The Pop Culture Detective Agency

27/05/2025

New video essay examining the myth of the "alpha male" and how that false ideal propagates through popular culture!

Since I don't have ads turned on, YouTube's algorithm has been de-prioritizing my videos lately, so please remember to share :)

There’s no such thing as an “alpha male.” It’s a false myth with no bases in biology or science. That fact, however, hasn’t stopped the pseudoscience behind ...

01/01/2025

You can watch a 3 minute preview from our next video essay over on Patreon! Just follow the below link and either support the channel or join for free. Happy 2025! https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-preview-119047410

23/11/2024

This other place seems nice. Follow if you dare... https://bsky.app/profile/popdetective.bsky.social

09/11/2024

Not sure if we're all ready for this one yet given *waves hand at the disaster that is the United States right now* but here's a new video essay featuring Noam Chomsky's argument in favor of human possibilities.

Political scholar Noam Chomsky used to do a thought experiment to combat cynicism about human nature involving an ice cream cone. This video explores Chomsky...

14/08/2024

Surprised this pattern isn't on TV tropes. Never Leave a Pet Behind! What's missing from this list?

https://letterboxd.com/popdetective/list/never-leave-a-pet-behind/detail/

11/08/2024

This is one of the most depressing indictments of corporate media that I've ever seen. There's exactly ONE original story on this upcoming Disney movies list. Everything else is a sequel, remake, or reboot.

03/08/2024

Who are you favorite/lease favorite cynical characters in media?

02/08/2024

I was honored to be part of this panel recently in London about demilitarizing video games with these brilliant folks. Make sure to check out Game Assist for insightful video essays on gaming.

10/05/2024

New video essay using the Barbie Movie to help explain what patriarchy actually is, what it isn't, and how it ends up harming everyone, including men!

This video essay uses the BarbIe Movie as a primer to help explain what patriarchy actually is, what it isn't, and how it ends up harming everyone, including...

01/11/2023

New video essay! Searching for Humanity in Fortnite's Absurdly Popular Battle Royale Gamemode!

Come with me on a journey as I try to break Fortnite by acting like a Care Bear on a battlefield.PATREONhttps://www.patreon.com/popdetectivePAYPALhttps://www...

01/05/2023

New video essay in defense of Disney's Strange "Solarpunk" World

Strange World’s visuals are borrowed from old pulp adventure magazines but its theme has much more in common with Solarpunk narratives.PATREONhttps://www.pat...

17/02/2023

6 years and 28 video essays to hit a million YouTube subscribers. Thank you!