Brett Miller
@brettrhetoric.bsky.social
Occasional professor, scholar, writer, traveler, and songster. Still learning to play the symbols. https://somethinggigantic.com
When I was young, I was a lot like Charlie Kirk. This essay is me grappling with my religious trauma, while processing how to respond to his death.
I Was Charlie Kirk
How I also merged religion and politics to make bad faith arguments
open.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:13 AM
When I was young, I was a lot like Charlie Kirk. This essay is me grappling with my religious trauma, while processing how to respond to his death.
Using Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion to explain why Booker's speech worked.
Why Booker's Good Trouble Worked
Using persuasion theory to explain why the longest speech was so good.
open.substack.com
April 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Using Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion to explain why Booker's speech worked.
We sold the van that carried us all around the country and into hundreds of conversations. What now?
It Was Something Gigantic
The van is gone, and now it's time for a different kind of journey
open.substack.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We sold the van that carried us all around the country and into hundreds of conversations. What now?
My latest.
Schumer's Choice
Forcing a shutdown is dangerous, unless the people are ready to rise up.
open.substack.com
March 15, 2025 at 9:20 AM
My latest.
My latest in @goodfaithmedia.bsky.social
This is directed at myself as much as anything. It's hard to not be consumed by hate these days.
This is directed at myself as much as anything. It's hard to not be consumed by hate these days.
What Are We For?
If we are driven by the desire to harm and reduce ourselves to name-calling and the dehumanization of others, no matter how deplorable they may be, we sabotage our efforts and our credibility. Even if...
goodfaithmedia.org
March 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
My latest in @goodfaithmedia.bsky.social
This is directed at myself as much as anything. It's hard to not be consumed by hate these days.
This is directed at myself as much as anything. It's hard to not be consumed by hate these days.
From my latest Substack essay:
"The struggle is evidence of the virtue for which we fight."
Subscribe for free.
"The struggle is evidence of the virtue for which we fight."
Subscribe for free.
It's Not Just the Cruelty, It's the Struggle
The human need for struggle fuels our irrational responses to tyranny
open.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 9:29 PM
From my latest Substack essay:
"The struggle is evidence of the virtue for which we fight."
Subscribe for free.
"The struggle is evidence of the virtue for which we fight."
Subscribe for free.
Over the last 20-30 years, most universities shifted their values from educating students in the liberal arts tradition to satisfying customers. It's going to be hard on them, now that fascism is at the gate. Any school that accommodates this tyranny should never receive tuition again.
March 4, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Over the last 20-30 years, most universities shifted their values from educating students in the liberal arts tradition to satisfying customers. It's going to be hard on them, now that fascism is at the gate. Any school that accommodates this tyranny should never receive tuition again.
I would think standup comedy is particularly hard these days. If i were me, I'd finish my set with, "Thank you. I'm here ... all, weak."
March 3, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I would think standup comedy is particularly hard these days. If i were me, I'd finish my set with, "Thank you. I'm here ... all, weak."
I'm new to Substack. If you like it, subscribe for free.
OUTBURSTING OUR BUBBLE
The Language of Hostility in Politics and Public Life
open.substack.com
March 3, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I'm new to Substack. If you like it, subscribe for free.
Cowards. Every one.
NEW: Senator Marshall (R-KS) RUNS AWAY, fleeing his own town hall after being asked about DOGE firing Veterans. MAKE HIM GO VIRAL.
March 2, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Cowards. Every one.
If you’re looking for a camper, or a bug out van for the dystopian hellscape, message me for details.
2017 Winnebago Travato 59K, 57,xxx miles, great condition, $61,900
2017 Winnebago Travato 59K, 57,xxx miles, great condition, $61,900
March 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
If you’re looking for a camper, or a bug out van for the dystopian hellscape, message me for details.
2017 Winnebago Travato 59K, 57,xxx miles, great condition, $61,900
2017 Winnebago Travato 59K, 57,xxx miles, great condition, $61,900
As of 6am (CST), this is the location of "Kremlin Headquarters " on Google Maps.
February 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
As of 6am (CST), this is the location of "Kremlin Headquarters " on Google Maps.
Brace yourselves, we now have an intelligence community and military command structure in place to carry out unconstitutional, treasonous, and immoral orders.
February 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Brace yourselves, we now have an intelligence community and military command structure in place to carry out unconstitutional, treasonous, and immoral orders.
