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Simple Sabotage Field Manual (1944) [pdf]

Resurfaced independently across 7 calendar years, with breakout response in 3 of them.

submissions
7
submitters
7
observed span
2012–2020
peak thread · 89 comments
187 pts
latest 20+ return · 2020-02-13
187 pts

Submission timeline

2007–2026

One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.

First comments on top threads

HN comment order

I assume that this is actually a cynical guide to how your laziness as an employee is harming the war effort and not an actual field manual, right? It has to be. The section where my mind was changed from "maybe this is actually a strategy" to "this is just a passive-aggressive list of grievances against anonymous subordinates" was all the machine shop sabotage suggestions. Nobody read the employee handbook when it said "sharpen your tools, store them properly, don't…

I love the part on organizations & conferences. Seems like I have worked with many agents in the past: (1) Insist on doing everything through "channels." Never permit short-cuts to be taken in order to expedite decisions (5) When possible, refer all matters to ' committees, for "further study and consideration." Attempt to make the committees as large as possible - never less than five. I guess Dilbert might be working with the CIA after all.

1337biz·182-point thread·

There's another great manual they dropped over Nicaragua to instruct people on how to take down the state. Comes with helpful illustrations and everything! http://www.picassodreams.com/picasso_dreams/2006/06/cia_sabo...

Loved the tips on how to sabotage organizations in ways I've had personal experience with. Examples: - Make "speeches." Talk as frequently as possible and at great length. Illustrate your "points" by long anecdotes and accounts of personal experiences. - Insist on perfect work in relatively unimportant products.

The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.

Breakout years
3

100+ points or 50+ comments

Total points
516

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Total comments
191

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Every submission

DateTitle as submittedByPointsComments
2012-11-26Simple Sabotage Field Manual (1944)First breakoutEiZei18267
2014-03-16Simple Sabotage Field Manualcjcenizal40
2015-05-28CIA Manual from 1944 on how to troll (Page 28) [pdf]inglor21
2016-02-18Timeless Tips for 'Simple Sabotage' [pdf]ndz20
2017-08-27Simple Sabotage Field Manual (1944) [pdf]soroso13332
2019-10-011944 CIA Simple Sabotage Manual [pdf]bryanmgreen62
2020-02-13Simple Sabotage Field Manual (1944) [pdf]Best thread · Latest 20+ point returnAnon8418789