytelling is designed to influence mental and physical perceptions suiting the purposes of the content creators.

Metawar is the art of applying science to create and defend against the influence of alternate realities in the metaverse. What if we can longer rely on our senses to determine what is real and what is fiction?

Winn's research into Metawar initially focused on metaversal technologies. Unexpectedly, it morphed into an intensely personal experience, triggering Winn's own Metanoia, which had a profound impact on the entire Metawar Thesis. Winn joins Business Security Weekly to share his Metanoia.

Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/bsw for all the latest episodes!

Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/bsw-318

00:00 - Metawar, CSILs actionable strategy, and more on Security Weekly

01:03 - Secure edge computing with AT &T cybersecurity insights

04:43 - Discussing Metaverse and War with John Voorhees

08:29 - Metaverses benefits and risks

12:40 - Neuroscientists need to tap into senses for immersion

17:49 - Social medias impact on storytelling

19:30 - Destabilising human brain with disinformation, manipulation

24:08 - Early science supports manipulation of history

29:14 - Ethical questions surrounding metaverse AI

33:10 - Thank you for your outstanding questions

This session will welcome attendees into the 6th Domain of Warfare: There metaverse. Learn how tech giants are digitally terraforming the 1st generation of reality-bending immersive multi-user simulations where a few, powerful, incredibly rich organizations can hack reality, decide people's thoughts and beliefs, and control behavior. The privacy and security threats are in themselves mind-boggling.

https://www.rsaconference.com/library#q=the%20art%20of%20metawar%20hacking%20%20weaponizing%20the%20metaverse%20to%20redefine%20reality&sort=%40industrytopiccontentdate%20descending&numberOfResults=25