What College Students Really Think of Charlie Kirk

[RandySF]

A new Generation Lab poll found that Charlie Kirk was almost universally known among college kids: 94% of students had heard of him, a remarkable level of name I.D. for any political figure.

However, most college students were not fans. A combined 70% of students said they either “strongly disagree” or “somewhat disagree” with Kirk’s views. Only 30% said they agreed.



https://politicalwire.com/2025/09/16/what-college-students-really-think-of-charlie-kirk/

[NJCher]

1. There it is again

That toxic 30%.

[pat_k]

3. One thing I wonder is if ...

... his influence was a "disinhibition" effect -- i.e., he made poisonous notions "OK" among young people who already harbored them -- or did he actually "turn" some percentage of young people to the "dark side."

I don't know if there is any way to get at that question, but it's been floating around in the back of my head.

Perhaps he accomplished a bit of both.

If primarily a "disinhibition effect," it seems to me that says a residual level of racism/sexism/homophobia infected a lot more of the population across generations than I would have believed a couple decades ago. Once upon a time I honestly believed white supremacism was "dying out" and was less prevalent among young adults in the 90's and early 2000's.

[AZJonnie]

6. I don't think it's "infected" people all that much. I think its in our genome

Last edited Wed Sep 17, 2025, 02:48 AM - Edit history (1)

that's why its seen in all cultures, all races, through all time.

People are born this way because the mentality provides a survival advantage. It's existed since creatures were advance enough for it be said they have "mentalities". It's the instinct to "selfishly compete", basically. The people on the Left represent an "open-hearted cooperative" mentality, but that is a much more recent in evolutionary history. It's also part of the human genome, but its because it's for the good of the species, not the individual.

The reason, IMHO why the USA has done so well for so long is that the Founders knew this about humanity. They didn't know "why" in terms of evolution, but they realized we were made this way, that these two sides of humanity exist, and probably thought it was "planned", which it was in a sense. So these two sides of humanity have mostly balanced each other out, kept each side from exhibiting their worst tendencies, moderating the other, if you will, the USA for 250 years.

Unfortunately it's looking like 250 years is about the limit. The full-scale takeover has begun. Once climate change gets bad and fossil fuels start running out at the same time (probably not that far off), even most of us are probably going to turn to "every person for themselves". Not as bad as they will, but we will from necessity. And their side will have an advantage, we shouldn't kid ourselves.

Someday, when it's too late, they'll figure out that the liberal % is why we aren't all basically slaves to a small cabal of global rulers and/or haven't nuked humanity back into the stone-age because that's where their whole mentality leads to. They think "life" would be better without liberals? They're going to be in for a VERY rude awakening. And that's best-case scenario.

[FHRRK]

2. And it ain't a youth problem

Do we have a male youth problem, without a doubt.

[pat_k]

4. Yes. The numbers shocked me. And are still tough to fathom.

This chart is from an interview Ezra Klein did with David Shor back in March. Additional charts and important insights in the article.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-david-shor.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mk8.ZUYC.t1d6jIby-BQX&smid=url-share

[Cha]

5. This is great news & Needs More Recs!

TY.. so good to know. :candle

[betsuni]

7. There's a belief that listening to an interview, rally, speech, etc., can hypnotize people like a cult.

It's silly. The magician can only pull a rabbit out of the hat if there's already a rabbit in there.