Tales of the future: An exploration of intelligence dissemination, prediction and storytellling
Abstract
What characterises dissemination of intelligence? This thesis answers the question by studying intelligence dissemination as storytelling and prediction. It argues that the dissemination stage of the intelligence cycle translates processed intelligence into a product servicing the decision maker. Faced with the risk of error and misunderstanding, the dissemination stage can secure the reliability of the conclusions, as it was formed at the processing stage. Dissemination is contextual, emphasising a dynamic of actors and their environment, which is familiar and understandable to the consumer. It delivers the service at an appropriate time. This way, intelligence dissemination makes the output of the processing stage accessible and thus applicable to the consumer. This is how the stage fulfils the purpose of intelligence by providing the consumer with improved situational awareness and an ability to create policy of a quality otherwise impossible. In combining these features to a narrative, intelligence can stand out with the decision-maker, and succeed in the narrative battle for his attention.