iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 6h

Welp, as a San Diego, seeing Lord Farquaad represented by our President wasn't on my bingo card, even though it absolutely should have been by this point. #SanDiego #WhatTheHell

static.klipy.com

Lord Farquaad: Some Of You May Die

ALT: Lord Farquaad: Some Of You May Die

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 6h

Welp, as a San Diego, seeing Lord Farquaad represented by our President wasn't on my bingo card, even though it absolutely should have been by this point. #SanDiego #WhatTheHell

static.klipy.com

Lord Farquaad: Some Of You May Die

ALT: Lord Farquaad: Some Of You May Die

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

since they can't critically think or imagine possibilities beyond what we have seen, lacking the ability to see beyond the scope of what we know to know that there may be better ways out there. (35/35) #AcademicSky

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

After all, it's clear that some folks have never taken a social science or humanities class, and if they did, they certainly skipped too many classes and didn't do the reading, (34/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

so perhaps we talk about why the humanities and social sciences are important to imagine a world better than what we know. (33/35) #TalkAboutHumanities #TalkAboutSocialScienc

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

And quite frankly, without the humanities, without looking at the social sciences, we don't have a society, and at the end of the day, your profit will mean nothing if there is no humanity to exist, (32/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

So no, these things aren't instilled at a young age for all; otherwise, we wouldn't even have to have these conversations. We would understand the importance of the humanities and social sciences. And this is so much more than just dollars and profit. This is about humanity. (31/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Yet, so many are lacking the social science and humanities-based skills to understand the importance of these institutional connections and responsibilities. (30/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Funny enough, the public schools that so many folks use for their children are funded by taxpayer dollars. As are the roads you drive on. (29/35) #PublicEducation

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

And some of you instead would rather exhibit monstrous behavior reflective of the creations in books rather than the humans trying to warn us of the problems. (28/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

If taxpayers are going to pay for this, I'm okay with that because it means we are developing beautiful art, literacy, cultural connections, and creation. But, let's be real. It isn't just about taxpayers here. It's about humanity. (27/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

And here's the thing: if taxpayers are going to pay for this, I'm okay with that, because then we're smarter, more prepared, rigorously challenged, and understand what empirical data is. (26/35) #HigherEd

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

My own work has been on education, looking at how collaboration contributes to a sense of connection, which is immensely important to humanity, showcased not just through data, but also through creativity. (25/35) #EduSky

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I also have the training to see why, for example, housing is expensive, or the reason for small business support or buying local. (24/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Having worked with kids and been able to read empirically grounded literature due to social science training, I also know that young children often exhibit higher levels of imagination, which means they can see the beauty and hope in the world in ways that we often forget later in life. (23/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

As an interdisciplinary scholar, I have worked for many years to develop skills for both creative endeavors and empirical research, to understand possibilities through hope and imagination. (22/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

without placing blame on any one individual, though individuals do have responsibility, and see how and why we need stronger systems. (21/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

For example, as an interdisciplinary scholar, I can see the patterns around my disabled neighbors, friends, and family, and see the ways they have been dismissed in the medical system, something many people experience, (20/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

We engage in a rigorous study of what it means to be human, how to navigate and engage in the institutions of our world, what is shaped by these behaviors, and how this shapes our behaviors. (19/35) #TalkAboutSocialSciences

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

So no, it isn't some "fluffy" explanation of the social sciences, in the sense that it's just feelings and hearts and rainbows. (18/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The social sciences give you skills to also critically think, including comprehension skills to look at data, such as state standards, and see how they expect us to be able to trace the philosophical lineage of U.S. ideologies to democratic foundations. (17/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Why? Because we engage with human decisions, behaviors, and interactions, and how we interact with our social world, institutions, and structures. We look at institutions and behaviors and use empirical data to help us understand what is happening in the world. (16/35) #Sociology

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

This means that we can understand patterns and behaviors. The economists you praise are social scientists, as are the political scientists, and yes, sociologists are too. (15/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Remember elementary school? Where we were taught to ask a question, develop a hypothesis, collect data, evaluate it, and analyze? Yeah, we do that in the social sciences. (14/35) #SocialSciences

