Press Materials & Information

Resources for journalists, researchers, and media professionals covering the vulnerability prediction framework and institutional manipulation research.

One-Page Summary

DISRUPT THE LOOP: Predicting Vulnerability to Institutional Manipulation

First theoretical framework to predict who is vulnerable to institutional grinding—and why. Integrates philosophy, psychology, and computer science to detect manipulation, quantify harm, and restore autonomy.

Key Innovation

Identity, personality, and values are fluid—not fixed traits. This fluidity creates vulnerability. The framework predicts current vulnerability state (VI), quantifies institutional harm (DDI), and validates antifragile outcomes (NAI).

Patent Protection

Provisional Patent Application No. 63/914,253 (Filed November 9, 2025): SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREDICTING VULNERABILITY TO INSTITUTIONAL GASLIGHTING, ALGORITHMIC MANIPULATION, AND EMOTIONAL-AI COERCION

About Joshua Garfunkel

Background: Economics (EDCBU), Paralegal Studies (NY Paralegal & Kaplan Online)

Research Genesis: Framework emerged from direct observation of 14-month disability insurance grinding campaign demonstrating systematic procedural weaponization.

Current Focus: Seeking academic, clinical, legal, and technical partnerships for empirical validation.

Story Angles

Consumer Protection

“Average disability claim: 14 months, 47 documents, 3+ denials. Is this bureaucracy or psychological warfare? New framework quantifies institutional grinding.”

Technology Ethics

“AI vulnerability prediction: Tool for empowerment or surveillance? Developer explicitly rejects surveillance paradigms while building detection systems.”

Academic Innovation

“Interdisciplinary framework synthesizes Bandura, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Frankl, Taleb—operationalizing philosophy computationally for first time.”

Legal Reform

“Subjective harm becomes objective proof: Framework transforms ‘I feel manipulated’ into DDI 85, VI 72 mathematical documentation.”

Key Statistics

• VI < 30: Fortified (resistant to grinding)
• VI 30-60: Contested (vulnerable under sustained attack)
• VI ≥ 60: Captured (currently exploited)
• DDI ≥ 70: Systematic dignity violation threshold
• NAI +20: Antifragile success criterion (sustained 3 months)

Interview Availability

Joshua Garfunkel available for:

• Background briefings on framework and methodology
• On-camera/audio interviews (in-person or remote)
• Written Q&A for print/online media
• Panel discussions on institutional manipulation, AI ethics, consumer protection
• Fact-checking and expert commentary

Embargo Policy

Research findings and empirical data (when available) provided under embargo upon request. Contact media@disrupttheloop.com to arrange.

Fact-Checking Resources

• Patent application summary available upon request
• Theoretical foundations documented with academic citations
• Technical specifications available under NDA for serious investigative pieces
• Research collaboration commitments (IRB, informed consent, data protection) documented in Research Ethics Statement

Download Resources

Logo/Branding: Available upon request (high-res PNG, vector formats)

Headshot: Joshua Garfunkel professional photo (available upon request)

B-Roll Suggestions: Institutional documents, procedural mazes, assessment interfaces (conceptual only—no actual tools yet)