The Wall

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First of all let me just say I love the wall! I stumbled onto it while searching a completely silly question..how many licks to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop..

from a childhood commercial.. I was gonna guess the answer to be 3..but in reading the outcome of so many tests.i have to ask… Did any of the licking machines have actual saliva in them? I believe our salive has a ph and bacteria that promote digestion and decomposition..seems like that’s a pretty good reason why the actual licks took less time ?? I would love to hear the answer

Much of the published literature is kinda lacking in discussion of details like that. But this 2013 study determined that ph was not as much of a factor as where on the pop the licking happens. https://bit.ly/bc-tp

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Why are there so many pedophiles everywhere?!

Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is a thing which seems to happen almost everywhere adults are in positions of authority or influence over children. Big organizations like the Boy Scouts and the Catholic Church can have very big problems with it, particularly if they try to conceal it. Here’s a study that takes a look at what we know and talks about how hard it is to know exactly how frequent it is: https://bit.ly/bc-csa

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When will our current course and grade be available again on AGORA? Just curious cause it’s been under maintenance for a while…

Are you using the new EagleApps version? I’ll check with my friends over in IT, but you can also call the help desk (tel: 617-552-4357) and they’ll let you know if there are system problems.

Update: Actually Student Services is who you want to talk to about this: 617-552-3300 or 1-800-294-0294 over the phone, and studentservices@bc.edu

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You know the question “If God is all good, why is there suffering in the world?” BC loves to discuss that question! I was just thinking that maybe BC should reframe the question to “If BC is a Catholic institution that loves God, why does it establish structure that creates and perpetuates suffering?” Maybe BC should think about whether the suffering comes from God, or the very institution itself that states it cares for social justice and works to alleviate suffering. Maybe they are actively creating endless suffering and injustice in this world while also calling its students, who suffer from these injustice, to then deal with the consequent suffering of what it creates

Hmm. More of a comment than a question. Large organizations of all kinds do tend to throw off some level of suffering, and you’re right that it’s a moral question for a Catholic university. You might be interested in reading some things about how universities came to be as they are after World War II. Geiger’s history of US higher ed (https://bit.ly/bc-he) is one take, while Dorn explores how different universities in different places have defined “the common good” (https://bit.ly/bc-he2). There’s lots more in the library catalog (https://bit.ly/bc-he3).

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Holiday Where is the best, secluded location in nature for a

For a…? Well, there are plenty of secluded places in nature, especially in less populous states. Thankfully, a few of those are nearby, and state parks and forests are a great mainstay for getaways. Maine (maine.gov/dacf/parks/about/state_parks.shtml), Vermont (vtstateparks.com) , and New Hampshire (nhstateparks.org/). Even Massachusetts has some pretty wild areas: mass.gov/visit-massachusetts-state-parks. One of my assistants says the Mohawk Trail State Forest out in Western Mass is under-visited. Of course, if it’s a boat ride you’re looking for, there’s a whole ocean a few miles to the east.

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I heard so many students feeling anxious about the new student insurance plan……

it’s not very nice of BC not offering too much explanation or dialogue with students then suddenly announce the decision. It’s not going to impact me that much since I can get insurance from my work or elsewhere, if I choose to, but I hate to see people suffer. 🙁

Sigh… Sometimes I’m so glad I’m a wall and don’t have to arrange insurance. Group plans are not easy to negotiate, and I’m sure the Office of Student Services did the best they could. If any students reading this have particular coverage issues you need addressed, you should contact the Office of Student Services at 617-552-3300 or 800-294-0294, or studentservices@bc.edu.

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The worries of a 21 year old

I am so incredibly terrified. I will graduate soon. My last year at BC was not the best. I struggled with depression, anxiety, and the complete inability to be hopeful and ambitious. I look around me and people have internships and job offers and they seem like they are all set for the next chapter in their life. Whereas, I continue to struggle with getting to the finish line. I know I can do it but I don’t know what’s next. Will I even get a job? Will I be successful?

If anxiety were a crop, this would have been a bumper year. We’re all off-kilter, even the people you’re comparing yourself to. I have faith that you’ll find your calling and excel at at. Remember, success isn’t in comparison to others; it’s a measure only of movement towards your own own goals and dreams. Toni Morrison published her first book at the age of 39, and Maya Angelou at 41. You have time to do what you’re called to do. (Meanwhile, I hope you’re not overlooking the help you can get at the career center! http://bit.ly/BC-career)