David
The Delphi Technique: How to Disrupt It
Sun Sep 22 16:36:02 2002
208.152.73.206

The Delphi Technique. What Is It?
http://www.icehouse.net/lmstuter/acf001.htm

The Delphi Technique was originally conceived as a way to obtain the
opinion of experts without necessarily bringing them together face to
face. In recent times, however, it has taken on an all new meaning and
purpose. In Educating for the New World Order by B. Eakman, the reader
finds reference upon reference for the need to preserve the illusion that
there is "…lay, or community, participation (in the decision-making
process), while lay citizens were, in fact, being squeezed out." The
Delphi Technique is the method being used to squeeze citizens out of the
process, effecting a left-wing take over of the schools.

A specialized use of this technique was developed for teachers, the
"Alinsky Method" (ibid, p.123). The setting or group is, however,
immaterial; the point is that people in groups tend to share a certain
knowledge base and display certain identifiable characteristics (known as
group dynamics). This allows for a special application of a basic technique.

The change agent or facilitator goes through the motions of acting as an
organizer, getting each person in the target group to elicit expression of
their concerns about a program, project, or policy in question. The
facilitator listens attentively, forms "task forces," "urges everyone to
make lists," and so on. While s/he is doing this, the facilitator learns
something about each member of the target group. S/He identifies the
"leaders," the "loud mouths," as well as those who frequently turn sides
during the argument — the "weak or noncommittal".

Suddenly, the amiable facilitator becomes "devil's advocate." S/He dons
his professional agitator hat. Using the "divide and conquer" technique,
s/he manipulates one group opinion against the other. This is accomplished
by manipulating those who are out of step to appear "ridiculous,
unknowledgeable, inarticulate, or dogmatic."
S/He wants certain members of the group to become angry, thereby forcing
tensions to accelerate. The facilitator is well trained in psychological
manipulation. S/He is able to predict the reactions of each group member.
Individuals in opposition to the policy or program will be shut out of the
group.

The method works. It is very effective with parents, teachers, school
children, and any community group. The "targets" rarely, if ever, know
that they are being manipulated. Or, if they suspect this is happening, do
not know how to end the process.

The desired result is for group polarization, and for the facilitator to
become accepted as a member of the group and group process. S/He will then
throw the desired idea on the table and ask for opinions during
discussion. Very soon his/her associates from the divided group begin to
adopt the idea as if it were their own, and pressure the entire group to
accept the proposition.

This technique is a very unethical method of achieving consensus on a
controversial topic in group settings.
It requires well-trained professionals who deliberately escalate tension
among group members, pitting one faction against the other, so as to make
one viewpoint appear ridiculous so the other becomes "sensible" whether
such is warranted or not.

The Delphi Technique is based on the Hegelian Principle of achieving
Oneness of Mind through a three step process of thesis, antithesis, and
synthesis. In thesis and antithesis, all present their opinion or views on
a given subject, establishing views and opposing views. In synthesis,
opposites are brought together to form the new thesis. All participants
are then to accept ownership of the new thesis and support it, changing
their own views to align with the new thesis. Through a continual process
of evolution, Oneness of Mind will supposedly occur.

The theory of the Delphi and the reality of the Delphi are, obviously,
quite different — the reality being that Oneness of Mind does not occur but
only the illusion of Oneness of Mind with those who refuse to be Delphi'd
being alienated from participating in the process.

While proponents of education reform feel they are quite justified in this,
the effect of this unethical manipulation of people is to create polarized
camps. In an effort to maintain the process, advocates have marketed a
plethora of publications (such as What's Left After the Right, No Right
Turn and If You Don't, They Will)
intended to label, castigate, and alienate anyone who does not go along
with them. As a result, parents come to understand that their role in
education reform is merely perfunctory; that the outcome is preset, that
they are not but the rah-rah team so when opposition does arise, advocates
of education reform can say, "we had community input."

To make sure that the situation is controlled, only those parents who agree
with the process are allowed on the restructuring teams. New participants
are carefully screened to ensure that education reform goes forward
unquestioned.

If measurable opposition persists, advocates are told, get the local
ministers on board. Take steps to neutralize, by whatever means necessary,
the opposition. In some places, opponents have been harassed, both at home
and on the job, personal property has been damaged and vandalized, people
have lost their jobs.
Anyone who does not go along with the restructuring of our society is
susceptible to the totalitarian tactics of those promoting education reform
– whether it be parents, teachers, principals, superintendents or board
members. The need exists for advocates to maintain an iron grip on the
process. They cannot, for instance, withstand open public debate of the
issues. Therefore, they do not partake in public forums. They cannot
withstand the criticism, so they close every avenue for parents to address
the issues. They are rapidly creating, through their divisive tactics, a
volatile situation. America is being torn apart.

Parents, citizens, teachers, principals, superintendents who are opposed to
the new purpose being given our American education system need tools to
withstand the process being used to bring it in — against the Delphi
Technique and consensus which, through their basis in the Hegelian
Principle, have Marxist connections and purposes.

First, no opportunity must be left untaken to expose this unethical,
divisive process. Second, when this process is used, it can be
disrupted. To do so, however, one must be able to recognize when the
Delphi Technique is being used, and how to disrupt it.

The Delphi Technique: How to Disrupt It
http://www.icehouse.net/lmstuter/acf002.htm