Red Scare Canon — Cultural References from the Subreddit

Tsar Nicholas (person) 1 — Russian Tsar mentioned for sparing Dostoevsky from execution, allowing him to write great literature

Social Alienation (concept) 1 — Modern phenomenon of opting into isolation in shared spaces through headphones, contrasted with older generations mainta...

Social Credit System (concept) 1 — Gamification of morality system proposed as positive if implemented benevolently, unlike Chinese version

Esports (concept) 1 — Competitive video gaming industry that was heavily hyped and funded in the mid-2010s with claims of surpassing tradition...

Rampart (film) 1 — Film starring Woody Harrelson that became infamous due to his poorly received Reddit AMA where he refused to discuss any...

Medical-Student Syndrome (concept) 1 — Phenomenon where doctors in training misdiagnose themselves with disorders they study, applied to laypeople diagnosing t...

They're Not Gaslighting You (book) 1 — Book by therapist Irina Morley published in May denouncing the overuse of therapy-speak terminology.

Therapy Nation (book) 1 — Upcoming book by therapist Jonathan Alpert denouncing the overuse of therapy-speak terminology, scheduled for publicatio...

Settlers (book) 1 — Book referenced in a satirical post about the Statue of Liberty and immigration.

Long Island University (place) 1 — University where clinical psychology professor Andrew Hartz teaches and founded the Open Therapy Institute.

Open Therapy Institute (place) 1 — Institute founded by clinical psychology professor Andrew Hartz addressing issues in couples therapy.

mental health-industrial complex (concept) 1 — Critical term for the commercialization and institutionalization of mental health treatment and discourse.

HEALTH (person) 1 — A band whose live shows attract distinctly online audiences who use internet slang in person and avoid eye contact.

Lynn Shelton (person) 1 — Filmmaker and partner of Marc Maron who he never married, described as a saint for putting up with him.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X (book) 1 — Memoir describing Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca and experience of genuine brotherhood across racial and ethnic lines.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (film) 1 — Will Ferrell NASCAR comedy that a user embarrassingly admits made them cry.

Christian Fascism (concept) 1 — Term used unironically by Marc Maron in his comedy special that was criticized as being among his worst work.

Belly (1998) (film) 1 — A 1998 film directed by Hype Williams noted for its unique cinematography.

Hype Williams (person) 1 — Film director known for distinctive cinematography in the 1998 film Belly.

Farm-Aid (concept) 1 — Activism organization associated with Neil Young described as 'kinda the real deal.'

Cowgirl in the Sand (album) 1 — Neil Young song that a listener wants to play while driving.

Southwest (place) 1 — Airline associated with chicken strips and double whisky and sprites as the way to fly.

Primavera Sound (place) 1 — Music festival in Barcelona held on May 31, 2024.

Maghreb (place) 1 — North African region known for its cats that aren't treated well but are considered cute.

Carole King (person) 1 — Musician whose song was played on a jukebox during a moment of silence between friends at a bar

Casino Royale (film) 1 — James Bond film featuring a scene where Bond's sexual partner is found dead in a hammock on a beach

Quantum of Solace (film) 1 — James Bond film featuring a scene where a woman is drowned in crude oil and left in Bond's bed

Dr. E. H. Mullan (person) 1 — Ellis Island doctor who argued that ethnic behavior deviations from stereotypes should raise suspicions of mental proble...

Legally Blonde (film) 1 — Movie satirically referenced as dictating real-life career choices for non-blonde women

Gut-brain axis (concept) 1 — Scientific concept linking gut microbiome health to mood and mental health, discussed as explaining how diet affects dep...

Pornhub podcast (film) 1 — Podcast hosted by Pornhub mentioned as venue where Anna Khachiyan gave an interview.

Pramipexole (concept) 1 — Psychiatric medication that caused gambling addiction resulting in £30k of debt.

Kodak Gold (concept) 1 — Film photography stock used by a photographer returning to analog photography.

Ektachrome (concept) 1 — Premium color reversal film stock costing $25 per roll used by photographer.

Takashi Miike (person) 1 — Director of films like Audition, Ichi the Killer, and 13 Assassins, described as one of the greatest Japanese directors ...

Audition (film) 1 — Film by Takashi Miike, mentioned as one of his notable works.

Ichi the Killer (film) 1 — Film by Takashi Miike, mentioned as one of his notable works.

13 Assassins (film) 1 — Film by Takashi Miike, mentioned as one of his notable works.

The Stars Look Down (film) 1 — 1940 British drama starring Michael Redgrave about a civic-minded man helping coal miners and the hardships of rural Eng...

Michael Redgrave (person) 1 — Actor who starred in The Stars Look Down (1940) as a civic-minded young man helping coal miners.

Starting Fire with Gunpowder (film) 1 — Documentary about 1970s Inuit communities in Canada producing their own television programs in their native language to ...

APTN (place) 1 — Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, result of 1970s Inuit efforts to preserve their language through indigenous telev...

Straight Into Darkness (film) 1 — 2004 WWII/horror hybrid film about GI deserters in Nazi-occupied Romania, described as an underrated cult classic with a...

Anorgasmia (concept) 1 — Sexual condition discussed by Dasha Nekrasova on Red Scare, who claimed it's 'fake news' and psychological rather than b...

Cuffing Season (concept) 1 — Phenomenon where people seek romantic partners during winter months, discussed as potentially explaining increased roman...

Kerri Colby (person) 1 — Trans woman contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 14 who was openly trans before the show, discussed in context of oth...

Deadwood (film) 1 — Western drama series mentioned as a rewatchable comfort show

Costco Rotisserie Chicken (concept) 1 — Popular Costco product used as humorous weight comparison for thin people

Otokonoko Pharmacy (place) 1 — Deep web seller of estradiol associated with the DIY HRT movement

DIY HRT (concept) 1 — Do-it-yourself hormone replacement therapy movement associated with anarchist trans communities