Red Scare Canon — Cultural References from the Subreddit

Vanity Fair (place) 7 — A novel by William Makepeace Thackeray described as capturing the spirit of the Regency era, though not strictly a memoi...

Suspiria (film) 7 — Film that some on the subreddit compared Dasha's movie to, though the poster found this comparison laughable

Before Sunrise (film) 7 — Film referenced for a scene about being sick of yourself, related to the feeling of being trapped with one's own appeara...

Gravity's Rainbow (book) 7 — A novel being read by someone on a bus which, combined with other factors, caused them to fall asleep and subsequently w...

Amber Frost (person) 7 — Author of Dirtbag who worked on Bernie Sanders' campaign and is associated with Chapo Trap House, described as deeply in...

Reagan (person) 7 — Former U.S. President whose Reagan Bush campaign shirt was parodied with Washington Adams 89, causing controversy on Tin...

blink-182 (album) 7 — Pop-punk band mentioned in passing in relation to a wealthy individual who allegedly spends money on online content crea...

White Noise (film) 7 — A novel discussed in relation to media criticism and the character Murray Jay Siskind who represents a thinker captured ...

South Carolina (place) 7 — State whose women's basketball team is set to face the winner of Iowa-Connecticut in a racialized tournament narrative.

Arthur Schopenhauer (person) 7 — Philosopher who greatly influenced Houellebecq, known for viewing alienation as resulting from individuated consciousnes...

LeBron James (person) 7 — Celebrity athlete featured in Taco Bell advertising, representing the trend of celebrity endorsements replacing traditio...

Rosemary's Baby (film) 7 — Roman Polanski film discussed for its portrayal of terror experienced by a young woman whose body is being abused while ...

Cillian Murphy (person) 7 — Actor discussed in contrast to his earlier work on Peaky Blinders, criticized for lacking sensuality in an Oppenheimer s...

Angela Nagle (person) 7 — Cultural critic and author of Kill All Normies who has been blacklisted by leftist publications and appeared on Tucker C...

Adventure Time (film) 7 — Animated TV show discussed as capsule of the 2010s that evolved from loud epic random content to queer carebaby enby rep...

The Death of Ivan Ilyich (book) 7 — Leo Tolstoy's novella about a man's death, discussed as having a hopeful ending contrary to its reputation for sadness.

Theodor Adorno (person) 7 — German philosopher and critical theorist referenced in a post about craft in writing as someone who devoted his life to ...

The Bell Jar (book) 7 — Novel chosen alongside Requiem for a Dream to kick off 2026 as part of someone's resolution to avoid news and expand the...

Aaron Sorkin (person) 7 — A screenwriter mentioned as writing a movie about Facebook's role in January 6th, described as insufferable in an interv...

Ivanka Trump (person) 7 — Political figure and daughter of Donald Trump, discussed in terms of being seen as an eternal matriarch subverted throug...

Fargo (film) 7 — A film and TV series that began with seasons praised for memorable characters and humor but declined in quality with lat...

Adam McKay (person) 7 — Film director criticized alongside Rian Johnson for making obvious, patronizing films that treat audiences like children...

Jon Hamm (person) 7 — Actor who appeared in a Black Mirror episode about digital social blocking that serves as a metaphor for online ostracis...

Lisbon (place) 7 — European coastal city mentioned as a desired immigration destination by an American seeking to escape US urban life.

Salò (film) 7 — Pasolini's controversial film cited as a favorite by a graduate student characterized as having extreme tastes.

Citizen Kane (film) 7 — Classic film used as an example of how film buffs have diverse opinions and aren't afraid to call acclaimed works overra...

Schizophrenia (concept) 7 — A psychiatric diagnosis that was incorrectly given to a patient who reported being harassed and spied on by a sibling, i...

Stevie Wonder (person) 7 — Musician referenced in a joking context about wearing sunglasses to hide facial features.

Tolstoy (person) 7 — Russian writer who wrote a play based on a real case of an alcoholic who faked his own suicide, then later met and helpe...

2024 (concept) 6 — The year referenced in context of craft breweries still opening despite market saturation.

The Shock Doctrine (book) 6 — Reference to Naomi Klein's concept of using crises to implement unpopular policies, applied to blaming 'woke' for variou...

Whiplash (film) 6 — A film lionized by techbros that transforms the free, soulful style of jazz into a competition that rips all the fun out...

Berserk (book) 6 — Manga series whose character Griffith is used as a physical comparison for someone's distinctive appearance

Odysseus (person) 6 — Greek mythological hero, protagonist of Homer's Odyssey, referenced in discussion of Emily Wilson's translation

Ocean Blvd (album) 6 — Lana Del Rey album discussed in context of her discography, with 'Chemtrails Over the Country Club' being praised as sup...

Florence Pugh (person) 6 — Actress discussed in relation to dressing for one's body type, prompting reflections on body image and aesthetic ideals

Burning Man (concept) 6 — Annual counterculture event in Nevada's Black Rock Desert referenced in context of business decision-making.

r/antiwork (place) 6 — Subreddit referenced in context of contemporary NEET culture and refusing to participate in work as a matter of principl...

Baltimore (place) 6 — City in Maryland serving as the setting for The Wire, known for its drug trade and street culture depiction.

Jeff Bezos (person) 6 — Referenced in a meme about learned helplessness where social media tells people there's no point working hard because Be...

DC (concept) 6 — DC Comics film franchise that, along with Marvel, dominated mainstream movie discourse until recently but has since decl...

Jada Pinkett Smith (person) 6 — Actress and wife of Will Smith, discussed as being abusive toward her husband in a widely publicized incident.

Hurricane Katrina (concept) 6 — Devastating 2005 hurricane referenced as an example of natural disaster that required robust governmental response, used...

Balkans (place) 6 — A region in southeastern Europe, referenced in contrast to American confusion about Eastern European geography during th...

Kali Yuga (concept) 6 — A Hindu concept of the age of degradation, used in discussion of declining testosterone and increasing sexual perversion...

In-N-Out (place) 6 — Fast food chain praised for its simple business model of offering decent products at reasonable prices without excessive...

Scarlett Johansson (person) 6 — Actress who appeared opposite Jon Favreau in Chef, discussed in context of the unlikely romantic pairing.

Cancun (place) 6 — Mexican resort destination mentioned as a typical vacation spot for liberal travelers who engage in elaborate COVID safe...

Late Stage Capitalism (concept) 6 — Economic and social condition exemplified by South Korea with its low birth rates, extreme loneliness, superficiality, m...

Algeria (place) 6 — North African country whose second-generation immigrant children in France are noted to be more religious and nationalis...