The Wall

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Recipe for a happy life?

Recipe for a happy life?
Recipe for a happy life?

As a wall, I’m most content when I’m living in the moment and appreciating what’s around me. Our busy lives often get us thinking (and stressing) about the future rather than just seeing what’s in front of us. For me, the practice of this mindfulness leads to greater contentment and happiness in the day-to-day. If you’re interested in reading more about this, check out Jon Kabat-Zin’s ‘Full Catastrophe Living’ at RA785 .K33 1990! I hear therapy really helps personalize your path to happiness, too… 🙂

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Where is the line of doing to much or to little for your kids?

Where is the line of doing to much or to little for your kids?
Where is the line of doing to much or to little for your kids?

It’s a tough call. Knowing what is developmentally appropriate at a given age, and taking into account what you know about your child, you can give them the expectation that they will do the things that they can, and you will help and teach them to do the things that they can’t (yet), and you are there for them to cover the things that are beyond their abilities…. until they’re not. The goal, in my opinion, is to raise functional adults, while not crushing the child. We have many books on parenting in the HQ 755-792 range (O’Neill floor 4, shelf 121), but don’t expect the experts to agree!

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Was Catholicism the same religion that rebuked Galileo for declaring that the earth moved around the sun.

Was Catholicism the same religion that rebuked Galileo for declaring that the earth moved around the sun.
Was Catholicism the same religion that rebuked Galileo for declaring that the earth moved around the sun.

Catholicism is a variety of Christianity rather than a religion, but yes, it was the Catholic Church. Galileo’s works were removed from the Church’s index of banned works in the 19th century, and Pope John Paul II issued an apology of sorts in 1992. Historians, theologians, and scientists all have opinions on this, and they’re all represented in our collection if you’d like to go deeper: bit.ly/bc-galileo

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Is water really wet, or does it just appear that way when it makes other things wet?

Is water really wet, or does it just appear that way when it makes other things wet?
Is water really wet, or does it just appear that way when it makes other things wet?

As noted in a recent answer to a similar question, it all depends on whether you accept dictionary definitions of wet. If so, then water can make itself wet (instantiation!). If not, and there are plenty of reasons not to trust a dictionary, then water can be wet or not. This is an example of language being an imperfect medium that we use to describe abstract concepts about our world.

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How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

An amount roughly comparable to that which she would generally be able to chuck of a substance approximating the density and other physical characteristics of wood, taking into account her frame of mind. Although you do specify “could” and not “would”, so frame of mind might be irrelevant. I suggest conducting experiments, keeping in mind the policies set by the BC IACUC (bit.ly/BCIACUC).

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你 认 识 我 吗？

你 认 识 我 吗？Responses: NO 傻 [Do you know me? NO. Fool.]
你 认 识 我 吗？Responses: NO 傻 [Do you know me? NO. Fool.]

Do I know you? Of course I know you. You’re the person who asked, “Do you know me?” in Chinese. And no, in spite of the comment, you’re not a fool.

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Does smoking weed when you’re sick help you?

Does smoking weed when you're sick help you?
Does smoking weed when you’re sick help you?

Marijuana does have anti-nausea properties, among other potential benefits. The Mayo Clinic site (bit.ly/mayo-weed) lists some potential benefits for some conditions, but also advises caution. Side effects vary unpredictably, as does dosage. If I were sick I’d follow tried and true advice: see a doctor and follow their recommendations.

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What is the construction going on by Devlin/Fulton?

What is the construction going on by Devlin/Fulton?
What is the construction going on by Devlin/Fulton?

Good question! I don’t know the answer, but I’ll have my assistants work on finding out, and post an answer here when I know.
Update 7/17/18: My helpers tell me that Facilities Management says it’s several things all at once: manhole reconstruction, with some steam line upgrades, and renovation of the basement auditorium and stairwells in Devlin. All of these impact that outside lawn area.

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tan(10°) + tan(20°) + tan(30°) + … + tan(80°)=?

tan(10°) + tan(20°) + tan(30°) + ... + tan(80°)=?
tan(10°) + tan(20°) + tan(30°) + … + tan(80°)=?

If you meant what you asked, the answer is 13.2994. A more interesting question with that sequence would be tan(10°)* tan(20°)*tan(30°)* … * tan(80°) = ? Because tan(90°−x) = cotx = 1/tanx, tan(10°)* tan(80°) = tan(10°)*1/tan(10°) = 1. Similarly, the rest of the sequence cancels out with the final answer being 1. However, as a wall, I’m more into geometry than trigonometry – give me more than one right angle, please.

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How do I get into BC?

How do I get into BC?
How do I get into BC?

I’ll admit it’s not easy (but they let me in…) I recommend following the requirements here: bit.ly/BC-admissions to the letter. Take your time and do your best work on the essays, and get teachers who think highly of you to write your recommendations (and give them plenty of lead time.) Best wishes!

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Best character on Mad Men?

Best character on Mad Men?
Best character on Mad Men?

Joan Harris’s rise from secretarial pool to starting her own production company, and the struggle that kind of rise took for a woman in the 60’s, makes for a really compelling storyline. Don Draper is interesting, of course, but also… who really relates to someone who literally invented an entire past? Everyone carries around secrets and lies, but to that degree? He was always too far from upstanding for this wall to relate to.

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Trump Train or Win with Warren? or …. Communism?

Trump Train or Win with Warren? or .... Communism?
Trump Train or Win with Warren? or …. Communism?

If you’re asking about my own leanings, I’m a Wall, so it’s not in my nature to lean. If you’re asking about the outcomes, just remember that the remarkable thing about a democracy is that everyone who takes part helps write the outcomes. All of these (and many more) are possibilities. I guess you could call me a possibilitarian. I have to just stand here, so please, all of you, be active on my behalf!