...really says it all huh

No it doesn't. It doesn't say it all. All it says is that the author is addicted to the infotainment algorithms and fancies himself to understand EVERYTHING... and it's all bleak, all cynicism.

What are they referencing in the first instance?

If it's the subway thing, I'm pretty sure you need four people to be a mass shooting.

Also don't pull knives on cops.

get out and stop paying taxes that finance policies you don't support.

there's plenty of other more affordable, beautiful places to live with all the modern amenities, plus the social services lacking in the US.