Jon
@thelitcritguy.bsky.social
author and recovering academic.
phd in gothic literature. writing on horror, utopia, the gothic nightmare of capitalism
CAPITALISM A HORROR STORY out now, working on a new book about HOUSES
phd in gothic literature. writing on horror, utopia, the gothic nightmare of capitalism
CAPITALISM A HORROR STORY out now, working on a new book about HOUSES
Pinned
book promises "horror theory"
look inside
it's reheated eighteenth century aesthetic philosophy again
look inside
it's reheated eighteenth century aesthetic philosophy again
February 1, 2026 at 4:23 PM
book promises "horror theory"
look inside
it's reheated eighteenth century aesthetic philosophy again
look inside
it's reheated eighteenth century aesthetic philosophy again
Reposted by Jon
folks!!!!!!!!! you heard it here first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7. @boneysoups.bsky.social, "The Red Sacrement" - Just magnificent, a Gothic delight of a novel that draws from Zola, Marx and Anne Rice to create something utterly thrilling. Haven't read a book so precisely crafted for me in AGES. 🧛 PRE-ORDER IT NOW 🧛
January 31, 2026 at 6:29 PM
folks!!!!!!!!! you heard it here first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reposted by Jon
As a side note, it’s funny to see so many of these emails with thirsty academics repeatedly enact Marx’s bit in the 1844 Manuscripts about the power of money. “Oh Mr Epstein, your house in New York is enormous and, unrelatedly, your questions at dinner were so intelligent, so insightful, so deep.”
![That which is for me through the medium of money - that for which I can pay (i.e., which money can buy) - that am I myself, the possessor of the money. The extent of the power of money is the extent of my power. Money's properties are my - the possessor's - properties and essential powers. Thus, what I am and am capable of is by no means determined by my individuality. I am ugly, but I can buy for myself the most beautiful of women.
Therefore I am not ugly, for the effect of ugliness - its deterrent power - is nullified by money. I, according to my individual characteristics, am lame, but money furnishes me with twenty-four feet.
Therefore I am not lame. I am bad, dishonest, unscrupulous, stupid; but money is honoured, and hence its possessor. Money is the supreme good, therefore its possessor is good. Money, besides, saves me the trouble of being dishonest: I am therefore presumed honest. I am brainless, but money is the real brain of all things and how then should its possessor be brainless? Besides, he can buy clever people for himself, and is he who has [In the manuscript: is. - Ed.] power over the clever not more clever than the clever? Do not I, who thanks to money am capable of all that the human heart longs for, possess all human capacities? Does not my money, therefore, transform all my incapacities into their contrary?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:myqic77tkmdhmaufgkvj43hr/bafkreidpuxbx764xh7vobavcnvs3v2lo5fnfi6dukfrmk3ygxmseznkyxi@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 4:05 PM
As a side note, it’s funny to see so many of these emails with thirsty academics repeatedly enact Marx’s bit in the 1844 Manuscripts about the power of money. “Oh Mr Epstein, your house in New York is enormous and, unrelatedly, your questions at dinner were so intelligent, so insightful, so deep.”
Reposted by Jon
2026 reading a thread 🧵
January 1, 2026 at 8:18 AM
2026 reading a thread 🧵
Reposted by Jon
Two books we used to talk through Frankenstein are Capitalism: A Horror Story by @thelitcritguy.bsky.social (from @horrorvanguard.bsky.social) and Skin Shows by Jack Halberstam, both excellent reference books for your horror theory library!
This week on @tendersubject.bsky.social, we are joined by comedian @feraljokes.bsky.social
and writer @raygonne.bsky.social to talk Frankenstein. We dissect the book and the 2025 film through queer and Marxist theory and get into why the film often let us down.
and writer @raygonne.bsky.social to talk Frankenstein. We dissect the book and the 2025 film through queer and Marxist theory and get into why the film often let us down.
January 27, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Two books we used to talk through Frankenstein are Capitalism: A Horror Story by @thelitcritguy.bsky.social (from @horrorvanguard.bsky.social) and Skin Shows by Jack Halberstam, both excellent reference books for your horror theory library!
Reposted by Jon
Two books we used to talk through Frankenstein are Capitalism: A Horror Story by @thelitcritguy.bsky.social (from @horrorvanguard.bsky.social) and Skin Shows by Jack Halberstam, both excellent reference books for your horror theory library!
