Religion in some form is a component of most societies of humans, so empathy and context for how others see the world is one thing. Theology and science are different ways of seeing and making sense of how the world works, but some of the big questions they ask are actually quite similar. And an awful lot of Western culture and history is directly influenced by religion and believers in it. More practically, it’s the explanation for why a lot of things at BC are the way they are.
You are a wise wall.
I guess I just don’t know how to live in a world where I either need to compromise my beliefs and desire for shared humanities, and eventually participate in the system that hurts others; or keep fighting and being told I was too naive and being hurt in the process. The ironic part is that the doctors in the hospitals don’t seem to understand or care about people who end up being involuntarily sent there in the process of fighting for what they believe in, and they can pathologize you with diagnoses and label it as individual problems. This seem to be a misuse of their power, a denial to acknowledge the wrong in the world, and ignorance toward the broader societal issue.
I can feel the pain you’re writing with and from. I’m not sure what to offer you in response. But I was just thinking of the concept ahimsa, the Sanskrit word for non-violence, is very influential in several Eastern religions. It goes beyond what we think of as non-violence to include a lot of philosophical and moral considerations, and how it works in one’s particular context varies. A very short suggested reading list: http://bit.ly/bc-ahimsa1, http://bit.ly/bc-ahimsa2. Other religious and philosophical traditions also have thoughts on the struggle to live a just life in a world which frequently isn’t.
Do you think the recent increase in COVID cases on campus will lead to students being required to self-quarantine for 2 weeks like Michigan State?
You know what I find ironic? One thing BC showed me is how easily someone can be treated as insane, vulnerable, or as a criminal, and locked up or deprived their self-autonomy. Then, the pandemic makes this a collective experience where everyone can be locked up and deprive self-autonomy so easily. I’m not against the quarantine policy, if anything, I’m more okay with being taken away freedom or self-autonomy for the greater common good than being told that others “believe it to be my best interests/for my safety” and make the judgment for me. And perhaps the pandemic will make the society think more about the individuals who are locked up, treated inhumanely, and suffer from inequity, now that it’s supposed to be a collective experience no one can turn away from.
Lots of campuses have responded to outbreaks by going all online for the semester, or for a while. The Cal State system has announced they’ll be primarily virtual through the spring also. My helpers are well-informed but don’t really know more than you do about what BC will or won’t do. It would be a wonderful thing if this terrible year increased the amount of empathy we have for others.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do? Possibly if you were human.
Vote!
Hey wall, When are you getting married? ?
I’ve previously confessed to my interest in the Lobby Door and would be open to taking it to the next level. It hinges on how Door feels about me. Sometimes I think Door gets tired of me hanging around all the time…
What’s the one thing about humans that you don’t like At all?
I’ll admit it’s making me a little nervous how many buildings I’ve known for decades have just vanished in the last year.
Hi Wall! You know how Holly Cross has a webpage ab their CARETEAM so students at least know who know about their situations/ crises/ hospitalizations?
Don’t you think it would alleviate lots of students’ stress and concern about privacy if BC somehow create a intro page for their BET team people as well. https://www.holycross.edu/campus-life/student-care-team/care-team-members. I guess I can communicate this myself when I get a chance, but I like how you wall provide answers and usually get a more concrete response from whoever you reach out to!
Thanks, I’ll send this idea along to the Office of Student Support and Outreach. If they respond, I’ll post an update.
Update 9/10: “Student Outreach and Support Services is grateful for your feedback, they are in the process of updating their websites and communication in general and will take your feedback into consideration.”
Why are guests limited to one per resident currently in the room this year?
Does it make a difference if you have four guests while one of your four man residents is gone?
Yes, I think so, because having indoor, extended exposure to people outside your rooming group is an additional risk. It’s not easy and I feel for you, but stay safe!
Will we witness the end of globalism in our lifetime?
I asked my cousin the 8-ball (they’re better at prognosticating), and they said “My sources say no.” You can try yourself if you were looking for a different answer, but I think I would concur. The economic, defense, legal, immigration, and cultural ties between nations are pretty strong. www.ask8ball.net/
Where is the BC Library Off-Site collection? Is it in a lair underneath the Chestnut Hill Reservoir?
