Red Scare Canon — Cultural References from the Subreddit

Mona Lisa (book) 4 — A painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat (referencing the famous da Vinci work) that served as inspiration for Polish students...

One Direction (album) 4 — Boy band referenced as a previous example of mass fan obsession, contrasted with the overnight Luigi Mangione phenomenon...

Ticketmaster (concept) 4 — Ticket sales and distribution monopoly discussed as universally despised and potentially being investigated for anti-tru...

Capitol Riot (concept) 4 — The January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, discussed in relation to MAGA radicalization and p...

iPad (concept) 4 — Apple tablet device discussed in context of its negative developmental effects on autistic children, causing regression ...

SpongeBob (film) 4 — An animated television show referenced in a discussion about declining attention spans among children who can no longer ...

Male Loneliness Epidemic (concept) 4 — Contemporary social phenomenon where men complain about being alienated, which the author argues could be solved if they...

MAID (concept) 4 — Medical Assistance in Dying program in Canada that is discussed in relation to its expanding criteria to include people ...

Harry Dean Stanton (person) 4 — Unconventionally attractive actor cited as example of authentic-looking performers no longer cast in modern cinema

Terry Gilliam (person) 4 — Director who cast actors based on unconventional features in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Demisexuality (concept) 4 — Contemporary sexual identity describing those who only experience sexual attraction after forming emotional connection, ...

Kathy Hochul (person) 4 — Political figure who received louder boos than European competitors at the Ryder Cup, reflecting how politics has become...

Mazzy Star (album) 4 — Musical artist mentioned as being played on loop during a difficult time after the author's cousin was stabbed.

Anorexia (concept) 4 — Eating disorder discussed as one of the most fatal mental disorders with serious physical consequences, compared to body...

Monster Energy (concept) 4 — Energy drink brand mentioned as using less attractive male promotional staff, interpreted as a sign of economic prosperi...

EPA (place) 4 — The Environmental Protection Agency, referenced in context of Trump's alleged plans to cut programs protecting children ...

Antiques Roadshow (film) 4 — A TV show with full episodes available on YouTube, nostalgically remembered by viewers who grew up watching it.

The Mandalorian (film) 4 — Star Wars television series referenced through its catchphrase 'this is the way' which appeared in the subreddit, signal...

LEGO (concept) 4 — Danish toy company and brand discussed in terms of its shift toward adult collectors, branded sets, and liberal marketin...

Hawk Tuah girl (person) 4 — Internet meme figure compared to Luigi Mangione in terms of societal impact, suggesting superficial viral content oversh...

Maroon 5 (album) 4 — Band whose song 'She Will Be Loved' is referenced in a joke about Adam Levine's infidelity

Paw Patrol (film) 4 — Children's animated franchise mentioned in comparison to films dealing with social issues and panic attacks

Michelle Yeoh (person) 4 — Actress from wealthy family whose Oscar win was discussed in terms of class privilege rather than representation

Percy Jackson (book) 4 — A young adult book series whose Disney+ TV adaptation is the main topic of discussion in a university book group chat, d...

Trainspotting (film) 4 — Film referenced as a metaphor for hitting rock bottom and needing to quit destructive behaviors in a confessional post a...

Quran (book) 4 — Islamic religious text that the poster claims motivated them to lift harder in the gym

Mormonism (concept) 4 — Religious movement discussed as heretical for its belief in achieving god-like status in heaven through church participa...

Unabomber (person) 4 — Ted Kaczynski, whose manifesto and actions became the subject of comedy material performed by a young comedian with a mu...

American Sniper (film) 4 — Film about Iraq War sniper Chris Kyle, criticized as propaganda that portrays shooting Arabs as heroic and morally unamb...

Chris Kyle (person) 4 — Iraq War sniper portrayed in American Sniper, discussed critically as being glorified for killing Arabs from long distan...

French Foreign Legion (place) 4 — Military organization referenced as a male archetype for seeking adventure when having nothing else going on in life.

Broadway (place) 4 — The New York theater district criticized for declining from genuine talent and craft to parody-level productions.

Xiaohongshu (concept) 4 — Chinese social media platform that serves as a cultural bridge allowing Western users to see contemporary Chinese societ...

r/Chiraqology (place) 4 — A Chicago-focused subreddit representing 'hood reddit' culture, documenting street life, drill music, and gang culture i...

Aaron Bushnell (person) 4 — Individual who committed suicide by self-immolation as a protest against Palestine's situation, discussed as an example ...

Band of Brothers (film) 4 — War series depicting the actual horror and suffering experienced by soldiers, contrary to romanticized notions of mascul...

I Saw the TV Glow (film) 4 — A horror film discussed for its creepy imagery, particularly an ice cream guy character that lingered in the viewer's mi...

Bob Odenkirk (person) 4 — Actor praised for making his character in Better Call Saul feel more emotionally real than the protagonist of Breaking B...

Wendy's (place) 4 — Fast food restaurant chain mentioned as the ironic destination of drivers who perform dangerous traffic maneuvers.

Central Asia (place) 4 — Region where a traveler experienced numerous misadventures including illness, accidents, and bureaucratic troubles acros...

Pam Bondi (person) 4 — Justice Department official seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, criticized by his lawyer as engaging in politi...

Papa John's (place) 4 — Pizza chain mentioned sarcastically as representing the kind of trivial workplace innovation expected in corporate devel...

Patrice O'Neal (person) 4 — Comedian whose clips are predicted to become popular as the subreddit's male audience ages and misogyny curdles from whi...

Mike Tyson (person) 4 — Former heavyweight boxing champion and convicted rapist whose scheduled fight with Jake Paul highlighted society's selec...

Gran Torino (film) 4 — Clint Eastwood film referenced for its frequent use of slurs, watched by the poster and his ex before a fight.

GrubHub (place) 4 — Food delivery service symbolizing the stay-at-home lifestyle that some liberals found legitimized during COVID quarantin...

RuPaul (person) 4 — Television personality and drag queen whose show featured a dance performance about Russian disinformation that was desc...

Watchmen (film) 4 — Graphic novel by Alan Moore, cited as entry point for readers unfamiliar with the medium and part of his popular work.

ACAB (concept) 4 — Anti-police slogan (All Cops Are Bastards) that the poster observes society abandoned in favor of supporting a police st...

Accelerationism (concept) 4 — A political-philosophical concept frequently mispronounced at fashionable intellectual gatherings, according to a cultur...