Safe spaces and octagons
Adam Carolla's prognosticative metaphor for the self-segregation of America. 'Safe spaces' represent failing progressive areas like LA and Portland, while 'octagons' represent thriving, freedom-oriented places like Florida and Texas.
First Mentioned
1/14/2026, 2:39:59 AM
Last Updated
1/14/2026, 2:45:57 AM
Research Retrieved
1/14/2026, 2:45:57 AM
Summary
The phrase "safe spaces and octagons" is a metaphorical concept popularized by comedian Adam Carolla to describe the increasing ideological and geographic divide in the United States, which he refers to as the "Two Americas." Carolla uses this phrase to critique what he perceives as a pervasive "safety culture" or "gyno-fascism" that prioritizes bureaucratic processes over tangible results, particularly in states like California. He contrasts "safe spaces"—representing over-regulated, safety-obsessed environments—with "octagons," implying a more rugged, meritocratic, or results-oriented alternative. This concept is explored in depth during his appearance on the All-In Podcast and in episode #2020 of "The Adam and Dr. Drew Show." Additionally, the term "Octagon House" identifies a historic, allegedly haunted residence in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Originator
Adam Carolla
NRHP Status
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972
Podcast Episode
#2020 - Safe Spaces and Octagons
Associated Concept
Gyno-fascism (excessive safety culture prioritizing process over results)
Historical Reference
Octagon House (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
Metaphorical Meaning
National self-segregation into two distinct Americas based on safety culture versus meritocracy
Timeline
- The Octagon House in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Source: Wikipedia: Octagon House (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin))
1972-01-01
- Episode #2020 of The Adam and Dr. Drew Show, titled 'Safe Spaces and Octagons,' is released, discussing the metaphor and safety culture. (Source: Reddit: r/AdamCarolla - Safe spaces and octagons)
2021-10-20
- Adam Carolla discusses the 'Two Americas' and 'Safe spaces and octagons' metaphor on the All-In Podcast in the context of California's leadership and the Palisades Fire anniversary. (Source: Adam Carolla on California’s Collapse: Fires, Failed Leadership, and Gyno-Fascism)
2024-01-01
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaOctagon House (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
The Octagon House is a historic house located at 276 Linden Street in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Along with the Wallace-Jagdfeld Octagon House, it is one of two Octagon Houses in Fond du Lac. The house was featured as the second-most haunted house in Wisconsin on the History Channel show "Hidden Passages".
Web Search Results
- Safe Spaces And Octagons The Adam And Dr. Drew Show podcast
### Duncan Trussell Family Hour icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon PlayerFM logo Get it on App Store Get it on Google Play)) ## Quick Reference Guide Player FM logo Episode being played series thumbnail icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon PlayerFM logo Browser Chrome Safari Firefox # ## #### <% checkedStr = inclusion ? 'checked=checked' : '' %> /> <%= superchan.title %> [...] See Privacy Policy at and California Privacy Notice at . 2297 episodes Artwork ## #2020 - Safe Spaces and Octagons The Adam and Dr. Drew Show 1,974 subscribers published 6M ago icon icon icon icon icon icon icon icon [...] icon icon Subscribe Unsubscribe icon Weekly+ Welcome to "Decisions, Decisions," the podcast where boundaries are pushed, and conversations get candid! Join your favorite hosts, Mandii B and WeezyWTF, as they dive deep into the world of non-traditional relationships and explore the often-taboo topics surrounding dating, sex, and love. Every Monday, Mandii and Weezy invite you to unlearn the outdated narratives dictated by traditional patriarchal norms. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and authenticity, they share their personal jou ... … continue reading Artwork ### 1 The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament ### Joey Coco Diaz icon5k icon1k icon icon Subscribe Unsubscribe icon 11h ago11h ago icon icon Subscribe Unsubscribe icon Weekly
- “Safe spaces and octagons…” : r/AdamCarolla - Reddit
r/AdamCarolla icon # “Safe spaces and octagons…” Just saw the newest episode of the Adam and Drew show in my download que with a reference to this recent classic in the title (I haven’t downloaded an episode in years but didn’t unsubscribe because the titles are so hilariously predictable and give me a glimpse into how bad that show has gotten). It might be one of his dumbest takes in recent history and he keeps going back to it. What the fuck is he even talking about? I don’t even know what anecdotal evidence it’s even based on. Jeeps and Tesla’s? Dude, you live in LA… [...] Does he just not know very many people anymore and the few that he does happen to sort of fit into these imaginary boxes? I’d be curious to see where he’d place Sonny on this spectrum that explicitly has no middle ground. Create your account and connect with a world of communities. snoo_tongue snoo_tongue Adam is drunk Anyone can view, post, and comment to this community ## Top Posts
- #2020 - Safe Spaces and Octagons - The Adam Carolla Show
The Adam Carolla Show # The Adam Carolla Show The Adam Carolla Show ### Paid episode ## #2020 - Safe Spaces and Octagons The Adam Carolla Show's avatar Adam Carolla's avatar On this episode of The Adam and Dr. Drew Show, Adam and Drew unpack the myth of the European Union as a modern utopia, pointing out how little most people actually understand about how it functions. Dr. Drew stresses the value of learning from history, while Adam explores the extremes of human behavior—from remarkable achievements to shocking cruelty. T… User's avatar ## Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Adam Carolla. The Adam Carolla Show Adam Carolla's avatar The Adam Carolla Show's avatar
- Red, White & Sometimes Blue: How Safety Shaped the Octagonal ...
### “The recommendations were based on a simple, albeit not exactly intuitive, idea: the more sides a sign has, the higher the danger level it invokes. By the engineers’ reckoning, the circle, which has an infinite number of sides, screamed danger and was recommended for railroad crossings. The octagon, with its eight sides, was used to denote the second-highest level. The diamond shape was for warning signs. And the rectangle and square shapes were used for informational signs.” [...] Then, in 1923, the Mississippi Valley Association of State Highway Departments formalized the octagonal shape we associate with these signs to this day. The distinctiveness of the octagon was useful, but there was more to the decision than that — the designers making the call wanted to create and reinforce associations between geometry and safety. In a New York Times Magazine article, Hilary Greenbaum and Dana Rubinstein explain the reasoning behind the shape of not only the stop sign, but other standard signage as well: [...] In some places, laws or ordinances prevent the use of public signage on private property, so in parking lots or other privately owned paved spaces, blue is used as a differentiating tactic. The solution is simple, clever and effective — whatever color the sign may have, the distinctive lettering and shape will always send a clear message to stop. #### Article ### Beyond Biohazard: Why Danger Symbols Can’t Last Forever
- OSHA Caution Shape Safety Sign: Confined Space - Accuform
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