Mike O’Connell
@moconnell.bsky.social
Author of Startling Figures: Encounters with American Catholic Fiction/ editor of Conversations with George Saunders/ co-editor of The Journal of David Foster Wallace Studies. Fellow at the Jesuit Media Lab.
Post a movie where you are from
November 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Post a movie where you are from
America in late 2025: “Every American must unite and condemn the President's calls for our murder.”
Joint Statement from Goodlander, Slotkin, Kelly, Crow, Deluzio, and Houlahan
November 20, 2025 at 10:56 PM
America in late 2025: “Every American must unite and condemn the President's calls for our murder.”
Thoughts on Frankenstein, Pluribus, and the new @themountaingoats.bsky.social album and Quan Barry novel
"The next thing you learn is how cold it can get at night"
Mini reviews of recent movies/ shows/ books/ music about loneliness and death! Plus bonus recommendations.
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Thoughts on Frankenstein, Pluribus, and the new @themountaingoats.bsky.social album and Quan Barry novel
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
Wishing a joyous 83rd birthday to the legendary Martin Scorsese!
November 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Wishing a joyous 83rd birthday to the legendary Martin Scorsese!
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 11, 2025 at 10:39 AM
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
Frankenstein review — if you want to watch Oscar Isaac be Victor Frankenstein in a really great movie…watch Ex Machina
November 8, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Frankenstein review — if you want to watch Oscar Isaac be Victor Frankenstein in a really great movie…watch Ex Machina
On some level, I’m always looking for works that capture the feel of the opening of The Stand. Pluribus episode 1 delivers
November 8, 2025 at 12:35 AM
On some level, I’m always looking for works that capture the feel of the opening of The Stand. Pluribus episode 1 delivers
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
ahhhh that one beautiful day when it felt like these people finally became a punchline rather than a threat, that the whole world could see these halfwits couldn't even organize a press conference let alone run a whole country
then 4 years later they're back failing to run the country again
then 4 years later they're back failing to run the country again
HAPPY FOUR SEASONS TOTAL LANDSCAPING DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
ahhhh that one beautiful day when it felt like these people finally became a punchline rather than a threat, that the whole world could see these halfwits couldn't even organize a press conference let alone run a whole country
then 4 years later they're back failing to run the country again
then 4 years later they're back failing to run the country again
Wrote about the 🌊 and collective online joy (and why AI sucks, and why the ability to correctly interpret a story matters)
On Understanding the Stories We Are Being Told
Or, What is the Social Internet For?
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Wrote about the 🌊 and collective online joy (and why AI sucks, and why the ability to correctly interpret a story matters)
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
If I had a shitload of money and wished to hasten the arrival of the Kingdom of God I would simply follow the clearly labeled instructions by housing immigrants, freeing prisoners, and so forth
At a fundamental level, we have to accept much of silicon valley has gone insane.
An ex-Intel CEO’s mission to build a Christian AI: ‘hasten the coming of Christ’s return’
Patrick Gelsinger, executive chairman of Gloo, has made it his mission to advance Christian principles in Silicon Valley
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
If I had a shitload of money and wished to hasten the arrival of the Kingdom of God I would simply follow the clearly labeled instructions by housing immigrants, freeing prisoners, and so forth
Great mail day, @sheaserrano.bsky.social !
October 27, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Great mail day, @sheaserrano.bsky.social !
In which I rank the stages of the writing process on a ten point scale
How It Feels To Write A Thing, On A Ten Point Scale
Conceiving of an Idea: 8/10
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
In which I rank the stages of the writing process on a ten point scale
I assume we’ll figure out a way to keep playing USC, but if we don’t, glad to get the final W. Go Irish ☘️
October 19, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I assume we’ll figure out a way to keep playing USC, but if we don’t, glad to get the final W. Go Irish ☘️
He’s right
Head to a protest today. I can almost promise you will feel less hopeless. That's exactly what they don't want. There are more of us than there are of them.
October 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM
He’s right
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
Shohei Ohtani is the first player with 3 homers and 10 strikeouts as a pitcher in a game
Reg or post
!!!
Reg or post
!!!
October 18, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Shohei Ohtani is the first player with 3 homers and 10 strikeouts as a pitcher in a game
Reg or post
!!!
Reg or post
!!!
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
damn. hoping it at least signifies something
It is a tale
Told by an idiot
Told by an idiot
October 10, 2025 at 4:09 AM
damn. hoping it at least signifies something
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
October 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
I’m leading a 4 week class in November on David Foster Wallace’s short stories through the 92nd St Y Roundtable. Join me! roundtable.org/live-courses...
Roundtable by The 92nd Street Y, New York — Live, Online Classes
Roundtable is live, in-the-moment online classes with respected and passionate experts who give you a place at the table to ask questions, join a discussion, and satisfy your curious mind.
roundtable.org
October 7, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I’m leading a 4 week class in November on David Foster Wallace’s short stories through the 92nd St Y Roundtable. Join me! roundtable.org/live-courses...
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
Pope Leo XIV today: "Brothers and sisters, those boats which hope to catch sight of a safe port, and those eyes filled with anguish and hope seeking to reach the shore, cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination!"
October 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Pope Leo XIV today: "Brothers and sisters, those boats which hope to catch sight of a safe port, and those eyes filled with anguish and hope seeking to reach the shore, cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination!"
Wrote about seeing Zach Bryan at the Big House
"We’re havin’ an all-night revival"
A dispatch from the largest ticketed concert in US history
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Wrote about seeing Zach Bryan at the Big House
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
Our 2026 DFW conference in Austin welcomes scholars and non-academics of all backgrounds. Our call for papers is now live: call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/cfp/2025/09/...
cfp | call for papers
call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu
September 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Our 2026 DFW conference in Austin welcomes scholars and non-academics of all backgrounds. Our call for papers is now live: call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/cfp/2025/09/...
An absolute icon
a man with a mustache is wearing a hat and a suit .
Alt: a man with a mustache is wearing a hat and a suit and smiling beguilingly (it’s Robert Redford as the Sundance Kid in Butch Cassidy and…)
media.tenor.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM
An absolute icon
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
This is such a no-brainer that the lack of a coordinated response feels deeply damning. A Democratic leadership team that can't mobilize an instant all-hands-on-deck effort on RFK Jr. isn't a leadership team at all.
I know Democrats are overwhelmed (or rudderless, if you are less charitable) by the sheer volume of Trump authoritarian moves, but I’d like to see them unified behind specific goals like “RFK Jr is a threat to public health and needs to go.”
August 28, 2025 at 3:42 AM
This is such a no-brainer that the lack of a coordinated response feels deeply damning. A Democratic leadership team that can't mobilize an instant all-hands-on-deck effort on RFK Jr. isn't a leadership team at all.
Reposted by Mike O’Connell
CFB Watch Grid, Week 1: Saint Origen and Cam Skattebo
WATCH GRID: The last shall be first
Everything has happened before. No one knows what will happen.
www.jasonkirk.fyi
August 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM
CFB Watch Grid, Week 1: Saint Origen and Cam Skattebo