TRIGGERnometry The Radicalisation Of America - Gregg Hurwitz
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Jan 18, 2026 
Gregg Hurwitz, a New York Times bestselling author known for his thriller novels and work with major comic franchises, discusses the alarming rise of radicalization in America. He explores how foreign actors and social media algorithms exacerbate divisions. Hurwitz compares radicalization dynamics to cult onboarding and highlights the increasing isolation of young men, who feel the game is rigged against them. He calls for restoring dialogue between liberals and conservatives and emphasizes practical local solutions to rebuild civic engagement and prevent despair.
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Undercover Lessons On Persuasion
- Gregg recounts undercover experiences in a mind-control cult and with demolition ranges to explain persuasion.
- Those experiences shaped his view that he "knows psyops when I see them."
Three Engines Of Radicalisation
- Gregg Hurwitz traces radicalisation to foreign troll farms, profit-driven algorithms, and bad-faith domestic actors.
- These combined incentives push young people toward nihilism and destructive extremes.
Use Cognitive Dissonance To Reconnect
- Don't send accusatory articles to someone in a cult or echo chamber; create cognitive dissonance by reconnecting them with past goals.
- Ask about earlier dreams to open a path out of radicalisation.
