Donovan Schaefer
@feelingtheory.bsky.social
West coast soul in Philly. Theory prof teaching/writing about emotion, secularism, & power.
Current projects: Conspiracy theory, secular artifacts, Confederate commemoration.
🐱🐱 Brighton & Bristol
🌱 ⓥ food
📚✍️: http://donovanschaefer.com/research
Current projects: Conspiracy theory, secular artifacts, Confederate commemoration.
🐱🐱 Brighton & Bristol
🌱 ⓥ food
📚✍️: http://donovanschaefer.com/research
Pinned
Are Animals Religious?
YouTube video by ReligionForBreakfast
www.youtube.com
Honored to have my book *Religious Affects* discussed as part of this outstanding Religion for Breakfast video essay from @andrewmarkhenry.bsky.social reviewing the evidence for religious behavior among animals!
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
Tulsi Gabbard in 2019:
"The United States needs to keep our hands off Venezuela... end these destructive and wasteful regime change wars... proven to cause more problems, increase suffering, increase instability for the people in the countries where we wage these wars. In Latin America especially".
"The United States needs to keep our hands off Venezuela... end these destructive and wasteful regime change wars... proven to cause more problems, increase suffering, increase instability for the people in the countries where we wage these wars. In Latin America especially".
January 3, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Tulsi Gabbard in 2019:
"The United States needs to keep our hands off Venezuela... end these destructive and wasteful regime change wars... proven to cause more problems, increase suffering, increase instability for the people in the countries where we wage these wars. In Latin America especially".
"The United States needs to keep our hands off Venezuela... end these destructive and wasteful regime change wars... proven to cause more problems, increase suffering, increase instability for the people in the countries where we wage these wars. In Latin America especially".
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
Among the many reasons you don’t kidnap a foreign head of state at gunpoint even if you have the capability, is that it sparks consequences you can neither control nor anticipate.
January 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Among the many reasons you don’t kidnap a foreign head of state at gunpoint even if you have the capability, is that it sparks consequences you can neither control nor anticipate.
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
"Statistics show that crime in Philadelphia is at its lowest level in 60 years. But we found a guy with a Confederate flag hanging off the front porch of his New Jersey home who says that's not true."
This isn't about democratizing the news. It's about elevating "vibes" and "feelings" to be on par with lived experience and subject-matter expertise.
January 3, 2026 at 1:26 AM
"Statistics show that crime in Philadelphia is at its lowest level in 60 years. But we found a guy with a Confederate flag hanging off the front porch of his New Jersey home who says that's not true."
This poll from 6 weeks ago has 60% of Americans saying they don't know enough about Maduro to even have an opinion of him.
Contrast with March 2003, by which point US media had spent almost a decade and a half painting Saddam Hussein as a global supervillain.
Contrast with March 2003, by which point US media had spent almost a decade and a half painting Saddam Hussein as a global supervillain.
Only a small share of Americans consider Venezuela to be a national emergency | YouGov
Venezuela is viewed by most Americans as having an adversarial relationship with the U.S., but few describe the situation there as a U.S. national emergency. Many Americans don't have an opinion on Ni...
today.yougov.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:22 PM
This poll from 6 weeks ago has 60% of Americans saying they don't know enough about Maduro to even have an opinion of him.
Contrast with March 2003, by which point US media had spent almost a decade and a half painting Saddam Hussein as a global supervillain.
Contrast with March 2003, by which point US media had spent almost a decade and a half painting Saddam Hussein as a global supervillain.
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
Ten years ago I would not have known the majority of the words in this paragraph—and was indubitably far better off for it.
January 3, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Ten years ago I would not have known the majority of the words in this paragraph—and was indubitably far better off for it.
When I was a teenager a bunch of my friends worked at something called the Cactus Club Cafe and the manager gave them coke on their shifts
“Nicotine pouches, which have grown in popularity in recent years, including among Wall Street bankers, have become a go-to stimulant for a subset of tech workers who claim the products help them focus and get through the workday, despite health hazards.”
Tech Startups Are Handing Out Free Nicotine Pouches to Boost Productivity
A nicotine replacement for smokers has started popping up in offices in the tech industry, despite health hazards.
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:19 AM
When I was a teenager a bunch of my friends worked at something called the Cactus Club Cafe and the manager gave them coke on their shifts
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
Zohran is already making Regular People's lives harder...
January 3, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Zohran is already making Regular People's lives harder...
Neo-Confederates not beating that white supremacism rap anytime soon
January 3, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Neo-Confederates not beating that white supremacism rap anytime soon
"Statistics show that crime in Philadelphia is at its lowest level in 60 years. But we found a guy with a Confederate flag hanging off the front porch of his New Jersey home who says that's not true."
This isn't about democratizing the news. It's about elevating "vibes" and "feelings" to be on par with lived experience and subject-matter expertise.
January 3, 2026 at 1:26 AM
"Statistics show that crime in Philadelphia is at its lowest level in 60 years. But we found a guy with a Confederate flag hanging off the front porch of his New Jersey home who says that's not true."
