Red Scare Canon — Cultural References from the Subreddit

Salon (place) 2 — Online publication that published a 2002 article about Israeli art students casing US government buildings before 9/11

Eras Tour (concept) 2 — Referenced as an example of a super-concert that remains popular with younger generations, contrasted with declining att...

Joe Burrow (person) 2 — NFL quarterback being diagnosed online with autism by people who saw a clip of him discussing his interest in fossils.

NPC (concept) 2 — Internet term for people perceived as lacking individuality or interesting qualities, used to express alienation from co...

Skynet (concept) 2 — Fictional AI system from Terminator franchise referenced as potential cause of human extinction through robot uprising

Self-harm (concept) 2 — Discussed as parallel behavior to incel posting, including cutting and eating disorders

Halo effect (concept) 2 — A cognitive bias where one positive characteristic (such as physical attractiveness) influences overall perception of a ...

Igor (person) 2 — A character in the film Anora whose actions at the film's conclusion sparked debate about his intentions

Volkswagen (concept) 2 — German car manufacturer cited as symbol of how Germany's reputation shifted from artistic and intellectual tradition to ...

Azov Brigade (concept) 2 — Ukrainian military unit with reported neo-Nazi elements that had a US weapons ban lifted in 2024, sparking controversy a...

Danny DeVito (person) 2 — Actor frequently suggested by Redditors as a replacement for actors who die or have scandals, with the joke that other c...

Hernán Cortés (person) 2 — Spanish conquistador who documented Aztec sacrificial rituals involving burning hearts and organs for smoke offerings.

Peter the Great (person) 2 — Russian czar whose reforms are assumed to be a topic of interest for men perceived as unattractive or mid.

Synesthesia (concept) 2 — Anomalous blending of the senses that Messiaen had, allowing him to see colors when hearing sounds

ADD (concept) 2 — Attention deficit disorder, discussed as potentially linked to environmental lead exposure from leaded gasoline.

I Love LA (film) 2 — Television series featuring shallow influencer characters and worthless pursuits, contrasted negatively with the creativ...

Neurodivergence (concept) 2 — Concept of neurological difference that is allegedly celebrated only as an identity label while antisocial behaviors ass...

Scott Walker (person) 2 — Musician known for his experimental later work after collapsing into insanity, mentioned as an ideal trajectory for othe...

Marie Kondo (person) 2 — Japanese organizing consultant whose 'spark joy' philosophy is satirically criticized as focusing on fleeting happiness ...

The Daily (concept) 2 — The New York Times podcast criticized for hosting a guest who claims ideal room temperature is a cultural construct crea...

Mills College (place) 2 — A small private women's college in Oakland where Dasha Nekrasova studied sociology and 19th century German philosophy

Musical.ly (concept) 2 — The predecessor app to TikTok, mentioned as a marker of TikTok's early uncool status before it became culturally dominan...

Da Vinci (person) 2 — Renaissance artist referenced sarcastically to critique the notion that graffiti tagging is artistic practice

Judge Judy (film) 2 — A daytime television court show referenced as part of an aspirational 'white boomer lady summer' lifestyle

Michael Phelps (person) 2 — An Olympic swimmer cited in debates about trans women in sports as an example of genetic advantage in competition

Newt Gingrich (person) 2 — Former GOP politician whose playbook of opposition tactics was referenced as being ramped up during Obama's presidency.

Michael Cera (person) 2 — Actor mentioned as part of the 'whimpy whiney loser' typecast group, compared unfavorably to Paul Dano's acting abilitie...

Heath Ledger (person) 2 — Actor who starred in Brokeback Mountain and whose early death and lost potential was described as heartbreaking when ref...

MGK (person) 2 — Musician and rapper criticized for his peroxide aesthetic similar to Jared Leto's Joker.

John Legend (person) 2 — Singer criticized as representing pathetic 2010s celebrity authenticity and relatability.

Tai Lopez (person) 2 — Internet personality known for 'Here in my garage' videos, watched to develop scammer mindset

Karen (concept) 2 — Pejorative term for entitled white women that became widespread cultural shorthand, which white women briefly tried to e...

SpongeBob SquarePants (film) 2 — Animated TV series whose early seasons (first 3) are discussed as culturally important and formative for millennials.

Nicola Sturgeon (person) 2 — Scottish First Minister referenced colloquially as 'Nicola' in context of COVID restrictions being lifted for the Glasgo...

St. Louis (place) 2 — Missouri city mentioned as an example of an actually rough place in America versus the comfortable cities privileged peo...

King Lear (book) 2 — Shakespeare play used as an example of challenging literature that would be ridiculed if quoted by politicians in contem...

Hinduism (concept) 2 — Major world religion referenced in a post about Indian men's communication habits, with the poster claiming they 'aesthe...

Childhood's End (book) 2 — Science fiction novel from the 1950s referenced as a classic example of hive-mind narratives that present the concept in...

Pluribus (film) 2 — Television show featuring a hive mind concept that has sparked extensive Reddit discussion about themes of collectivism ...

Biggie (person) 2 — Rapper referenced alongside 2Pac and Busta Rhymes as representing duality of glorifying and protesting ghetto conditions...

IRS (place) 2 — U.S. tax collection agency discussed in context of a Mexican worker who has allegedly avoided paying $200,000 in taxes t...

New Atheism (concept) 2 — Movement described as part of a pipeline leading to Progressive Christianity, characterized by aggressive promotion of a...

Crash (album) 2 — Dave Matthews Band album considered fantastic despite college-era hype around the band

Yeezy (person) 2 — Kanye West's sneaker brand that seemed to spearhead the ugly sneaker trend with intentionally splayed-out soles that oth...

2FA (concept) 2 — Two-factor authentication apps that make smartphones necessary for work and prevent transition to dumb phones

Goodfellas (film) 2 — Martin Scorsese's 1990 crime film about the mafia, mentioned in connection with Michael Franzese who was referenced in t...

Val Kilmer (person) 2 — Actor from the original Heat whose younger version will be played by Austin Butler in Heat 2

Trump Tower (place) 2 — New York building where the 1994 PCA World Chess Championship Quarter Finals were held, opened by Donald Trump.

Jeremy O. Harris (person) 2 — Playwright and social media personality who was imprisoned in Japan for bringing drugs into the country and is described...

Alex Morse (person) 2 — United States Congressional Candidate involved in a scandal regarding allegations of soliciting gay sex from teen boys