Diet Soap - a podcast Episode 661: Why We Can't Think About Charlie Kirk
Sep 15, 2025
Benjamin Studebaker, author of influential works on democracy, joins to delve into the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its broader implications. They examine the polarized narratives emerging from the incident and the unsettling parallels with historical political violence. Operation Gladio's controversial legacy is unpacked, revealing ties to domestic terrorism and the significance of critical investigation into past events. They also discuss how algorithm-driven social interactions shape public discourse and the impact of young individuals on corporate and educational norms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Assassination Spurs Securitization
- The assassination of Charlie Kirk is likely to accelerate securitization in public spaces like campuses and events.
- Benjamin Studebaker warns prolonged media fixation increases chances of more security measures and reprisals.
Terrorism Category May Expand
- Authorities may expand the terrorism category to include NGOs and informal groups after high-profile political violence.
- Douglas Lane fears investigations could morph into a modern COINTELPRO-style campaign against left organizations.
Algorithms Cement Attention
- Media and algorithms keep the story dominant long after the event, shaping public attention and policy pressure.
- Benjamin Studebaker argues this prolonged prominence itself fuels fear-driven policy responses.
