Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah • Hacker News Board

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#741

Post by thephyber » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:16 AM UTC

vik0 wrote: post #8

Am I wrong in thinking this guy isn't/wasn't a very influential person, outside of Twitter and the people that stay on there 24/7? If so, why even target the poor guy? What change was the person who shot him hoping to elicit? Either way, I hope he makes it, even though it looks like it was a fatal blow

He was the public face of Turning Point USA, a political organization that focused on getting more youth in the USA to turn conservative / Republican, to vote, and to adopt a more conservative culture. By “public face”, I mean he was 17 when he cofounded it with an octogenarian and a billionaire funder.

I think he and the org were active on Twitter, but they were MUCH more active on YouTube, and short form video (Instagram, TikTok).

It’s not even clear we know who the shooter is (still conflicting reports about whether the suspect has been arrested, let alone a confirmed identity). Too soon to know what the motive is.

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#742

Post by gamblor956 » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:18 AM UTC

didgetmaster wrote: post #668

There are a number of outspoken people on the other end of the political spectrum from me, that I vehemently disagree with. While I would love to see their words either ignored or condemned by the masses; I have no desire to see them killed or harmed in any way. I wish more people on both ends of the political spectrum felt that way. Either committing or supporting violence against those we disagree with, has no plac…

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Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#743

Post by tacitusarc » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:19 AM UTC

thephyber wrote: post #709

loughnane wrote: post #689

The sad irony is that he's at a college campus debating/arguing with people. At their best that's what college campuses are for. I know they haven't been living up to it lately but seeing him gunned down feels like a metaphor. I know he liked to publicize the exchanges where he got the best of someone, and bury the others, and that he was a far, far cry from a public intellectual. Still, he talked to folks about idea…

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I have not seen much of him, but I did watch a video from Jubilee where he was debating a bunch of people.

In that instance, I have to say I saw no indication of bath faith; to the contrary, he seemed to listen very carefully, and would use the most charitable interpretation of what people were saying. I’d heard a lot of negative things about him, so I was actually impressed. I might not have agreed with him, but he was genuine and respectful.

I think his death is truly a tragedy. I worry about how this will further radicalize the right, and the chilling effect it will have on already chilled discourse.

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#744

Post by whateveracct » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:24 AM UTC

the entire situation is dripping in macabre irony

the question about gun rights, the "prove me wrong" tent, the "constitutional carry" state the event is held in

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#745

Post by linhns » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:24 AM UTC

While I'm not a fan of Charlie's beliefs, actions and his brand of conservatism, he was willing to go across the political divide and foster debates with those that do not share his values.

Condolences to his young family and everyone close to him.

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#746

Post by jalapenos » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:29 AM UTC

thephyber wrote: post #709

loughnane wrote: post #689

The sad irony is that he's at a college campus debating/arguing with people. At their best that's what college campuses are for. I know they haven't been living up to it lately but seeing him gunned down feels like a metaphor. I know he liked to publicize the exchanges where he got the best of someone, and bury the others, and that he was a far, far cry from a public intellectual. Still, he talked to folks about idea…

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Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#747

Post by dnissley » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:33 AM UTC

cosmicgadget wrote: post #732

loughnane wrote: post #689

The sad irony is that he's at a college campus debating/arguing with people. At their best that's what college campuses are for. I know they haven't been living up to it lately but seeing him gunned down feels like a metaphor. I know he liked to publicize the exchanges where he got the best of someone, and bury the others, and that he was a far, far cry from a public intellectual. Still, he talked to folks about idea…

I read an account of the "debate" immediately preceding his murder, it was quips and dodges. If that's at all representative of his conduct, he actively hurt the national dialogue by convincing people that that's what a debate looks like.

how would you steelman his position?

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#748

Post by 8note » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:34 AM UTC

AfterHIA wrote: post #248

[dead]

you shouldnt drop out. you should instead get the degree, and work to remake the world they way you want it to be.

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#749

Post by jalapenos » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:35 AM UTC

loughnane wrote: post #689

The sad irony is that he's at a college campus debating/arguing with people. At their best that's what college campuses are for. I know they haven't been living up to it lately but seeing him gunned down feels like a metaphor. I know he liked to publicize the exchanges where he got the best of someone, and bury the others, and that he was a far, far cry from a public intellectual. Still, he talked to folks about idea…

I think that's the point.

The kind of individual who shoots someone for saying things he doesn't like is a narcissist.

Ideas anger narcissists because if they are counter to what they already believe, they are a personal affront, and if they cannot reason the challenge away because - quite simply, they're wrong and the other person is right - it creates a great anger in them.

And narcissism is prevailing in our culture currently. People far prefer to call the other side bad, stupid, etc, rather than introspect and consider that maybe you're not that smart, and maybe you don't know everything, and maybe what you believe is actually naive and just a manifestation of your sillyness.

The problem of course is that the only way opposing narcissists can overcome each other is by force. So there'll be less argument, and more go-straight-to violence.

Re: Charlie Kirk killed at event in Utah

#750

Post by csours » Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 4:37 AM UTC

anon291 wrote: post #452

csours wrote: post #137

History books can tell you facts that happened, but they can never truly tell you how it feels. I feel we're riding a knife's edge and there's a hurricane brewing in the gulf of absurdity. ==== Incidentally, I feel like this is why it is so hard to actually learn from history. You can read about the 1918 'Spanish' Flu, but you think "we're smarter now". etc.

As I've grown older and gone back through history I've realized why so many decisions and actions seem kind of irrational to outside observers. This is why I think study of ancient history is so important, because we have so few connections, that the analysis does not seem personal. Nevertheless, I realize that it's usually a zeitgeist more than any particular thing that really flows through history.

I agree. It's hard to capture 'the vibes' in a history book. For example, I firmly believe that in 70 years, almost no one will be able to explain 'wokeness' or the anti-wokeness backlash.