Carolyn Dicey Jennings
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cdj.bsky.social
Carolyn Dicey Jennings
@cdj.bsky.social
2.6K followers 790 following 560 posts
I study how we direct our own minds through attention and its impact on things like perception, action, & consciousness, now extending to collective attention and digital technologies. PI at philosophydata.org, Editor-in-Chief at philosophymindscience.org
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cdj.bsky.social
This stress is affecting everyone.
January 7, 2026 at 3:48 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Bluesky wrapped is a fun exercise. I posted much less in the past few months, but in good news I have been spending more time with the “neighborhood mayor.” Mornings a bit busy now with intense ear scratching sessions. Hard to post given demands of my new position

www.madebyolof.com/bluesky-wrap...
A photo of a cat on my lap looking curiously out into the distance. Unfortunately I am not currently scratching his ears in this photo which means I am close to getting a small bite of disapproval.
December 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Yeah, fair. I couldn’t find the full recipe online, but here it is.
Photo of Dishoom’s old fashioned recipe
December 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
cdj.bsky.social
The Philosophy Department at #UCMerced hosted its first public talk in the new downtown space with Dr. Kaity Creasy’s “How to Be Lonely.” Dr. Creasy dissected different forms of loneliness and argued for its value in our lives, despite its challenges. Fascinating talk, great space.
A photo of Dr. Kaity Creasy giving a talk A photo of Dr. Kaity Creasy giving a talk A photo of Dr. Kaity Creasy giving a talk
December 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
cdj.bsky.social
If you are in the Central Valley you may want to check out these talks next week on loneliness by Dr. Kaity Creasy. One will be in downtown Merced and open to the public (Thursday 12/4 @ 6 pm), the other on campus at #UCMerced (Friday 12/5 @ 3:30 pm). Please share with those who may be interested!
Kaitlyn Creasy (CSU San Bernardino) How to be Lonely UC Merced on Main: 1635 M Street Thursday, December 4, 6-7pm Everyone experiences loneliness at some time or other. Even so, some of the situations in which we find ourselves lonely can surprise us. While we might expect to feel lonely in a room full of strangers, for example, we typically don't expect to feel lonely in the presence of loved ones. To make better sense of the wide variety of circumstances in which loneliness may arise, I begin by exploring several distinct causes of loneliness with the help of concrete (including real-life) examples. Then, after reflecting on the features of human existence to which loneliness calls our attention, I will suggest that loneliness, although painful, may have positive potential. As an experience that can reveal what and who matters to us, loneliness may offer opportunities for self-knowledge and meaningful personal transformation, depending on how we relate to it. Kaitlyn Creasy (CSU San Bernardino) Loneliness and Emotional Resonance COB 129 Friday, December 5, 3:30-5pm Loneliness is a painful feeling that arises when our desires for recognition or connection are not fulfilled (or are perceived to be unfulfilled). But there are many forms of meaningful recognition and countless forms of connection that we may need or desire, not all of which can be offered even by those who love and appreciate us. Building on my work on the importance of particular recognition and affirmation for assuaging loneliness, in this talk I explore what I call deep forms of recognition, affirmation, and personal connection, forms that necessarily involve emotional engagement or experiences of emotional resonance. I then contend that these deep forms of recognition, affirmation, and connection, when present, play a distinctive role in the amelioration of loneliness: they allow the individual to feel more at home in her world, in part by allowing her to make (shared) sense of it. Finally, I show that attending to certain of the conditions that make these forms of recognition, affirmation, and connection possible-e.g., shared forms of life and complementary sensibilities between individuals helps us make sense of cases of loneliness tied to the presence or absence of particular empirical others.
November 28, 2025 at 5:45 PM
cdj.bsky.social
I found this beautiful girl on the street 11 years ago. Much floofier and more relaxed now.
Large German shepherd husky mix looking at me, hungry and desperate German shepherd husky mix sitting on a bed
November 23, 2025 at 11:04 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Is this the right time to show you the cool wine glasses my friend bought for me?
A wine glass (with Red Shift by Abbots Passage) lit from below with a glass shark visible inside Another image of the shark glass, but in more standard lighting conditions
November 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Princeton is pretty…who knew?
