Slate Daily Feed What Next: TBD | You Can't Escape the Charlie Kirk Video
Sep 12, 2025
Craig Silverman, a journalist and cofounder of Indicator, dives deep into the alarming rise of graphic violence on social media. He explores how videos like the Charlie Kirk shooting instantly find massive audiences, often without users actively seeking them out. Silverman discusses the normalization of such content and its implications for society, as well as the challenges of moderating misinformation in a cluttered digital space. He also touches on the psychological effects of graphic imagery and the complexities of social media ethics today.
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Unexpected Exposure To A Violent Clip
- Craig Silverman describes accidentally seeing Charlie Kirk's shooting video after it appeared under a quote-tweet by Britt Hume.
- He says the image of blood from the neck stayed with him and he couldn't stop scrolling even though he tried to avoid it.
Graphic Violence Is Inescapable Online
- Expect graphic violence to appear in social feeds even if you avoid it.
- Silverman warns this ubiquity is unprecedented and the long-term effects are unknown.
Shock Fuels Reach In Platform Algorithms
- Extremity and shock drive attention in social algorithms, benefiting figures like Charlie Kirk.
- Outrage and strong emotions help content climb feeds regardless of agreement.