Books and water don’t mix, so no, but I hope someone has a lair down there. There are three offsite locations. One is in the Kenny Cottle library on the Newton campus. One is a storage facility in Danvers MA. And one is actually in a non-public part of the first floor of O’Neill. That’s why delivery times are a little variable.
Hi wall! Do I get an award for having asked you more than 100+ questions since my freshman year?
Glad to know that I’m still here, healthy & alive, and am not kicked out by the institution, and am thriving. 🙂 Thx to the amazing ppl who answer questions and support students.
It hadn’t occurred to me to give out awards, but it’s nice to hear from you again and I’m glad you’re doing well. At least one of my helpers has said this is their favorite part of the job, so thanks very much for sharing your warm wishes.
Hi Wall! Can I declare a course pass/fail and then later change it back to letter grade half way through the semester?
The decision date is September 11 this academic year, and there are no changes after that point.
Came out. Thank you!
Sounds like it went well! I’m really happy for you and hope this can lead to your life being less stressful.
Desperately Seeking a Man
Hey Wall, how are doing? I can’t believe that we are now in September. It is so crazy and yet sad at the same time. Any who, I wanted to let you know that I have met a new man. And I like the way our relationship is going. We are building our friendship first. I am excited to see where this goes. I will keep you updated. Take care. ?
Yay! I’m so glad for you, and I hope things go better and better for you. I’m fine, thank you, and happy to see some students. (I’m working remotely right now, but they have a webcam I can look in on occasionally). Definitely keep me posted!
DO you think UCS is going to update their website?
IDK, but I’m happy to send your query along.
Do you think that lectors, who don’t belive in the corona virus, feel negative feelings, because they are forced to motivate students to weare masks and all the other crazy things?
Maybe, but it’s a question of fact, not belief. The Rona is real and doesn’t care how you feel.
What’s the traffic of this page?
Do you get more traffic than there are ppeople in BC?
I don’t have numbers for pageviews, but since I went all-online in March I’ve answered 222 questions.
MOUSE!!!
There is a tiny mouse running around the first floor/basement of Gasson… It’s super tiny and runs super fast!!!
I recommend you let the wall (and maybe the human beings) at UCS and OHP know since this tiny little thing doesn’t even need a key to get into their doors!
And I’d also really appreciate if someone can take this little thing outside. >.<
Mice at BC are nothing new. I’ve even seen some little mousie parties in O’Neill overnight. I alerted Facilities, who do a great job of keeping ahead of a major infestation, and got a response in under 5 minutes: “We created a work order for this request for our pest control team to take a walk through.” And I’ll chat with my Wall buddies and ask them to keep a lookout.
Hey wall! Do you know if the police record from BCPD stays on student’s record?
If you have encounter with them and got sent to student conducts, would that affect your public record or FBI check at all?
IDK. Here’s where you can find out: https://www.mass.gov/criminal-record-check-services. For a definitive answer to your second question(s) I would check with a criminal lawyer. Tip: don’t ask a nonprofessional for legal or medical advice.
But the professionals always lie (eg police, psychiatrists, etc) and hurt you. They’re the ones with power to document things from their perspectives and minimize the harm they do to you, while claiming the person to be lying and a lack of insight …… so they seem to be less trustworthy than the Answer Wall…
I haven’t been sure how to respond to this, because I do have a good deal of trust left in professionals, particularly library ones. But your experience is your experience and I honor that. I suspect you might get different results from a professional you were paying, like the lawyer I mentioned.
Then where is the sense of humanity left then? If the professionals were to only work for individuals who pay them and/or worry about losing the stakeholders who pay them more, wouldn’t that result in a misuse of power and a neglect of the powerless minors and the marginalized populations?
Yes. It was a more cynical response than I usually give, but the power dynamic you’re describing, where people in institutions often serve their own needs or the organization’s rather than those they are meant to serve, is sadly common. In a just world you wouldn’t need an advocate to deal with healers or protectors. In ours you sometimes do.
Are the signs marked “Emergency Exit” real.
These exits are all around O’Neil, and I hear people walking on the other side, yet all the ways of getting in say that an alarm will sound. Do you know which emergency exits are fake and which will sound an alarm?
All exits labeled “Emergency Exit” are indeed emergency exits. Not all emergency exits trigger alarms. However, they are still emergency exits and should be used accordingly.