Robert McDonald
@lacanmunist.bsky.social
Associate professor of rhetoric at the University of Kansas, author of Works like a Charm: Incentive Rhetoric and the Economization of Everyday Life https://sunypress.edu/Books/W/Works-like-a-Charm
While teaching the check metaphor in MLK’s “I have a dream” speech this week, I was reminded that he includes the line “a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity”. That got me thinking: Is this where the Lonely Island guys got the name of their comedy group??
November 14, 2025 at 8:33 PM
While teaching the check metaphor in MLK’s “I have a dream” speech this week, I was reminded that he includes the line “a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity”. That got me thinking: Is this where the Lonely Island guys got the name of their comedy group??
Subscribe to my Patreon, wherein the only thing I do is edit "morning zoo" radio sound effects into the Why Theory podcast
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Subscribe to my Patreon, wherein the only thing I do is edit "morning zoo" radio sound effects into the Why Theory podcast
reading the r/AskPhysics reddit is reminding me of that stupid moment in critical theory where folks feigned conversance with quantum physics to make ill-founded claims about ontology. i just read a post where some guy asked "how do bicycles not fundamentally violate the laws of thermodynamics?"
November 9, 2025 at 4:16 AM
reading the r/AskPhysics reddit is reminding me of that stupid moment in critical theory where folks feigned conversance with quantum physics to make ill-founded claims about ontology. i just read a post where some guy asked "how do bicycles not fundamentally violate the laws of thermodynamics?"
Reposted by Robert McDonald
ice cubes are ridiculous. like yeah lemme just get a piece of water
November 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
ice cubes are ridiculous. like yeah lemme just get a piece of water
(Law-abiding David Byrne): 🎵Keep intact the house🎵
November 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
(Law-abiding David Byrne): 🎵Keep intact the house🎵
Reposted by Robert McDonald
UNC just manhandled Kansas in the 2nd half. My goodness you love to see it.
a mascot for north carolina is wearing a blue jersey with the number 1 on it
Alt: a mascot for north carolina is wearing a blue jersey with the number 1 on it
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:06 AM
UNC just manhandled Kansas in the 2nd half. My goodness you love to see it.
"john carpenter"? okay so we're supposed to believe a guy who builds bathrooms for a living can also direct films? gimme a break
John Carpenter says he's working on a sequel to 'The Thing'
"We'll see"
"We'll see"
November 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
"john carpenter"? okay so we're supposed to believe a guy who builds bathrooms for a living can also direct films? gimme a break
the face i make when i go to the "Change Your Password" page and I get a warning that it's time to change my password, and that I should go to the "Change Your Password" page
November 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
the face i make when i go to the "Change Your Password" page and I get a warning that it's time to change my password, and that I should go to the "Change Your Password" page
Reposted by Robert McDonald
this is what i fear i look like when i ask my students if they have any questions about the reading
November 3, 2025 at 1:18 AM
this is what i fear i look like when i ask my students if they have any questions about the reading
this is what i fear i look like when i ask my students if they have any questions about the reading
November 3, 2025 at 1:18 AM
this is what i fear i look like when i ask my students if they have any questions about the reading
hey man nice Sense. be a shame if you had to...Stop Making it
November 2, 2025 at 4:54 PM
hey man nice Sense. be a shame if you had to...Stop Making it
I hate Lacanian Halloween. What do you mean you're the signifier of the lack in the Other
October 31, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I hate Lacanian Halloween. What do you mean you're the signifier of the lack in the Other
When you remember that Mark Ruffalo is in Collateral
a man with long hair is sitting in front of a laptop computer
Alt: a man with long hair is sitting in front of a laptop computer
media.tenor.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:18 PM
When you remember that Mark Ruffalo is in Collateral
Just got out of Swan Lake, by the KC Ballet. Great show! Why didn't anyone tell me it was about the maternal phallus? Act I is basically "I'll give you a gun if you give me a son"
October 18, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Just got out of Swan Lake, by the KC Ballet. Great show! Why didn't anyone tell me it was about the maternal phallus? Act I is basically "I'll give you a gun if you give me a son"
verbal chiasmus of the decade, no question
What I don't have in experience, I make up for in integrity.
And what Andrew Cuomo lacks in integrity, he could never make up for with experience.
And what Andrew Cuomo lacks in integrity, he could never make up for with experience.
October 17, 2025 at 12:59 AM
verbal chiasmus of the decade, no question
Vulcan Boss Tweed: The needs of the Tammany outweigh the needs of the few
October 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Vulcan Boss Tweed: The needs of the Tammany outweigh the needs of the few
Reposted by Robert McDonald
Men are from Mars. Women don't like the Vehicle
October 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Men are from Mars. Women don't like the Vehicle
I need suggestions for a Halloween costume so I can put my stupid mustache to good use. I grew it out while I was in the hospital in August and it deserves a proper sendoff
October 16, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I need suggestions for a Halloween costume so I can put my stupid mustache to good use. I grew it out while I was in the hospital in August and it deserves a proper sendoff
We went to a book-reading/chill out hangout event last evening at a local park, and the social media person for KC Parks & Rec asked folks to show what they're reading. I told her "This...is a bit of a rough one, I'm sorry"
The book in question:
The book in question:
October 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
We went to a book-reading/chill out hangout event last evening at a local park, and the social media person for KC Parks & Rec asked folks to show what they're reading. I told her "This...is a bit of a rough one, I'm sorry"
The book in question:
The book in question:
Reposted by Robert McDonald
Reposted by Robert McDonald
After 437 days in the rescue, senior beagle boy BUDDY found his forever people!
October 13, 2025 at 9:32 PM
After 437 days in the rescue, senior beagle boy BUDDY found his forever people!
Academics (esp. rhetoric/comm folks), I'm running a professionalization seminar on disciplinary service. I've noticed my grad students are eager volunteers inside our department, but clueless about the discipline (reviewing, chairing, committees). If you have any, I'd love to pass along your advice!
October 13, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Academics (esp. rhetoric/comm folks), I'm running a professionalization seminar on disciplinary service. I've noticed my grad students are eager volunteers inside our department, but clueless about the discipline (reviewing, chairing, committees). If you have any, I'd love to pass along your advice!
an outstanding entry in the "which italian is worthy of an american holiday"
October 13, 2025 at 8:23 PM
an outstanding entry in the "which italian is worthy of an american holiday"
Reposted by Robert McDonald
name an italian more worthy of an american holiday than columbus
October 13, 2025 at 12:49 PM
name an italian more worthy of an american holiday than columbus
The Rock's new movie was originally titled just "The Machine" until this guy got his hands on it
October 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The Rock's new movie was originally titled just "The Machine" until this guy got his hands on it