Toolkit
Practical frameworks extracted from the Twelve Tools. Print them, bookmark them, use them when you encounter a suspicious meme.
Triage Workflow
When you encounter any meme (visual, audible, or textual):
- DETECT — What archetype is being deployed? (Tool 1)
- SCAN — Is this incoming or outgoing? (Tool 2)
- FEEL — What is the Mana in this meme? (Tool 3)
- MAP — Which realm is being targeted? (Tool 4)
- TRACE — Where am I in the Trigger-Experience-Reaction chain? (Tool 5)
- TEST — Does it pass the Code of Positive Trolls? (Tool 6)
- VERDICT — Positive (Infolklore), Negative (Disinfolklore), or Neutral
Code of Positive Trolls Checklist
Apply these six criteria to any meme. All six must pass for the meme to qualify as Infolklore:
- Generosity — Is the meaning generous? Does it give or take? (Tool 7)
- Right/Ethical Discipline — Is it true? Does it promote untruths? (Tool 8)
- Energy — What archetypes does the Mana carry? (Tool 9)
- Patience — Is it manufacturing urgency or promoting patience? (Tool 10)
- Mindfulness — Should I allow this into my mind? (Tool 11)
- Wisdom — Does the cumulative picture feel right? (Tool 12)
Incoming Troll Radar Checklist
When consuming media, ask:
- What archetype is this meme deploying?
- What emotion is it trying to move in me?
- Is the Mana generous or coercive?
- Is it targeting my Inner Realm (emotions, archetypes) or presenting Outer Realm facts?
- Am I being triggered? What reaction does it want from me?
- Does it pass the Code of Positive Trolls?
Outgoing Troll Radar Checklist
Before sharing, posting, or forwarding, ask:
- What archetype am I deploying?
- What emotion am I trying to move in others?
- Is the Mana of what I’m sharing generous?
- Am I passing on Disinfolklore without realising it?
- Does this pass the Code of Positive Trolls?
- Am I contributing to Infolklore or Disinfolklore?
Red Flags
These are hallmarks of Disinfolklore. If you spot them, slow down:
- Manufactured urgency — “Act NOW” / “We must surrender immediately” → Tool 10
- Victim-blaming — “They provoked it” / “Don’t Poke the Bear” → Provocation Logic
- False equivalence — “Both sides are the same” → Coercive Control
- Spectacle over substance — Dramatic imagery that bypasses rational thought → Spectacle
- Folkloristic characters — “Strong man,” “Nazi,” “Bear” — archetypes masquerading as descriptions → Tool 1
Scoring Rubric
For a more systematic analysis, score each meme on a scale of 1—5 for each of the six Code criteria:
| Criterion | 1 (Disinfolklore) | 3 (Neutral) | 5 (Infolklore) |
|---|
Quick-Start Tools
The A-B-C Method
A. Discern the Mana in the meme or the troll — it will be there. It might be manifesting positive, neutral, or negative energy. Use the Code of Positive Trolls six criteria to assess.
B. Assess the quality of the subtle energy the Mana represents, encapsulates, and promotes.
C. Make a call: Positive (Infolklore), Negative (Disinfolklore), or Indeterminable. Don’t just stand there assaying.
The Generosity Quick-Test
“Is it Generous?” is a Good Enough test to sort quickly in real time which memes will negatively provoke our Mana. Authoritarian-minded trolls are almost always mean.
If the meme is ungenerous, you can usually reject it immediately without further analysis.
The Six-Adverb Hack
Analyse generously, with ethical discipline, patiently, with joyous perseverance, focus, and insight.
All six Code criteria in 15 words. This is the recipe for producing Infolklore.
The 12 Diagnostic Questions (One Per Tool)
| Tool | Question |
|---|---|
| 1 | What archetype is being deployed? |
| 2 | Is this incoming or outgoing? |
| 3 | What is the Mana in this meme? |
| 4 | Which realm is being targeted? |
| 5 | Where am I in the T-E-R chain? |
| 6 | Does this pass the Code? |
| 7 | Is the meme generous? |
| 8 | Is the meme’s Mana right/ethical? |
| 9 | What archetypes does the Mana carry? |
| 10 | Is the meme promoting patience or urgency? |
| 11 | Should I allow this into my mind? |
| 12 | Final synthesis — getting your eye in? |
Red Flags
If any of these are present, your Incoming Troll Radar should fire:
- Urgency — “Act NOW or it’s too late”
- Ungenerosity — mean-spirited, excluding, punishing
- Inner/Outer Realm division — “us vs them,” border talk, scapegoating
- Accusation in a Mirror — accusing others of what the accuser is doing
- Data-resistant archetype — belief persists despite contradicting evidence
- Misogyny — the Mana of Disinfolklore is almost always misogynistic
------| | Generosity | Takes, diminishes | Neither | Gives, builds | | Right | Promotes untruths | Ambiguous | Promotes truth | | Energy | Coercive archetypes | Flat | Generous archetypes | | Patience | Manufactures urgency | Neutral pace | Promotes patience | | Mindfulness | Bypasses conscious thought | Passive | Invites reflection | | Wisdom | Feels wrong | Unclear | Feels right |
Score 24—30: Strong Infolklore. Share it. Score 12—23: Mixed or neutral. Investigate further. Score 6—11: Likely Disinfolklore. Reject or rearchetype.
Where Next?
- Beginners Pathway — the five-step introduction
- Refresher — quick-reference format
- The Twelve Tools — full framework
- Archetypes — see the tools applied