A photo of someone taking a photo of a tree with beautifully changing leaves in the light A grand looking building with trees in front of it, some of which are changing Another building, more trees Building, trees
October 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Incredible. philsci-archive.pitt.edu/11195/1/Mind...
Screenshot of text from link, starting with “it is mind-numbingly repetitive”
October 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
cdj.bsky.social
People really brought positive energy and a creative spirit to this protest in a small town in a purple part of the state
Protester in a frog costume holding hands with a local celebrity in Merced Person in a shark costume with a sign that reads “scary antifa” A protester holding a one piece flag chatting with someone in a dinosaur costume A bagpipe player in early American wear
October 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Biggest protest I have seen in Merced, and with more honking from cars #nokings
October 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
cdj.bsky.social
I’ve heard it said that the people united will never be defeated #nokings
A poster that reads “the people” with a bar under it, all if which is over a nokings crown with a dollar sign inside (the people over kings). People is glittery. A poster that reads “ideas” with a bar under it, all if which is over a cartoon gun (ideas over guns). Ideas is in glitter.
October 17, 2025 at 10:27 PM
cdj.bsky.social
(From this www.reddit.com/r/funnygifs/...)
October 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
cdj.bsky.social
The daily grind
A photo showing a cat voluntarily leaping into a pen full of puppies that includes the text “logging on” A photo showing a cat covered in puppies, with one pulling its tail, that includes the text “checking the news” A photo showing a cat’s head emerging from the ball of puppies even though one seems to have its ear that includes the text “checking the apps” A photo showing a cat escaping the puppies that includes the text “logging off”
October 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Luckily, six months seems like it has been enough time for our other dog to heal, and she has new friendships with several of our neighbors and their dogs. Life moves on thankfully.
A large dog sitting on a dog bed surrounded by plants next to a window, looking peaceful.
October 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
cdj.bsky.social
We lost this perfect boy 6 months ago today. My sister drew his likeness, which makes him feel a little closer 🖤
A framed drawing of a dog on the top of a wooden bookshelf next to a photo album, an urn with a dog tag, and a small vase with hydrangea. The dog is looking to the right, mouth closed, as though calmly interested, and has a scruffy appearance.
October 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
cdj.bsky.social
TFW you find out your siblings have a more sophisticated/complex emotional palette than you do
A screenshot with three people’s texts: 1) I saw a post that your last five non-face emojis are your aesthetic: kiss emoji, tea emoji, chili pepper emoji, car emoji, black cat emoji. Ha ha ha ha (I love it). 2) an image of a fairy looking at you while mournfully holding a tissue followed by three stars emoji, caterpillar emoji, magic hat emoji, and white rabbit emoji. OK I see it lol. 3) red heart emoji, fingers crossed emoji, black heart emoji, thumbs up emoji, faceless sun emoji. Erm… (this last text is from me.)
September 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
cdj.bsky.social
If they are going to do this, I think they should address CEO political leanings first, just to show they are serious about equity 🙃
September 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Deeply disturbing. The faculty member in question has expertise in gender/sexuality and includes the topic as a focus in the course description. Indeed, much of youth literature has this topic. If students are not taught about this they will not have the tools to understand it, even if they disagree
September 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Will this do? It appears to be layers of flour tortillas alternated with chocolate frosting 😋 classic!
CHOCOLATE TORTILLAS SERVES 10 In the top of a double boiler combine the 6 6 ounces semisweet chocolate 2 cups sour cream 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar 4 8-inch flour tortillas Shaved chocolate ounces chocolate, I cup of the sour cream, and I tablespoon confectioners' sugar. Set the pan over simmering water and stir until the chocolate is melted and ingredients are thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and place pan into a bowl of cold water to cool mixture. On a serving plate place I tortilla. Frost top of tortilla with ‡ of the chocolate mixture, making sure chocolate mixture is spread very evenly. Place second tortilla on top of chocolate mixture and frost evenly with second 3 of chocolate mixture. Repeat layering and frosting procedure once more. End with tortilla on top. In a small bowl blend the remaining I cup sour cream and remaining 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar together well. Frost the top and sides of the tortilla stack with this mixture. Cover the completed tortilla stack with an inverted bowl large enough to cover the stack without touching the top or the sides. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Garnish the top of the stack with shaved chocolate and serve.
