It’s all about pop culture and obscure writings these days.
Join a trivia challenge at some social event and see how many references from history (American and world) and literature come up.
It is as you described: pop culture and garbage.
There was a time when all Americans were immersed in classic history and literature. Even the common man was expected to have been exposed to it. Check out the classic cartoons from the 1930s through the 1950s (originally for theatrical release before the newsreel and the main feature) and see this.
“Check out the classic cartoons from the 1930s through the 1950s (originally for theatrical release before the newsreel and the main feature) and see this.”