This week on @tendersubject.bsky.social, we are joined by comedian @feraljokes.bsky.social
and writer @raygonne.bsky.social to talk Frankenstein. We dissect the book and the 2025 film through queer and Marxist theory and get into why the film often let us down.
and writer @raygonne.bsky.social to talk Frankenstein. We dissect the book and the 2025 film through queer and Marxist theory and get into why the film often let us down.
January 27, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Two books we used to talk through Frankenstein are Capitalism: A Horror Story by @thelitcritguy.bsky.social (from @horrorvanguard.bsky.social) and Skin Shows by Jack Halberstam, both excellent reference books for your horror theory library!
New post on two excellent novels that take on the representational problem of cinema: thehaunt.blog/2026/01/25/t...
January 25, 2026 at 8:52 PM
New post on two excellent novels that take on the representational problem of cinema: thehaunt.blog/2026/01/25/t...
"Capitalism a horror story" spotted in Mexico! (Thanks to @andrekanasiro.bsky.social for sending me this!)
January 25, 2026 at 11:09 AM
"Capitalism a horror story" spotted in Mexico! (Thanks to @andrekanasiro.bsky.social for sending me this!)
Reposted by Jon
hot tip: every Brecht poem hits insane right now
January 24, 2026 at 11:08 PM
hot tip: every Brecht poem hits insane right now
Reposted by Jon
I wrote a short essay for @lukeoneil47.bsky.social's Welcome To Hell World about Minneapolis' opposition to ICE.
www.welcometohellworld.com/there-is-no-...
www.welcometohellworld.com/there-is-no-...
There is no such thing as other people’s children
It is intolerable
www.welcometohellworld.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:53 PM
I wrote a short essay for @lukeoneil47.bsky.social's Welcome To Hell World about Minneapolis' opposition to ICE.
www.welcometohellworld.com/there-is-no-...
www.welcometohellworld.com/there-is-no-...
Reposted by Jon
A book that keeps becoming more and more relevant each day!
January 11, 2026 at 12:39 AM
A book that keeps becoming more and more relevant each day!
Reposted by Jon
"These men are evil in a biblical sense, as in actual demons from hell." prospect.org/2026/01/23/m...
Minneapolis Discovered Its Own Strength Fighting ICE Tyranny - The American Prospect
Trump’s goons thought they could push around a blue city. They came in for a nasty shock.
prospect.org
January 23, 2026 at 4:04 PM
"These men are evil in a biblical sense, as in actual demons from hell." prospect.org/2026/01/23/m...
Reposted by Jon
Yesterday a reporter asked me for comment about Minneapolis’ opposition to ICE. I got kind of worked up and sent way more than I should have. The piece is great—it’s in my prior post. But I wanted post my comments in full here:
January 23, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Yesterday a reporter asked me for comment about Minneapolis’ opposition to ICE. I got kind of worked up and sent way more than I should have. The piece is great—it’s in my prior post. But I wanted post my comments in full here:
Reposted by Jon
wrote about the much-deserved death knell of the world's worst architecture project for @thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/worl...
The Line, a Saudi Megaproject, Is Dead
It was always doomed to unravel, but the firms who lent their name to this folly should be held accountable.
www.thenation.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:35 PM
wrote about the much-deserved death knell of the world's worst architecture project for @thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/worl...
Reposted by Jon
NEW WRITING: On two excellent novels concerned with lost films, cinema as desiring production and the politics of film: www.patreon.com/posts/148611...
On The Representational Horror of Film | TheLitCritGuy
Get more from TheLitCritGuy on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:10 PM
NEW WRITING: On two excellent novels concerned with lost films, cinema as desiring production and the politics of film: www.patreon.com/posts/148611...
Reposted by Jon
I stopped writing about cybernetics, surveillance, recognition, and control society after the last two books and 4 articles because at this point Labour teaming up with Palantir via Oswald Mosley's grandson to build a panopticon says enough. The only rational thing to do with such toys is break them
Shabana Mahmood here, and the vibes are not getting better.
January 20, 2026 at 12:23 PM
I stopped writing about cybernetics, surveillance, recognition, and control society after the last two books and 4 articles because at this point Labour teaming up with Palantir via Oswald Mosley's grandson to build a panopticon says enough. The only rational thing to do with such toys is break them
Reposted by Jon
Have I sent you this before? youtu.be/LEBGoxDUhKE?...
Stay Down - A film about the horrors of workplace classism
YouTube video by The Social Mobility Foundation
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Have I sent you this before? youtu.be/LEBGoxDUhKE?...
Out in the world, scheming and planning
January 20, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Out in the world, scheming and planning
Reposted by Jon
3. Daniel Kehlmann, "The Director" - an incredible novel, fictionalising the life of legendary film director GW Pabst. A book scathing about the compromises and evil little lies we tell ourselves to stay safe under fascist politics, showcasing a world in which art doesn't (and can't) save anyone.
