On the Media Free Speech for Me, but Not for Thee. Plus, Librarians Under Siege.
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Sep 20, 2025 
Lily Mason, a political science professor and co-author of Radical American Partisanship, discusses how political leaders can escalate or de-escalate threats of violence in today's polarized climate. Tech journalist Ryan Broderick dives into the digital radicalization linked to Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, analyzing the impact of memes and algorithmic amplification. Amanda Jones, a school librarian targeted by book-banning activists, shares her harrowing experiences and emphasizes the importance of fighting censorship to protect libraries.
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Partisan Pattern Of Modern Political Violence
- Political violence today maps onto partisan divides more than in the 1960s.
- Assassinations are rarer overall but now cluster along party lines.
Public Attitudes Are Conditionally Violent
- Surveys show most Americans reject political violence but many condone it if the other side starts.
- Dehumanization and moral disengagement are surprisingly common across parties.
Leaders Control The 'Boiling Pot' Heat
- Leaders can dial down or amplify supporters' approval of violence via rhetoric.
- Simple disavowals of violence by elites measurably reduce approval among followers.
