The Playbook

From: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rikvera_the-playbook-how-to-rule-a-world-by-burning-activity-7313816359748972544-X5N-/

The Playbook: How to Rule a World by Burning Trust to the Ground

Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events or situations is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1: Trust No One (But Me)
First, plant the seed: “They’re all lying to you.”
Who? Doesn’t matter. The government, the scientists, the bankers, the media, your teacher, your neighbor, your thermometer, your mirror.
If it speaks, it’s probably lying—unless it’s you.
You’re the only truth. Everything else is suspect.

Chapter 2: All Systems Are Rigged
Elections? Rigged.
Economy? Controlled by shadowy elites.
Science? Bought and paid for.
Health? A scam.
Justice? A joke.
Democracy? A theater for the naive.
By turning every institution into a caricature of corruption, you create a new truth: nothing is real, so anything can be true.

Chapter 3: Create the Myth of the Lone Hero
Build up the image of a single, untainted, incorruptible savior.
Not part of the system. Hated by the elites. Attacked by the press.
A martyr of truth, sent to “clean up the swamp” (even while installing bigger crocodiles).
Make people believe that one voice, above all others, feels their pain.
That voice? Yours.

Chapter 4: Weaponize Identity
Split people into tribes.
City vs. rural.
Elites vs. real folks.
Us vs. Them.
Facts don’t matter if your tribe tells you what to believe.
The goal is not to unify—it’s to fortify bunkers of belief.

Chapter 5: Flood the Zone with Sh*t
As the wicked data manipulator Alexander Nix once hinted (*), populism thrives on distrust. So make sure there’s no single source of truth.
Make facts debatable.
Say something outrageous.
Say the opposite tomorrow.
Then accuse the fact-checkers of bias.
Confusion is your currency.
Once people can’t tell what’s true, they pick what feels true.

Chapter 6: Label Everything a Conspiracy—Except You
Every expert? Paid off.
Every whistleblower? A plant.
Every critic? A traitor.
Everyone who doesn’t clap? A deep-state operative.
You? Just asking questions. Just speaking common sense. Just the only honest one left in a world of liars.

Chapter 7: Kill Consensus, Starve Compromise
Make moderation look weak.
Make listening to others look like betrayal.
Make complexity a sign of cowardice.
Push extremes.
Push buttons.
Push until the middle vanishes—and you own the edges.

Chapter 8: Erode Memory, Rewrite History
Yesterday’s truth? A fake narrative.
Last week’s scandal? Didn’t happen.
That thing you were caught saying? Misquoted.
History is a tool. Rewrite it to serve the present. Burn the books if you must—then publish your own.

Epilogue: The New World Disorder
This isn’t about governing.
It’s about performing.
You don’t need to solve problems. You need to explain why problems exist—and who to blame.
That’s how you win. Not with solutions. But with enemies.
And when the dust settles, and no one trusts anything anymore…
You become the only thing left to believe in.

(*) Rotterdam april 2018