The Regrettable Century Years of Dread: Political Violence & The Spectacle of Tension
Sep 17, 2025
The podcast dives deep into the escalating political violence in the U.S., exploring its chilling societal implications. It examines how surveillance impacts free expression, drawing parallels to past political repression. The hosts discuss the complexities of empathy amid violence and critique the superficial labels often used in political discourse. They navigate the interplay of irony and earnestness in online culture, while reflecting on historical trends of political violence and its normalization today. Overall, it's a thought-provoking look at our current political landscape.
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Spectacle Shapes Political Reaction
- Public reaction to Charlie Kirk's shooting exposed how online spectacle shapes political discourse.
- Hosts warn that jokes and offhand comments now risk surveillance and watchlists in a surveillance era.
Personal Reaction To Graphic Footage
- Ben described feeling sick to his gut and needing to go to the gym after watching the shooting footage.
- He used the experience to illustrate how trauma from spectacle affects everyday tasks like assembling furniture.
Consider How You Sound Online
- Ask how you sound to a normal person before posting extreme reactions online.
- Prioritize who you want on your team and shape discourse to grow real political alliances.