Reposted by Brett Miller
I confess, I’m dumbfounded when readers demand “solutions” after I describe the fire consuming democracy. My task is to make you see the flames. You cannot douse what you refuse to see. First, we must wake the sleepwalkers—then we can talk about rebuilding.
February 20, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I confess, I’m dumbfounded when readers demand “solutions” after I describe the fire consuming democracy. My task is to make you see the flames. You cannot douse what you refuse to see. First, we must wake the sleepwalkers—then we can talk about rebuilding.
Reposted by Brett Miller
It’s time for Americans to withhold their taxes | Judith Levine
It’s time for Americans to withhold their taxes | Judith Levine
The point is not to deprive the government of funds. It’s to expose the regime’s criminality
www.theguardian.com
February 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
It’s time for Americans to withhold their taxes | Judith Levine
Reposted by Brett Miller
Marco Rubio's collaboration with Russia's Sergei Lavrov and Putin is one of the most disgusting acts of betrayal to democracy and our nation. Rubio has secured his place in history of infamy.
February 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Marco Rubio's collaboration with Russia's Sergei Lavrov and Putin is one of the most disgusting acts of betrayal to democracy and our nation. Rubio has secured his place in history of infamy.
SNL50 Top 5:
5. Adam Sandler song (laughs and tears)
4. Eddie Murphy on Black Jeopardy
3. Bobby Moynihan as Drunk Uncle
2. Will Ferrell as Big Red in Scared Straight
1. Kate McKinnon and Meryl Streep in Close Encounter (poke bowl and smoky hole, vagedy and tragedy, carpets and tarpits)
5. Adam Sandler song (laughs and tears)
4. Eddie Murphy on Black Jeopardy
3. Bobby Moynihan as Drunk Uncle
2. Will Ferrell as Big Red in Scared Straight
1. Kate McKinnon and Meryl Streep in Close Encounter (poke bowl and smoky hole, vagedy and tragedy, carpets and tarpits)
February 17, 2025 at 4:40 AM
SNL50 Top 5:
5. Adam Sandler song (laughs and tears)
4. Eddie Murphy on Black Jeopardy
3. Bobby Moynihan as Drunk Uncle
2. Will Ferrell as Big Red in Scared Straight
1. Kate McKinnon and Meryl Streep in Close Encounter (poke bowl and smoky hole, vagedy and tragedy, carpets and tarpits)
5. Adam Sandler song (laughs and tears)
4. Eddie Murphy on Black Jeopardy
3. Bobby Moynihan as Drunk Uncle
2. Will Ferrell as Big Red in Scared Straight
1. Kate McKinnon and Meryl Streep in Close Encounter (poke bowl and smoky hole, vagedy and tragedy, carpets and tarpits)
I'm going to start using they/them when referring to POTUS.
February 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I'm going to start using they/them when referring to POTUS.
"No matter what may come of this/We were built for this abyss"
Something Gigantic by Brett Miller on Apple Music
Song · 2020 · Duration 5:03
music.apple.com
February 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
"No matter what may come of this/We were built for this abyss"
There's another musician (besides Chappell Roan) from my hometown who was on a meteoric ride. Elton John said Jake Wesley Rogers reminded him of himself. But, Crohn's disease, a ruptured intestine, and multiple surgeries derailed Jake's momentum this last year. He's back. Great single out today.
Jake Wesley Rogers - God Bless (Live from a Lodge)
YouTube video by Jake Wesley Rogers
youtu.be
February 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM
There's another musician (besides Chappell Roan) from my hometown who was on a meteoric ride. Elton John said Jake Wesley Rogers reminded him of himself. But, Crohn's disease, a ruptured intestine, and multiple surgeries derailed Jake's momentum this last year. He's back. Great single out today.
Why do I keep writing about this stuff? Because I was raised to speak up, even when my voice shakes. And because they will come for me last. I don't want my first words of resistance to be uttered when there's no one left to hear them.
February 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Why do I keep writing about this stuff? Because I was raised to speak up, even when my voice shakes. And because they will come for me last. I don't want my first words of resistance to be uttered when there's no one left to hear them.
The newest polls show his job approval moving above 50%. It’s official – most of us are cruel or stupid. Or both.
February 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The newest polls show his job approval moving above 50%. It’s official – most of us are cruel or stupid. Or both.