September 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
cdj.bsky.social
If you don’t like that, Noam, try one of the many other classic California-style dishes. I’ll admit that it’s both a little fancier and a little weirder than my taste. Broth appetizer with wedges of avocado at the bottom? 🤔
A list of California style dishes from the index, including brandy pie, caramelized oranges, chicken liver, chili, coffee, consommé, jalapeño mold, pate maison, quesadillas, and walnut roll. CALIFORNIA CONSOMMÉ SERVES 6-8 8 cups chicken broth 2 avocados, peeled and thinly sliced 2 lemons, thinly sliced 8 tablespoons sherry 1 cup chopped fresh parsley Heat the chicken broth to near boiling in a medium-sized saucepan. Place the thin slices of avocado about 4 of an avocado per person) and 2-3 lemon slices in the bottom of each soup bowl. Ladle the hot chicken broth over the avocados and lemons. Add i tablespoon of sherry to each serving and sprinkle parsley on the top. NOTE: This is a very light, especially attractive first-course soup that won't detract from the rest of the meal.
September 6, 2025 at 11:26 PM
cdj.bsky.social
“I think I’ve cooked most recipes in this cookbook. All very good.”

🙃
A screenshot of a review of the cookbook that reads as above. Five stars.
September 6, 2025 at 11:18 PM
cdj.bsky.social
I have discovered a truly unhinged quesadilla recipe: “2-3 tablespoons salt…Every 30 minutes, turn the tortillas over and salt the upturned side,…salting every 30 minutes for 3 hours…NOTE: This is an excellent appetizer for a Mexican dinner.” Bonus: avocado ring mold, best served with chicken salad
CALIFORNIA QUESADILLAS SERVES 8-10 12 flour tortillas & pound butter 2-3 tablespoons salt I cup grated Monterey Jack cheese I cup grated mozzarella cheese I 15-ounce jar sweet cherry peppers, seeded and chopped Spread tortillas with softened butter on both sides. Place on a clean counter top and salt individual tortillas on one side. Every 30 minutes, turn the tortillas over and salt the upturned side, rubbing a little more butter into the tortilla at the same time. Continue turning, buttering, and salting every 30 minutes for 3 hours. When ready to serve, spread the cheeses and sweet cherry peppers on top of each of the butter-covered tortillas, making an open-faced sandwich. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and broil for about 5-6 minutes. Broiler should be 4-5 inches from the tortillas. Remove from oven, cut into pie-shaped wedges, and serve at once. NOTE: This is an excellent appetizer for a Mexican dinner. The California Heritage cookbook by the Junior League of Pasadena AVOCADO RING MOLD 27 envelopes unflavored gelatin I cup water 3 ripe avocados I cup mayonnaise, preferably homemade (see Index) I cup sour cream 2 tablespoons grated green bell pepper 2 tablespoons grated onion 4 cup fresh lemon juice I teaspoon salt 4 teaspoon white pepper Dash Tabasco sauce I teaspoon Worcestershire sauce SERVES 8-10 Dissolve the gelatin in the cup of water, heating it gently over a double boiler. After it has dissolved, place the gelatin mixture over a large bowl filled with ice water. Stir until it is completely cool and starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove from the ice water bowl and set aside. In a medium bowl mash the avocados and add the other ingredients. Gently stir in the cooled gelatin mixture. Pour into an oiled If-quart ring mold. Cover the mold and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Unmold the salad on a serving platter. NOTE: The mold is delicious filled with Chicken Salad (see Index). This can be made a day ahead. If doubled, use 4z tablespoons of gelatin.
September 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
cdj.bsky.social
🌈
September 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
cdj.bsky.social
Nothing to see here, just a double rainbow and thunderstorm in September in an area of California that doesn’t normally get rain until November (our second storm since term started)

This has been California’s coolest summer for 30 years, and now we are in a “monsoon” weatherwest.com/archives/43494
September 2, 2025 at 2:09 PM