Practise to Deceive

Learning Curves of Military Deception Planners

Nonfiction, History, Military
Cover of the book Practise to Deceive by Barton Whaley, Naval Institute Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Barton Whaley ISBN: 9781612519838
Publisher: Naval Institute Press Publication: January 15, 2016
Imprint: Naval Institute Press Language: English
Author: Barton Whaley
ISBN: 9781612519838
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Publication: January 15, 2016
Imprint: Naval Institute Press
Language: English
Some cultures are clearly more deceptive than others but only during any given slice of time. No single culture has excelled in deceptiveness throughout its history. While the Chinese did rise to the highest level of military deviousness during the time of Sun Tzu (c.350 BC), they had low levels before Master Sun, and afterwards largely lost it during three long periods, only to regain it each time. The most recent Chinese loss was when they fell to the lowest level from the late 1700s until being conquered in 1948 by the stratagemic Chinese Communists (PLA). Thence the PLA has displayed high if not the highest levels of deceptiveness, although there are indications that, beginning in 2002, they are again on the upswing.

The levels of guilefulness at any given time can be quite different across the major disciplines of military, domestic politics, foreign diplomacy, and commercial business. Perceived practical considerations of greed and survival do sometimes override religious, moral, or ethical factors to produce deceptive behavior.

The levels of guilefulness at any given point in time between any two contemporary armed entities (nations, insurgents, or terrorists) are apt to be asymmetric.

Deception sophistication is independent of technological change. Within each culture deception varies widely in its levels of sophistication. High, medium, and low levels were found in every culture at different times and regardless of its level of technology. The reason? Because deception is a mind game, it is played only between or among humans. And this condition will remain as long as machines such as computers lack artificial intelligence.

Because deception is a mind game, the variations in guilefulness between opposing individuals or groups can be crucial in deciding the victor in combat.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Some cultures are clearly more deceptive than others but only during any given slice of time. No single culture has excelled in deceptiveness throughout its history. While the Chinese did rise to the highest level of military deviousness during the time of Sun Tzu (c.350 BC), they had low levels before Master Sun, and afterwards largely lost it during three long periods, only to regain it each time. The most recent Chinese loss was when they fell to the lowest level from the late 1700s until being conquered in 1948 by the stratagemic Chinese Communists (PLA). Thence the PLA has displayed high if not the highest levels of deceptiveness, although there are indications that, beginning in 2002, they are again on the upswing.

The levels of guilefulness at any given time can be quite different across the major disciplines of military, domestic politics, foreign diplomacy, and commercial business. Perceived practical considerations of greed and survival do sometimes override religious, moral, or ethical factors to produce deceptive behavior.

The levels of guilefulness at any given point in time between any two contemporary armed entities (nations, insurgents, or terrorists) are apt to be asymmetric.

Deception sophistication is independent of technological change. Within each culture deception varies widely in its levels of sophistication. High, medium, and low levels were found in every culture at different times and regardless of its level of technology. The reason? Because deception is a mind game, it is played only between or among humans. And this condition will remain as long as machines such as computers lack artificial intelligence.

Because deception is a mind game, the variations in guilefulness between opposing individuals or groups can be crucial in deciding the victor in combat.

More books from Naval Institute Press

Cover of the book The Dragon's War by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Horrible Shipwreck! by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book South Pacific Cauldron by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Requiem for Battleship Yamato by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book A Handful of Bullets by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Rocky Boyer's War by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Six Essential Elements of Leadership by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Sherman Invades Georgia by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book The Last Sentry by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Intrepid Sailors by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book The Kissing Sailor by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book A Death in Geneva by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Grace Hopper by Barton Whaley
Cover of the book Bold Endeavors by Barton Whaley
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy