Slate News What Next: TBD | A Very Online Shooter
Sep 19, 2025
Ryan Broderick, a reporter on online culture and author of the newsletter Garbage Day, dives into the chaotic virality of the Charlie Kirk killing. He explores how footage spread like wildfire, igniting conspiracy theories and confusion among investigators. Broderick delves into the troubling history of meme-linked violence and highlights the institutional blind spots that hinder law enforcement and media from effectively responding to internet-driven events. The conversation shines a light on the urgent need for better internet fluency in today’s interconnected world.
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Violence As Viral Performance
- Ryan Broderick argues Charlie Kirk's killing is a portrait of 21st-century America where influencers are surrounded by smartphones during violence.
- He says shooters now game media attention and meme culture, treating real violence like a joke or performance.
Unmoderated Platforms Amplify Trauma
- Broderick describes unprecedented chaos online after the video went viral, with rampant misinformation and algorithms amplifying the footage.
- He stresses that unmoderated platforms spread raw violent content extremely quickly to millions.
Local Eccentrics Become National Narratives
- Broderick recounts George Zinn, a local disruptor briefly arrested and later cleared, who fueled conspiracy theories when seen detained on camera.
- He says local oddities often surface under national media pressure and become focal points for online speculation.