What A Day Political Violence In America
7 snips
Sep 12, 2025 Graeme Wood, a staff writer at The Atlantic known for his insights into societal issues, dives deep into the alarming rise of political violence in America. He discusses a recent assassination attempt and reflects on how social media may be normalizing violence in public discourse. Wood draws historical parallels with other nations, emphasizing the psychological impacts and the urgent need for credible leadership. The conversation also touches on the contentious confirmation processes shaping political dynamics and the broader implications for societal stability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Visible Violence Changes What Feels Possible
- Charlie Kirk's murder highlights a sudden shift toward visible political violence in the U.S. brought directly into social media feeds.
- Graeme Wood warns this visibility makes violence more thinkable and potentially more replicable.
Availability Heuristic Of Social Media
- Social media normalizes violent acts via the availability heuristic, making them easier to imagine and imitate.
- Wood argues intimate exposure on phones increases psychological availability and may encourage copycat behavior.
ISIS Coverage Informs Social Media Risks
- Graeme Wood compares social media's performative violence imagery to his experience covering ISIS.
- He notes those groups used shocking media to sever viewers from prior beliefs and recruit them.