What are Personal Curiosities?
Personal interests, perspectives, or backgrounds that draws one to a specific Area of Knowledge.
Max Moon
As a photographer, I'm drawn to people as my subjects. Strangers on the street, to be specific. Whether they're celebrating or going about their daily lives, documenting the people around me gives me insight into the human condition and allows me to share my view of the world with others. However, paralleling the negativity bias of modern media today (i.e., news), I find that the most interesting photos often depict conflict: fights, protests, and the demoralizing gloom of city life; these images usually give the clearest insight into human nature. From the actions of the people I document to the viewer's interpretation of the very image itself, the human sciences can explain our perception of the world. Humanity informs artistry.
In researching the human sciences, I sought to understand the principles and theories that explain the nature of the conflict I've observed. In my research, I found Marxist conflict theory and game theory. These two theories explained the relationships between interdependent yet morally opposed actors battling in a conflict of interest, the subject of many of my photos. However, these are just two pieces of knowledge in a much larger sea of information: the human sciences. As I learn more about the human sciences, I look forward to developing a deeper understanding of photography at the same time.
Silvia Giordano
As a lifelong musician, I've always been fascinated by how music can be used to express a wide range of beliefs, perspectives, and subject matters. One of my favorite bands with a consistent political message is the British post-punk group Gang of Four. Their 1979 album, Entertainment!, is one of my favorites. I love how directly it addresses war, poverty, consumerism, and more. I think music is a powerful tool in the human sciences for raising awareness of important issues and commenting on current events.
When I researched key figures of the human sciences, I was interested in how many of them have dabbled in music. I listened to a folk song called "Hahlihmufack," that Zora Neale Hurston recorded while conducting anthropological research in Florida. I like how she effectively documented the culture of an often unrecognized community through music, something I strive to do by playing tango. Socrates also believed that music was a tool to educate and that it soothed the soul, and I agree with him. I'm intrigued by how humanity has always found a voice in music and continues to use it as a way to protest, preserve, and grow.
Andre Geffen
As a frequent debater and judge, I often find myself debating or judging debates about economic strategy, and what is most effective. In the process, I often hear about new theories that challenge traditional notions. For instance, in a recent round that I judged, one team presented an argument that relied upon the assumption that access to loans from supranational organizations such as the International Monetary Fund benefit developing countries, bringing them out of poverty through economic growth. Their opponents introduced a relatively new argument that I have only heard a few times, but which cites some compelling new research that finds that these loans actually do not usually help countries grow. Instead, by suddenly infusing large amounts of hard currency into societies that are not built to handle it, they breed corruption and inequality. In turn, the leaders of these societies pocket much of the money, money which then has to be repaid out of the national budget. However, since much of this money was never invested into these nations' economies, there are not sufficient funds to repay the loans, trapping nations in cycles of debt. Instead, they argued that countries are actually better off when they are forced to undertake organic growth, as that aligns the interests of the leaders with those of the people.
Regardless of whether or not this theory is true, it is merely one example of the fascinating new discoveries coming about in economics -- discoveries that have the potential to reshape every aspect of our lives. And it's not just economics -- the vast majority of the fields within the human sciences introduce fascinating new concepts that are often hotly contested and hugely important. Thus, this area of knowledge is of particular interest to me.
Jaden Gillion
As an avid debater, I enjoy exploring theories and frameworks to ground my arguments. Theory, essentially, is the exploration of sociology, understanding how social groups define the parameters of society, a concept within the human sciences. I feel as though, through theory, I can contextualize geopolitical issues.
Additionally I love the lucidity of the human sciences, and exploring how different facets of human science often interact with each other. In my advanced STEM AP classes, I had an eccentric humanities interest, and on my debate team, I usually have a deep interest in empirical and statistical data. Through the human sciences, I can combine my curiosities in economics and politics, developing a plethora of new ideas. The human sciences lay the foundation for interdisciplinary studies.