A Mathematical Model for Non-Violent Propaganda: Quantifying Emotional Manipulation in Networks
andrew_n_carr · x · 2026-08-13
Andrew Carr authored a deep dive attempting to use a rigorous mathematical framework to quantify the impact of "non-violent propaganda" in social networks.
Core Theoretical Framework:
- Traditional social network models often ignore the emotional dimension or treat it as a simple linear combination, failing to capture the non-linear effects of persistent signal accumulation.
- The author introduces the Non-Violence Index, an Emotional Sensitivity Operator, and a specialized Propaganda Operator.
- By extending network control theory into the realm of emotional and informational diffusion, the article explains how repeated, subtle signals can guide population emotions and ultimately reach a "propaganda equilibrium."
This theory offers a fresh mathematical perspective for understanding modern information warfare and algorithmic recommendation mechanisms.
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