Mark Helmsing

Professor of education, history, & folklore. Reconciling Societal Divisions & Memories Lab. Researching how we feel about the past & how the past makes us feel

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

Have been fully immersed lately in teaching some of the best summer term classes I’ve had with @MasonCEHD students

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

Here for a Salem/Pearl crossover

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

The litmus test for knowing if you are at a cool Halloween party this year is if someone shows up as Pearl

[Rūta Kazlauskaitė @RKazlauskaite]

Why we need to talk about virtual reality in history education. 🧵1/22

No, history students will not go back in time in the metaverse.

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

(Stay through the end credits)

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

What a stellar year it’s been for terrifying smiles in horror cinema. Need less content about Megan and more about Pearl

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

@mariekheath So sad it didn’t make it to you in time. Also wish we both could have gone!

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

Monday night is the re-scheduled concert for Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats at the Anthem in DC. Show starts at 8:00. I can’t make it, but will gladly give my ticket to someone who wants it for free. Message me if interested.

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

Claimed. Thanks, all, for the interest. Hope it’s a good show.

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

@BarredinDC

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

Spent the weekend in the Shenandoah Valley for a conference at JMU (beautiful campus) and did some history and folklore fieldwork in the Valley. Also took some fall/scary season selfies.

[Mindy ChenWishart @MindyWishart]

English is so weird!
'sanction' always tripped me up.

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

Finally, soaps and Halloween elicit one peculiar reaction from the non-fan: “that’s still running? She’s still on this? He’s still alive?” The incredulity is only matched by the pleasure of continuity.

🎃⌛️

/11

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

Lots of complaints that Halloween Ends is a soap opera (derogatory), despite ignoring that what makes the Halloween universe great is that it’s always been a soap opera, perhaps a “horror opera” if that is a thing

1/

[Mark Helmsing @markhelmsing]

The chronology of a soap is measured by its head writers. As the World Turns had the Phillips Years, the Dobson Years, the Marland Years. Halloween is the same.

/10