About

Each contributor to Dreaming 5GW brings a unique perspective to the theory of Fifth Gradient Warfare (or Fifth Generation Warfare).  Since the creation of this blog began with a sometimes-hesitant, but always prospective, exploration of the topic of 5GW, and new contributors to D5GW have been added since the creation of this blog, many early entries have been superseded by later blog entries expanding or revising or rejecting the ideas contained in those earlier posts.  This has been a collaborative effort -- a collaborative effort still in process.  While general consensus may be found here concerning the overall aspects of 5GW, many disagreements might be found here as well.  Each blog post is the creation of a single author and as such may not represent the views held by the other contributors to D5GW.

Following are some observations on the topic of 5GW pulled from entries on D5GW or from other writings of the contributors which may give a general framework for understanding the topic as we approach it; however, the only real source may be the blog itself and the many threaded conversations which have occurred over the years.  (Of note: the 5GW Theory Timeline, which may give a more solid overview of the earliest development of the idea.)

Just as the abandonment of GMW (The Generations of Modern War) is a critical step in the evolution of XGW theory, the abandonment of “Generation” is the next step. Consider the many criticisms of “4GW” available on the web. Previously, proponents of XGW had to argue against these criticism, and assert that the critics did not really understand 4GW. Now, proponents can agree with the criticism, generalize them to criticism of GMW, and present XGW as an alternative.

I propose Grade, thus making XGW X Grade War Theory. The first four definitions of “grade” are:

• A stage or degree in a process.
• A position in a scale of size, quality, or intensity: a poor grade of lumber.
• An accepted level or standard.
• A set of persons or things all falling in the same specified limits; a class.

These fit how G is used in XGW theory.

Grade also has the benefit of not having the strict timeline implications of “generation” while not doing away entirely with the parts of the timeline of XGW that make sense.

(Dan tdaxp, 5-27-2008 The Terminology of xGW writing at tdaxp.)

My personal epiphany, while reading Armstrong in the midst of the ongoing ‘blog dialog (diablog?), is that none of the “generational” models are necessarily exclusive — nor for that matter are they strategic.  Rather, they are simply tactical methods that one may choose to apply in the achievement of an objective or the fulfillment of a task..

(deichmans, 6-13-2008 GW Theory Cast Too High?)

5GW is the secret deliberative manipulation of actors, networks, institutions, states or any 2GW/3GW/4GW forces to achieve a goal or set of goals across a combination of socio, economic, and political domains while attempting to avoid or minimize the retaliatory offensive or defensive actions/reactions of 2GW, 3GW and 4GW powered actors, networks, institutions, and/or states.

(PurpleSlog, 4-17-2008 PurpleSlog’s 5GW Working Definition 0.91.)

An emergent theory of warfare premised upon manipulation of multiple economic, political, social and military forces in multiple domains to effect positional changes in systems and achieve a consilience of effects to leverage a specific goal or set of circumstances.

(Arherring, 1-12-07 Working Defintion V. 2.3.)

So, then, how could a hidden 5GW force defeat a fuzzy 4GW force?  Influence it to fight another force, one it already despises  — and, preferably, one it cannot defeat.  Or, introduce dispute within it, of the sort that would paralyze its activities, create massive amounts of in-fighting.  Or, befriend it; give it real accomplishments (perhaps by surreptitiously influencing other parties who can give them these) which, nonetheless, lead to final outcomes quite different than it originally intended. Because a 4GW force tends to be decentralized, dependent on local actors and local activities, focus on influencing them. Do not try to destroy the 4GW force; focus on changing it....

Unlike 4GW networks and...other types of military organizations, 5GWarriors will utilize 4GW, 3GW, etc., forces to accomplish their goals, as well as financial organizations, NGO’s, artists, journalists and celebrities.  This might not necessarily be an attempt at destruction of any of these other entities, since the 5GW network might actually benefit from the ascension of another force.

The strategy of a 5GW force, in utilizing emergence, is the shaping of new paradigms which will shape the geo-economic-social-political framework.  The only theater of operation is global; and the only goal is global domination.  But most people will not realize that they have been dominated.

(Curtis Gale Weeks, 10-7-2006 Initiating 5GW.)

Like darknets, 5GW groups are closed-source information networks. They both subvert law and order from within, and their small size and internal cohesion makes them effectively invisible to authorities. Just as open-source software development is used as a model for networked insurgent organization, we can use invitation-only and friend/family darknets as 5GW analytical models.

Also, the core-periphery relationship between the larger super-users and the smaller darknets mirrors the relationship between 5GW organizations and the unwitting pawns that they manipulate. How so?  Just as the super-users’ aggregated content trickles down to the darknets, 5GW misinformation and misdirection is injected into the public sphere, where it is disseminated among smaller groups of individuals.  These groups of individuals can range from social communities to informal groups of friends—what is important is that they spread the 5GW misinformation virally, amplifying and mutating the original effects of the propaganda.

(Adam Elkus, 11-22-2007 Darknet:  A Model for 5GW Organization.)

To wit, 5GW isn’t necessarily a conglomerative effort but an individual effort. Further, 5GW entails an unprecedented province. Contrary to conventional warfare which evolves around the very closed source context of gathering and acting upon secret intelligence, 5GW entails mastering the overt, obvious, sometimes spectacular realm of information.....

5GW transcends even the most dynamic 4GW event in that it can non-kinetically originate, manifest, mature, afflict and intellectually conscript the same culture from which it originates.

(subadei, 5-14-2007 "War is Theater" and Why 5GW Might Be "Redefined" writing at Soob.)