January 1, 2026 at 7:14 PM
3. Daniel Kehlmann, "The Director" - an incredible novel, fictionalising the life of legendary film director GW Pabst. A book scathing about the compromises and evil little lies we tell ourselves to stay safe under fascist politics, showcasing a world in which art doesn't (and can't) save anyone.
Reposted by Jon
1. Gretchen Felker-Martin, "Black Flame" - a novel of seething libidinal desire, curdled inward into repression so dense as to become self annihilation. Violent, gross and horny & also utterly fearless about connecting individual horrors to current politics. Typical GFM banger to start the year.
January 1, 2026 at 8:25 AM
1. Gretchen Felker-Martin, "Black Flame" - a novel of seething libidinal desire, curdled inward into repression so dense as to become self annihilation. Violent, gross and horny & also utterly fearless about connecting individual horrors to current politics. Typical GFM banger to start the year.
Reposted by Jon
NEW LEFT PAGE!!
Episode 99 - First Law Standalones Pt. 1: Back With a Revengeance
We return to the First Law in a 2 part special, going over revenge, violence, war, power, and material conditions!
shows.acast.com/the-left-pag...
Episode 99 - First Law Standalones Pt. 1: Back With a Revengeance
We return to the First Law in a 2 part special, going over revenge, violence, war, power, and material conditions!
shows.acast.com/the-left-pag...
January 19, 2026 at 5:53 PM
NEW LEFT PAGE!!
Episode 99 - First Law Standalones Pt. 1: Back With a Revengeance
We return to the First Law in a 2 part special, going over revenge, violence, war, power, and material conditions!
shows.acast.com/the-left-pag...
Episode 99 - First Law Standalones Pt. 1: Back With a Revengeance
We return to the First Law in a 2 part special, going over revenge, violence, war, power, and material conditions!
shows.acast.com/the-left-pag...
Reposted by Jon
We're back with phenomenal fantasy yet again! Going over the next three books, and we had so much to talk about that we even split it into 2 comprehensive parts!
Enjoy the first one as we get back into Abercrombie's fantasy and discuss "Best Served Cold"!
Enjoy the first one as we get back into Abercrombie's fantasy and discuss "Best Served Cold"!
NEW LEFT PAGE!!
Episode 99 - First Law Standalones Pt. 1: Back With a Revengeance
We return to the First Law in a 2 part special, going over revenge, violence, war, power, and material conditions!
shows.acast.com/the-left-pag...
Episode 99 - First Law Standalones Pt. 1: Back With a Revengeance
We return to the First Law in a 2 part special, going over revenge, violence, war, power, and material conditions!
shows.acast.com/the-left-pag...
January 19, 2026 at 5:56 PM
We're back with phenomenal fantasy yet again! Going over the next three books, and we had so much to talk about that we even split it into 2 comprehensive parts!
Enjoy the first one as we get back into Abercrombie's fantasy and discuss "Best Served Cold"!
Enjoy the first one as we get back into Abercrombie's fantasy and discuss "Best Served Cold"!
NEW WRITING: On two excellent novels concerned with lost films, cinema as desiring production and the politics of film: www.patreon.com/posts/148611...
On The Representational Horror of Film | TheLitCritGuy
Get more from TheLitCritGuy on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:10 PM
NEW WRITING: On two excellent novels concerned with lost films, cinema as desiring production and the politics of film: www.patreon.com/posts/148611...
Today's surgery recovery plan: writing a new book proposal.
January 18, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Today's surgery recovery plan: writing a new book proposal.
Reposted by Jon
My selection for best games 2025 are now for public consumption, as are the games themselves, which include titles from @interactivedreams.bsky.social, @nicedreamgames.com, and @foddy.net & company. Also Sinners, which is a video game according to rulings found in AGAB common law
60 - AGAB Game Of The Year Awards 2025: The Movie Sinners is GOTY
The annual event you've all been waiting for, you can finally find out which games last year were and were not haram.
soundcloud.com/agabpod/60-a...
The annual event you've all been waiting for, you can finally find out which games last year were and were not haram.
soundcloud.com/agabpod/60-a...
January 18, 2026 at 3:11 AM
My selection for best games 2025 are now for public consumption, as are the games themselves, which include titles from @interactivedreams.bsky.social, @nicedreamgames.com, and @foddy.net & company. Also Sinners, which is a video game according to rulings found in AGAB common law