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Know what sits in the humanities? History, music, writing, acting, religion, and more. And the social sciences aren't simply to "develop hope" or love. My intention was to highlight the byproduct of that. The social sciences engage in scientific inquiry. (13/35) #Humanities

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The humanities allow us to understand theology and look at the ways Jesus absolutely would not have advocated for this. Alas, some folks clearly skipped the humanities. Because the humanities give us cultural literacy, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate. (12/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

We are all human beings with human experiences, and the humanities allow us to understand that instead of being a wretched human being who somehow thinks their family condition and financial profit are more important than their neighbors'. (11/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The humanities allow you to critically think and understand that it is valuable and important, especially if you claim to be a "proud citizen." (10/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The humanities have given us philosophy, which, despite what the news has said, impacts all of us because we all have a philosophical stance, and philosophy is what helped shape scientific inquiry and questioning, even the U.S. Constitution. (9/35) #TalkAboutHumanities

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The humanities have paved the way for your ability to read and be excited, or nervous and anxious, when reading a book. (8/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

With that, the humanities are not just "love." They are beautiful creations, like paintings and literature. The humanities help you look at a painting made by Picasso and appreciate it, or critique it. (7/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Some of you are only motivated by greed, which is learned, and we absolutely critique that too, because we have developed critical thinking skills and rigorous methodologies to understand collective behavior and patterns. (6/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

understanding the way education is better for society, a wild concept in a country that breeds mentalities rooted in individualism and simple selfishness. (5/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Plus, that critical thinking might help you understand the way that societies allow you to see the importance of education beyond just your own gain, (4/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

We don't, actually, not really anyway, which critical thinking would tell you explains why people are in debt. And critical thinking is, in fact, a skill one develops through the humanities. (3/35) #CriticalThinking

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

My posting of this does not mean these fields do only that, though; these are byproducts of the process we go through when learning through the humanities and social sciences. One comment stated that we shouldn't expect taxpayers to pay for this. (2/35)

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I posted this and, within minutes, received a couple of comments elsewhere that are clearly trying to argue and clearly triggered some big feelings for folks who don't quite grasp what exactly we are doing in these fields. So, let me explain. (1/35) #TalkAboutHumanities #TalkAboutSocialSciences

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

We need the social sciences because they help us understand each other, they allow us to realize we have responsibility and we can make changes. The social sciences help us learn more, critically engage, and maintain hope that things can be better. #TalkAboutSocialSciences

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

We need the humanities because they show us how to love, they remind us of the beauty of being human, they help us create and give back to the world of people. The humanities help us believe in possibilities. #TalkAboutHumanities

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I have an interview for a tenure-track position at a community college. Cross your fingers for me! I'd love this job. ❤️🥹 #Teaching

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

When I was 5, I faced my first round of aggression at the hands of a (future) man. I would face multiple instances throughout my life. And I share a bit of my story here: www.charleneistryingtowrite.com/in-kindergar... #Writing #Women #Gender

charleneistryingtowrite.com

In Kindergarten

I was 5 when I faced my first bout of aggression at the hands of a future man. And, like most women, it was certainly not the last... Because, after all, we are reminded of the constant question: who ...

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thank you! I'm still very vulnerable at the moment with it, but I will certainly keep that in mind as I start finding my groove again 😊

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Thanks! And right now, not sure. I do plan on submitting a few to various magazines and journals, though.

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Yes. This is one I finished tonight. I'm going to try to complete a piece of flash fiction tomorrow, or at least another short story this weekend that I've started, but really want to finish.

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Instead of focusing on books, which I have plenty of ideas for but nearly not as much attention or focus, I've been trying to write short stories instead. So, regardless of how vague, here I share a sentence from it: "She's so pretty for something inanimate." #Writing #Writer #ShortStory

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I so wish I could find an academic job in Ireland or Spain. The two countries truly captured my heart when living in Málaga last year and traveling through Ireland on our way back to the U.S.

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Charlene H-M @charistrying2write.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Do you live in San Diego? If so, I'm conducting research on perspectives of street art, graffiti, and wheatpaste art and I am hoping to collect data on the topic. If you're interested, you can find... (1/2) #SanDiego #StreetArt #Research #Sociology

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