Cheat Commandos

Cheat Commandos refers to the systematic study and exploitation of leverage points within complex systems, where actors can achieve disproportionate effects through strategic intervention. The concept emerged from cybernetics research in the 1970s, particularly in relation to understanding how small inputs could generate outsized outputs in nonlinear systems.

The framework identifies three primary "command" categories:

1. Information Manipulation Exploiting information flows within a system by introducing strategic noise or selective filtering. This connects to variety attenuation in how systems process and respond to information.

2. Feedback Hijacking Redirecting or modifying feedback loops to alter system behavior. This often involves identifying and manipulating key control parameters that govern system dynamics.

3. Boundary Gaming Exploiting the system boundaries and interfaces between subsystems, often by creating artificial constraints or bypassing existing ones.

The term "commandos" emphasizes the tactical nature of these interventions - small, precise actions that can trigger larger systemic changes through cascading effects. This relates to butterfly effect concepts but focuses specifically on intentional manipulation rather than natural sensitivity to initial conditions.

Critics argue that the framework can promote unethical system manipulation, while proponents maintain it provides valuable insights for system intervention and governance in complex environments. The concept has found practical applications in:

• Environmental management
• Economic policy design
• Social system intervention
• organizational cybernetics

Understanding Cheat Commandos has become increasingly relevant in our interconnected world, where system manipulation can have far-reaching consequences. The framework continues to evolve alongside developments in complexity theory and network science.

Recent research has expanded the concept to include digital systems and social networks, where information flows and feedback mechanisms can be particularly vulnerable to strategic manipulation. This has led to new considerations in system resilience and antifragility.

The framework remains controversial but provides valuable insights into how complex systems can be understood and influenced through strategic intervention at key points.