adri

You could get your wish at any moment

May 1980, the lovely Mount Saint Helens erupted.

Photographer Reid Blackburn chose to stay one day longer than he was assigned, and his body was found buried in ash up to the windows of his Volvo 144.

Here is my list of books that have helped me understand pop culture references and have better understanding of history. Maybe it's just because I hang around nerds, but it also made me able to participate in a coherent conversation about more than like...one topic lol.

Full In the Loop:

Google doc

Goodreads (tryna wean myself off this site lol. highly recommend storygraph as an alternative though it doesn't have lists.)

Fable

I haven't finished reading 100% of them, but even what I've read so far has made me realize how many plots of modern shows and movies + jokes are just adaptations and references. Not even in disguise either. I actually went back and re-watched Community because of this lmao.

The list also gave me an ancient civilizations special interest, so how could I leave these out: (All included the Google doc above too)

Mesopotamia

Goodreads

Fable

Egypt

Goodreads

Fable

Greece

Goodreads

Fable

Rome

Goodreads

Fable

In The Loop Music!!!

Since 2021, I've used this list to help me feel more culturally present and able to hold a conversation about music for more than 3 seconds.

#1 for the OG GOATS.

Starting with the classics like Bach before going into early 20th century artists like Rosetta Tharpe who basically invented modern music. You NEED to know these people in order to spot homages (or plagiarism) in newer songs.

2nd playlist for the Modern Essentials

These are the songs that have somehow reached every part of the planet except under your little rock. Or the artists you've heard of but don't even know where to start!

And the Masterlist

More comprehensive. Background descriptions and includes artists not on the playlist. See where your fav ended up!!

For me, this list has been my social ladder. I've found that even just being AWARE of the zeitgeist automatically puts you at a huge advantage. Even if it's not your style, knowing popular culture gives you a foothold to criticize it intelligently.