The Two Matts Inside the mind of a 16-year-old - with Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote
Nov 18, 2025
Join Peter Hyman, a former political adviser and educator, and Shuab Gamote, a public policy expert, as they dive into the minds of 16- and 17-year-olds. They reveal surprising insights from speaking to over 700 young people about their political views, emphasizing their desire for authenticity in leadership. Discover how social media shapes their perceptions, the importance of fairness in democracy, and why many feel disillusioned after leaving education. This thought-provoking discussion sheds light on the new generation's values and challenges.
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Nuanced Teen Political Outlook
- Young people’s political views are nuanced and not simply drifting authoritarian; many remain committed to democracy but feel it isn’t delivering.
- Peter Hyman links this to status anxieties and broader populist drivers rather than wholesale rightward shifts.
Strength Means Clear Vision
- Teens value strength in leaders as clarity of vision and conviction, not brute authoritarianism.
- Many dislike Trump’s style but respect that he 'knows what he stands for.'
Aggregate 'Alpha' Accounts Pull Clips Together
- Shuab describes how aggregate 'alpha' TikTok accounts splice clips from thinkers like Jordan Peterson into motivating reels.
- These aggregates amplify themes without centering a single influencer like Andrew Tate.