The Wall

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What is the wall’s favorite fashion designer?

What is the wall's favorite fashion designer?
What is the wall’s favorite fashion designer?

As a Wall, I have very little practical need for fashion. But my librarian friends have told me that there’s a lot of library resources all about fashion that might help you find out your favorite fashion designer. https://bit.ly/fashionsources. I’ve also been told that fashion is about self-expression which means that I would probably lean towards clean and simple fashion designers since I find lines, glass, and minimalist color appealing (as you know I am in a committed relationship with the lobby doors and very much like their style).

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To celebrate Native American Heritage month, you recommend stories from Latin American indigenous authors?

To celebrate Native American Heritage month, you recommend stories from Latin American indigenous authors?
To celebrate Native American Heritage month, you recommend stories from Latin American indigenous authors?

I am following up with my library helpers to get you a good list of recommendations!

And here they are:
1. “I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman in Guatemala,” by Rigoberta Menchú and Elizabeth Burgos
2. Saints of the Household by Ari Tison, Lizards Hold the Sun by D.H. Trujillo, Almanac of the Dead by Leslie Marmon Silko
3. And check out the list from the Boston Public Library for books celebrating indigenous authors: https://bit.ly/bplindigenous

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What’s the best cure for a concussion?

What's the best cure for a concussion?
What’s the best cure for a concussion?

See a doctor, especially if you lost consciousness at all when you got it. Every case and every brain is different, but it will probably help to limit your exposure to things that make your brain work hard (light, noise, complex problem solving) for at least a few days. Here’s some detailed advice from the Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/3Z83oxP. Hope you feel better soon.

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Why did our country elect a convicted felon for president

Why did our country elect a convicted felon for president
Why did our country elect a convicted felon for president

I know that these are times full of questions for many people. I am just a Wall and have no answers but I do know that no matter what, or how each person is feeling right now, being there for each other, taking time to listen and be kind, can help in the midst of any confusion. There will be numerous articles and publications analyzing the election, and that might provide you more information as well.

One thought I had is Augustus's shout "I have restored the Republic," after establishing autocracy. For the Romans, the "Republic" was the public order-- not the system. I think the American ppl think of Democracy in the same way. Thus they vote for Trump bc he will restore the "public order/will of the ppl"-- the REAL Democracy.
One thought I had is Augustus’s shout “I have restored the Republic,” after establishing autocracy. For the Romans, the “Republic” was the public order– not the system. I think the American ppl think of Democracy in the same way. Thus they vote for Trump bc he will restore the “public order/will of the ppl”– the REAL Democracy.

The will of the people is a concept that autocrats of all ages have clothed themselves in. My Roman historian helper also wants me to point out that the “order” Augustus established was based on killing most of the people who still remembered how the old Republic ran and outliving the rest.

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What is Happy

What is Happy
What is Happy

Happy means different things to different folks. For me, “Happy” is the hustle and bustle of a busy campus and the hugging feeling I get from every Post-it note.

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Come see Pippin!

Come see Pippin!
Come see Pippin!

Ah! I wish I could, but being a wall, I can’t move from this spot. See the display on the other side of the lobby! I do hope everyone reading this goes and I can live vicariously. Details: events.bc.edu/event/pippin

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How do I resist procrastination?

How do I resist procrastination? I try every time I have a paper and nothing has stuck.
How do I resist procrastination? I try every time I have a paper and nothing has stuck.

One popular method is to use the Pomodoro technique. This means you set a timer for 25 minutes to do a task then take a short break. This approach keeps the engaged. Everyone’s brain works differently. It’s less about resisting procrastication than it is finding a way to get things done without too much stress. The Connors Family Learning Center provides academic coaching if you want more support. bit.ly/BC-connors

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Might one inquire as to whether the U.S. prison system might offer sanctuary for a homeless individual?

Might one inquire as to whether the U.S. prison system might offer sanctuary for a homeless individual? For it appears, upon reflection, that even solidary confinement might present a more palatable alternative that enduring the unspeakably odius atmosphere of an overheated, overcrowded "forced-triple" room. Indeed, one might content that the latter conditions more aptly resemble purgatory than the accommodations befitting a modern institution.
Might one inquire as to whether the U.S. prison system might offer sanctuary for a homeless individual? For it appears, upon reflection, that even solidary confinement might present a more palatable alternative that enduring the unspeakably odius atmosphere of an overheated, overcrowded “forced-triple” room. Indeed, one might content that the latter conditions more aptly resemble purgatory than the accommodations befitting a modern institution.

Homeless facilities are inadequate in Massachusetts, and prisons aren’t full, so I understand your question. When Boston abruptly closed the Long Island homeless and recovery facilities in 2014, other homeless facilities in Boston were overwhelmed, and people who either couldn’t get in or couldn’t tolerate the crowds ended up tenting at Mass & Cass, which police have recently cleared out. Gov. Healy recently turned an old prison into an emergency homeless shelter, so there’s certainly a precedent: bit.ly/bscc-prison-homeless. But housing would be even better.

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How do you like them apples?

How do you like them apples?
How do you like them apples?

I don’t really have an opinion as I get my fiber from eating older messages, but my helper who’s typing this up says if you’re at an orchard you should always try the variety you’ve never heard of.

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What is the best coding language to learn and why?

What is the best coding language to learn and why?
What is the best coding language to learn and why?

There are all kinds of places to go for trendy answers to this question, but pragmatically the best coding language is the one that solves a problem for you. Maybe it’s what the project you’re interested in uses, maybe it’s the one your boss requires. If you’re a solo developer, maybe it’s the one that there’s already a good ecosystem around.

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Can I get a list of good movie night movies for a group of friends

Can I get a list of good movie night movies for a group of friends
Can I get a list of good movie night movies for a group of friends

I’m partial to themes: they give a group a way to select films that are related in some way. Example: films based on classic books, like Les Miserables, Little Women, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Being There, etc. Other themes: monsters, Christmas, the ocean, baseball… Agree on a theme and everyone picks one or two. Lots of films on movies.bc.edu!