Thursday 15 October 2026, 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm
In this compelling speaker event, Meadhbh Park, author of Blackpilled: Masculinity, Media and Incels, takes an unflinching look at how the landscape of violent extremism has evolved. Moving beyond traditional definitions, Park explores the alarming convergence of nihilism, misanthropy, mass-shooter fascination, and neo-Nazism pulsing through digital subcultures.
Crucially, the event tackles why these spaces hold such a potent pull for today’s hyper-tech-savvy teenagers. Driven by a mix of clout-chasing, gore, and online radicalisation, young people are increasingly vulnerable. These digital ecosystems aren’t just breeding grounds for hateful ideologies; they are cultivating real-world operational threats, ranging from high-profile corporate cyberattacks to violent extortion groups.
Rather than relying purely on condemnation, Park emphasizes the urgent need for empathy and deep understanding. By examining the real vulnerabilities drawing teens into these dark online networks, this talk offers parents, educators, and professionals vital tools to decode modern extremism, recognize the warning signs, and better protect the next generation.
This talk is supported by the Public Lectures Fund.