Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
The problem, to put it bluntly, is that you want the cool kids to like you and you are worried that they won't.
First of all, I think your endeavor will most likely fail for achieving its intended purpose. There are very few genuine shared cultural touchstones left; most of what served that purpose has long since been deconstructed or gatekept to exclude people they don't want there.
Second, try and seek out other cultural artifacts for the joy of it, not because it will make you more palatable to your colleagues. Passion is obvious to someone who is genuinely observing, and a faker is more cringe than someone who is genuinely ignorant. Read widely. Experience more. Go outside your comfort zone. Look at the things you enjoy and learn about them, not as a consumer, but as a producer, a businessperson, a creator. How is something done and what makes it possible? What are these philosophies, where do they come from, and who and what contexts produced them? What do you get out of it and what can you learn about it?
Third, find scotch people, not bourbon people. Scotch people, especially guys, will be happy to talk at length about what they like and are willing to try and share widely for the joy of it. Bourbon people like their one thing; if there is nothing to be gained from associating with you they will avoid discussing what they like to prevent any chance of them getting less of what they like.
I do not have a high opinion of the "rat community", insofar as it exists, on the internet. However, they are a treasure trove of obscure facts and anecdotes by people who at least attempt, or pretend, to question their own thinking. Read the quality contributions, pay attention when someone with more domain-specific knowledge is sharing their thoughts. There's no shortage of guys willing to talk shit about anything from the Roman Empire to construction projects and zoning laws.
Finally, more importantly than anything else, recognize that your interests and likes are not your identity. People who wear their interests like clothes are are not to be trusted; they are either defined by a company's marketing or a desire to be part of a social group. They are as dust, blown which way the wind takes them.
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