What A Day What The FBI Doesn’t Understand About Online Extremism
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Sep 17, 2025 David Gilbert, who covers disinformation and online extremism for Wired magazine, dives into the alarming rise of nihilistic violent extremists, or NVEs. He discusses how these individuals often use memes and online platforms to evade law enforcement and promote their ideologies. The complexities of tracking radicalization in a digital age emerge, alongside the intensifying rivalries within far-right groups like those involving Charlie Kirk. Gilbert emphasizes the importance of responsible media coverage in addressing these threats and protecting society from escalating violence.
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Memes Used To Manipulate Media
- Shooters engraved obscure memes on bullets to force media attention and confusion.
- David Gilbert says they deliberately exploit media ignorance to amplify their message.
Private Online Communities Fuel Violence
- Many young attackers spend long hours in closed online communities that reward violence.
- Gilbert warns law enforcement is lagging and classifications only recently flagged these cases.
Monitor Young People's Online Life
- Families should monitor and discuss young people's online time and communities.
- Gilbert recommends being attentive because radicalization often happens away from public view.