Timmy Supreme
‘Marty Supreme’ is very good indeed. The determination of the lead character is as relentless as the pace of the film. I was exhausted. Timothée Chalamet is terrific, but so too are Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A'zion. Nice use of a 1980s soundtrack to the 1950s setting.
January 3, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Timmy Supreme
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
The leaders of every major institution have straight-up fricasseed their brains with 16 hours of daily Twitter time and are now incapable of any thought that can’t be formulated as “CHEW ON THIS HOT TAKE: [biggest pander imaginable].”
January 2, 2026 at 9:34 PM
The leaders of every major institution have straight-up fricasseed their brains with 16 hours of daily Twitter time and are now incapable of any thought that can’t be formulated as “CHEW ON THIS HOT TAKE: [biggest pander imaginable].”
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
at last a worthy resolution
January 2, 2026 at 11:13 PM
at last a worthy resolution
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
Religious Studies friends, a question:
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
January 2, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Religious Studies friends, a question:
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
The use "SATs-to-hire-professors" article floating around - presumably written by someone with high SAT scores - is a perfect example of why expertise is more important than standardized testing.
Someone with expertise would know the relevant standardized test for PhD holders is the GRE
Someone with expertise would know the relevant standardized test for PhD holders is the GRE
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
The use "SATs-to-hire-professors" article floating around - presumably written by someone with high SAT scores - is a perfect example of why expertise is more important than standardized testing.
Someone with expertise would know the relevant standardized test for PhD holders is the GRE
Someone with expertise would know the relevant standardized test for PhD holders is the GRE
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
My worst movie of 2025:
January 2, 2026 at 3:07 AM
My worst movie of 2025:
Religious Studies friends, a question:
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
January 2, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Religious Studies friends, a question:
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
I'm writing a response to the 2nd ed of Critical Terms for Religious Studies (2025). The first one was before my time, academically (1998), but some of its chapters--especially Smith (RRR) and Sharf (Experience)--cast long shadows on my grad school years -->
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
Here is the editor of Tablet agreeably reposting someone calling nonwhite NYC immigrants "worthless biotrash." It's astonishing how quickly this stuff has escaped containment
January 2, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Here is the editor of Tablet agreeably reposting someone calling nonwhite NYC immigrants "worthless biotrash." It's astonishing how quickly this stuff has escaped containment
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
My wife makes the best Southern New Year's Day feast
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
January 2, 2026 at 2:52 AM
My wife makes the best Southern New Year's Day feast
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
the amount of circling back being calendared right now is reaching critical levels globally
January 2, 2026 at 5:17 AM
the amount of circling back being calendared right now is reaching critical levels globally
My wife makes the best Southern New Year's Day feast
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
January 2, 2026 at 2:52 AM
My wife makes the best Southern New Year's Day feast
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
Hush puppies, Hoppin John, collard greens
(vegan, ofc)
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
Tomorrow's New York Post headline: Commie Mamdani Disses Nets Faithful
“We expect greatness from the cooks wielding 1000 spices. From those who stride out on our Broadway stages. And from our starting point guard at Madison Square Garden. Let us demand the same from those who work in government”
— Zohran Mamdani, NYC Mayor inaugural speech
youtube.com/shorts/QXwdN...
— Zohran Mamdani, NYC Mayor inaugural speech
youtube.com/shorts/QXwdN...
“We expect greatness” — Zohran Mamdani shoutout to Jalen Brunson in NYC Mayor inauguration speech
YouTube video by New York Basketball
youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Tomorrow's New York Post headline: Commie Mamdani Disses Nets Faithful
There's so much symbolic power in this choice.
I've learned not to put too much faith in politicians. (Not for cynical reasons, exactly, I just don't think they're the main thing that drives change.)
But Mamdani is bringing a brilliant light and I hope it burns strong.
I've learned not to put too much faith in politicians. (Not for cynical reasons, exactly, I just don't think they're the main thing that drives change.)
But Mamdani is bringing a brilliant light and I hope it burns strong.
I was wondering what Mamdani's first executive order would be, and I'm not disappointed by this.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
January 2, 2026 at 12:52 AM
There's so much symbolic power in this choice.
I've learned not to put too much faith in politicians. (Not for cynical reasons, exactly, I just don't think they're the main thing that drives change.)
But Mamdani is bringing a brilliant light and I hope it burns strong.
I've learned not to put too much faith in politicians. (Not for cynical reasons, exactly, I just don't think they're the main thing that drives change.)
But Mamdani is bringing a brilliant light and I hope it burns strong.
Reposted by Donovan Schaefer
God, I wish this guy could run for president.
Mamdani: I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.
January 1, 2026 at 9:15 PM
God, I wish this guy could run for president.
God, I wish this guy could run for president.
Mamdani: I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.
January 1, 2026 at 9:15 PM
God, I wish this guy could run for president.
ominous
January 1, 2026 at 4:59 PM
ominous