I.S.M

The I.S.M. was created on three fronts:-

The Sock Society, The International School of Management and The I.S.M. 

The core belief being that civilization will collapse and gangs will take over. We created an undetectable system of secret networks, offline systems that are able to disperse information and a way to communicate to our community of people. 

All ‘gangists’ benefit from localised
knowledge and skill sharing workshops, the bigger picture is to spread worldwide with the intention to fortify the I.S.M to be the ultimate gang. This is a non-violent gang that thrives on secrecy and expands through the
temptation of wearing yellow socks, one that has a constant sense of stabilization and
empowerment.

The ISM must remain confidential

All members are resources

We must create and share under the ISM indemnity

We are non-hierarchical

Members must attend and contribute to summoning’s

We will remain offline

We must wear an ISM identifier we will offer you protection

Together we are stronger
Breach of this will lead to disconnection from the ISM.

Channelling the unity that is conducted within a gang was paramount to the success of the I.S.M. Taking factors from current gangs alike to the Black Panthers, several survivalist movements and a more extreme gang culture of Scientology, we took inspiration. With ‘gangs’ being the wrapper, our core qualities developed:

•                Collectivism 

•                Progressivism

•                Survivalism

•                Individualism

•                Anarchism

The recruitment process first time round was deemed invasive and was directed towards scaring people into joining, showing new recruit’s pre-recorded footage of them in their daily life.

 This shock tactic wasn’t how I imagined the I.S.M to take off, my ideal approach would’ve formed through the Yellow Sock. Reversing this shock theory, I created a comic film, a step by step guide of how an I.S.M member should applicate the Yellow Sock correctly. Applying this new filter on the project led to a friendlier approach resulting in a new recruitment method of the ‘Sock Sale’. In each pair was a hidden invitation to the first I.S.M gathering, expanding our network. The method didn’t go exactly as planned as the public weren’t opening their Yellow Sock’s until after the meeting time. Participation from people can be hard to achieve if it requires too much effort on their part; this was the downfall with this particular method. We learned from this and used this experience to plan further in advance.

Using internal and external methods to recruit to the movement, we began to grow. Targeting certain people to increase the exclusivity, cementing a network of memory sticks in hidden but disclosed locations and using word and mouth were the main techniques. We organised Yellow Sock workshops with these methods.

Everything that happened within the I.S.M was recorded. Voice recorders were bolted to the top of the Sock Sale stand with a go pro strapped to the side. Similar to Scientology, it made the gangists feel safe. Each member of the I.S.M had a photo taken in front of the banner and sewn into a tapestry of members.

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Continuing on from this was the five point rotation system from which each month the ‘admin’ for the I.S.M would rotate, reinforcing the fact we’re a non-hierarchal organisation. The ‘admin’ wore a Yellow Sock Badge to define their role. The system took quite some time and debate to design and implement. The system was complicated and came with a corporate style video explanation, resulting in the International School of Management. The structure that was adopted was task orientated which created the firm foundation.