#systems_thinking

The system works off assuming the integrity of others. Identity security online is a huge trusting honor system. The online world is more catered to the acceptance of pseudonym names and we base our interactions off these names.

With names used as an identity trait, we can then use other publicly available information as supporting evidence. If we replicate / copy this data, which takes the shape of personal information, pictures, and posts, we can create an image of a person that is identity purely on the level of the victims.To create less of a ripple effect, we join the group under a fake student name. Then as the week continues, we build the profile from the elements up to the name and profile image (as they are the quickest to identify).

In a world where all you have is names, pictures and profiles, it's easy to take on the image. Like everything, it is the OPSEC that is hard. You can't fool timestamps and numbers (easily) and if you look closely the truth is evident. Facebook kindly gives you all the tools necessary to fool yourself. I used the 'View As' feature to make sure the profiles looks believable and similar to one another.

Finally, once all the elements are satisfactory. We act in assumption that we are who we are, and engage with the target's audience using whatever privileges we had obtained in the identity theft.

As an objective, I wanted information that in no regular circumstance I should not be able to receive as the copied target. That was the student signature, which is not given on assessment cover sheets. I forged together a convincing cover sheet and asked them to submit them to an arbitrary position which I assume I have control of. For this instance I responsibly disclosed the sheets to the lecturer's email and requested collection for the submission.

I have decided for my first System's Thinking assignment to examine the Honour system. The honour system exists as one of the longest running  human social system to date, and throughout history has evolved and continues to expand in both influence and complexity. 

Wikipedia states that:

"A person engaged in an honour system has a strong negative concept of breaking or going against it. The negatives may include community shame, loss of status, loss of a personal sense of integrity and pride or in extreme situations, banishment from one's community."

This definition is limited, as it only approaches the honour system from a generalised and objectified sense. In modern times we find ourselves surrounded by information warfare, subterfuge, insurgency and even corruption in our own government, and so there is no better time to re-evaluate exactly what the honour system represents to society and culture, and how it impacts and ensnares our actions and behaviour.

How the Honour System Works

As mentioned above in the wikipedia article, an honour system exploits an individual's hesitation to break or rebel against the rules implied by either the system itself, the individual who is subjugated by the system or by an overarching but not present authority such as the government or society. It exists purely as a social construct to maintain order and encourage uni-directional thinking. Our 'decision' to submit to an honour system is often reinforced by the fear of punishment or a fall in perceived status, however most of the time we would argue that we are simply doing the 'right thing'. 

I mentioned above one of the scenarios that binds us to submission to an honour system is those who are already subject to the grip of the system. I mention this again to stress the perpetual nature of honour systems upon our decision making: Once we confirm our submission, escape is extremely difficult and almost unnatural. Honour systems have the capacity to reshape our definition of morality and often they do so without any chance of conscious thought. By that definition, honour systems are one of the most effective ways to coerce the public into conforming to ideal behaviours and standards. 

Why should we Exploit It

Why else If not only to understand how much we invest in social systems. Maybe to attempt to grasp at a new perspective and understanding to why we unconditionally agree to such systems. We absolutely must do it to ensure that we are not coerced into agreeing into something which clashes with our morals and expectations to the world. And if not for any of that then of course for personal gain.

An analysis of entry passage of the public bus system. Conditional objectives here is an attempt to stem the response from the boarding public, who are the most informed at your exploit in this scenario. The objective here is to convince the driver that you have boarded with a ticket. The driver is the 'Authority' in this situation, with public collateral. It's a good idea to know the field of vision of the authority and also the methods of validation in this instance, i.e. The sound effect and visual stimuli, which can be simulated using a pre-recorded instance of ticket validation and obstructing vision with your body.

Examples of Honour Systems

We can find the obvious honour systems all around us. These things an be as simple as:

Paying for your Ticket on Public Transport

Putting money in the church basket

Being fair in educative examinations

But I would rather shy away from just the simple things and look a little deeper. The following are some examples of honour systems that we obey on a subconscious level.

Using our Real Information in Person

Performing / Obeying the Instructions of Signs

Responding to Colours and Uniform

Subjugation to Authority

Being Civilised

Authentically Representing Yourself

Telling the Truth

Believing in the Truth of Others (Especially Advertising)

'Lining Up' to utilise services

It's very clear at this point that honour systems revolve around the trust (well placed or misplaced) we have in our expectations for others to act and respond in a particular way, given an agenda. An authentic way.  An expected way. A traditional way. 

The switch from from being a slave to the system and exploiting it can be as simple as rethinking our behaviour, but the fact is societies and our upbringing condition us to respond, think and feel a very particular way. A very predictable and honest way. Even the thought of rebellion has attached negative connotations which people do not wish to risk.

How to Exploit Weaknesses in the System

Rule 1: Think Independently or scientifically. The whole point of an honour system is a uni-directional way of responding and thinking. It is a type of conformism system. You can often find ways to exploit an honour system through scientific analysis, but in order to find an honour system, a critical eye to human behaviour and reduced inhibition for collaterals will go a long way.

Rule 2: Identifying the purpose of the system. Why has the system been implemented here, and to what ends is the system expected to meet? Finding answers to these questions will grant us everything we need to find the weaknesses and develop exploits. For example:

You are a budding business student. As you are walking between classes, you take a wrong turn and end up standing in front of an open passage way, with a sign to the side saying "No Student Access. Staff Only". Observing for a while, the corridor is mostly empty but for the few staff members walking between rooms and from their offices to their classes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_system

Here we are presented with an honour system. The implementation of this honour system is an inanimate object, namely the sign which dictates instructions which we are expected to obey. That is: "Staff Only Access. If you are a student, you cannot be here". This 'statement' is a suggestion from an overarching authority, which is the staff or university. What prevents you from entering isn't the law of physics, it is the honour system that you obey from the fear of consequence. What that consequence is, isn't important... It's the fact that it is there.

This example does more than just keep students out though. It also states that only staff members are allowed within. This creates an objective to exploit, that is, to take advantage of the staff only policy. What makes a staff member? Is it a nice, formal outfit? A lanyard with gold flavor text? A name? How does one validate staff member? Would people want to risk confrontation to confirm your identity? And if they did, would you be obliged to identify yourself to them? These are all questions worth asking and give us suggestions on how we can deceive those who are part of the system.