The Symbolic World 415 - Charlie Kirk's Assassination: We have gone beyond the pale
19 snips
Oct 10, 2025 The podcast explores the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and its impact on societal unity. The host reflects on the surprising celebratory responses from some individuals and critiques media distortions surrounding Kirk's rhetoric. Historical context is provided on political violence, alongside a discussion on how both sides justify it. Insights on the danger of converting debate into enmity are shared, emphasizing the need for forgiveness and higher purpose. The conversation ultimately calls for maintaining respectful debate and guarding against radicalization.
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Cautious Public Political Engagement
- Jonathan Pageau rarely talks politics publicly and waits before commenting to avoid rage and virality.
- He frames current events when they illuminate deeper symbolic patterns about society and endings.
Learning About The Shooting In Real Time
- Pageau describes learning about Charlie Kirk's shooting during a team meeting and watching reactions unfold.
- He applied the idea of "network pruning" to observe who responded wisely or foolishly in that moment.
Misrepresentation Fuels Dehumanization
- Many people quickly misrepresented Charlie Kirk's words and celebrated or excused his killing, revealing cultural deformities.
- Pageau finds the misframing of quotes symptomatic of ongoing media distortions and social hatred.
