Skip to Content
Opinion

What SCARES You? (An Open Thread Discussion of Fear.)

We're getting spooky this week.

Did you know Minneapolis City Hall is famously haunted by the ghost of John Moshik, a convicted murderer who was hanged there in 1898? Also, the ideas coming outta some of these politicians are pretty scary, amiright?

|Wikipedia Commons

Greetings. Dr. Boller* here, scribbling in my notebook as you lay on a chaise lounge: What scares you? (*Mr. Boller is not a doctor; he graduated from a state school with a worthless journalism degree—Ski-U-Mah!)

As we careen spookily into the Halloween weekend, let's chat about scary stuff in the broadest and/or most specific senses. What stirs your existential dread (climate change, income inequality, creeping neofascism)? What phobias grip you (ablutophobia, coulrophobia, or, god forbid, samhainophobia)? What Minnesota locations "give" haunted "aura" (Glensheen Mansion, the Soap Factory, Cuzzy's)? Or, on a much lighter note, what sorts of frightening media do you enjoy (Rosemary's Baby, Stephen King, the Misfits discography)?

If these very prompts are giving you the heebie-jeebies, don't sweat it! This is your Friday Open Thread, so talk about whatever the hell (place the Devil lives, very scary) you'd like.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

I Watched Eric Church Perform in St. Paul While ICE Thugs Were Kidnapping My Neighbors

The Nashville outsider rocked for a fiery 2.5 hours, but there are some lines even he won't cross.

February 9, 2026

NYT: MN U.S. Attorney’s Office ‘In Crisis’ After Patel Ended Investigation Into Renee Good Killing

Plus national attention on Council Member Stevenson, Lindell campaign's book-buying spree, and How to Help in today's Flyover news roundup.

February 9, 2026

MN ICE Watch Feb. 9-13: Daily Updates on the Federal Forces That Just Won’t Leave

Another week, another mega blog of ICE-related headlines.

February 9, 2026

Jug Bands, RVs, Space Fest at the Bell: This Week’s Best Events

Plus a free market on Lyndale, rare films, and last call for Dyani White Hawk's 'Love Language' at the Walker.

February 9, 2026

Strib Analysis: ICE Being Weird, Illegal With License Plates

Plus states fight to investigate ICE killings, a tow truck company does good work, and a family in need in today's Flyover news roundup.

Open Thread: Extra! Extra! What Operation Metro Surge Articles Stick With You?

As we do every Friday, we're turning Racket over to you, the readers.

February 6, 2026
See all posts