Author: Answer Wall

Posted on

Read all the [?] in today’s New York Times. Is this a false rhyme?

Read all the [?] in today's New York Times. Is this a false rhyme?
Read all the [?] in today’s New York Times. Is this a false rhyme?

Yes. Of a sort. It is obviously not a perfect rhyme, which means it falls into the category of imperfect rhymes – for which there are many names (false rhyme, slant rhyme, near rhyme, etc.). Depending on how the lines are arranged, it could also be an internal rhyme. Not to judge anyone’s artistic abilities, but as a rhyme goes, this one seems to be a stretch. “By lines” has two syllables and the consonant before the rhyme is different from “New York Times”. You wind up having to speed up “New York” and stressing the word “York” awkwardly in order to make the meter work.

Posted on

What is your fav internet trick?

What is your fav internet trick? Mine is using the waybackmachine.com =)
What is your fav internet trick? Mine is using the waybackmachine.com =)

There are so many. You should ask again so you get suggestions from more of my helpers. But here’s one: Use Worldcat and the magic of interlibrary loan to request books and movies from anywhere. Example: Find an obscure movie on IMDB, search Worldcat, find out BC doesn’t have it and hit request (elapsed time 30 seconds). A few days later get an email when the movie arrives. One of my helpers is watching something that came from a community college in Oregon. Worldcat is linked at library.bc.edu, or it’s bc.on.worldcat.org.

Posted on

Where is the oldest book on campus? The smallest?

Where is the oldest book on campus? The smallest?
Where is the oldest book on campus? The smallest?

Some of this depends on your definition of “book”. The oldest printed book is in Burns Library. It is Jean Gerson’s De Spiritualib[us] Nupciis (On Spiritual Marriage) from about 1470. Lots more info about it, and a link to the digital version, here: bit.ly/ReallyOldBook. We also have a manuscript (handwritten book) from ~1300: http://burnsantiphoner.bc.edu. That is essentially an old church song book. I’m not sure about smallest. Do you mean height/width or thickness? Or smallest total volume? Either way, I might not be able to find a good answer.

Posted on

Why do men suck

Why do men suck
Why do men suck

I’m guessing something bad happened to you recently; I’m really sorry to hear that. Everyone sucks a little bit sometimes, and men are no exception to that for sure. I hope you find someone really great (or find out more about yourself in the process). *wall hugs*

Alternate Answers: men may particularly suck because 1) toxic masculinity teaches men to repress their feelings + refuse vulnerability, resulting in violence toward others 2) patriarchy and androcentrism mal-form men into distorted senses of their own power + authority over others, esp. women
Alternate Answers: men may particularly suck because 1) toxic masculinity teaches men to repress their feelings + refuse vulnerability, resulting in violence toward others 2) patriarchy and androcentrism mal-form men into distorted senses of their own power + authority over others, esp. women
Alternate - Toxic Masculinity isn't a thing and claiming it is harms men (& women for that matter) everywhere
Alternate – Toxic Masculinity isn’t a thing and claiming it is harms men (& women for that matter) everywhere

Here are a thousand books on the topic in O’Neill Library: bit.ly/BC-books-masculinity. I recommend, for those who doubt that there are forms of masculinity that are a problem, Men Explain Things to Me, by Rebecca Solnit (O’Neill Library & Social Work Library HQ1155 .S667 2014). I recommend for those who would classify all forms of masculinity as a problem Niall Hanlon’s Masculinities, Care and Equality (O’Neill Library BF692.5 .H36 2012)

Thanks for the book recommendations on both sides of the topic, I'll look into them. you rock answer wall!
Thanks for the book recommendations on both sides of the topic, I’ll look into them. you rock answer wall!

You’re welcome! And thanks for the compliment (Blushing!) The way I roll is not so much seeing “both sides” as being aware that there are many, many perspectives. I contain multitudes. (Of books!)

Posted on

What is Dungeons & Dragons?

What is Dungeons & Dragons? Is it a cult?
What is Dungeons & Dragons? Is it a cult?

It’s not a cult, it’s a game that mixes in elements of improv theater and collaborative storytelling. There’s a good explainer at Vox. bit.ly/bc-dnd. It’s been around since the seventies, but it’s having a bit of a cultural moment right now, showing up in a bunch of popular TV shows.

Posted on

What percentage of BC alums get married?

What percentage of BC alums get married?
What percentage of BC alums get married?

Can I ask a clarification question? Do you mean what percentage of BC Alums ever get married to anyone? Or do you mean what percentage of BC alums constitute marriages where both partners are BC alums? Finally, married by what age? It’s likely that many alums are currently unmarried, but could get married next year, or in a few decades. I’m not sure I’ll be able to find an answer either way, but defining the question is a good first step.

Posted on

Hey Wall, don’t you think BC’s food is overpriced?

Hey Wall Don't you think BC's food is overpriced? Let's start a protest
Hey Wall, don’t you think BC’s food is overpriced? Let’s start a protest?
Agreed! Agreed +2 +3 +4
Agreed! Agreed +2 +3 +4

If a group of sufficient number is organized, you have yourself a protest. If the group is also creative and persistent and has clear demands, it may also result in changes. Do I think it’s overpriced? Well, I don’t eat, but a few of my assistants mentioned bringing lunches and getting off campus for lunch as ways to save $.

1 bagel + 2 eggs is $6 !! wth And 1 waffle is $7.80!!
1 bagel + 2 eggs is $6 !! wth And 1 waffle is $7.80!!

For comparison’s sake: at IHOP, a Belgian waffle is $8.59, as is the quick 2-egg breakfast (with bacon, hash browns, and toast.) Food prices are going up all over; my assistants have noticed this at Boston-area restaurants. For now, a burrito at El Pelon is still a cheaper lunch option than many dishes here at BC, though.

Posted on

How about do you think UCS can benefit from more staff?

How about do you think UCS can benefit from more staff? Do appreciate UCS for adding staff in the past few years.
How about do you think UCS can benefit from more staff? Do appreciate UCS for adding staff in the past few years.

UCS has a growing demand for service, as do counseling offices at colleges and universities all over the US, and has been, as you’re aware, adding staff to meet demand. Though they would likely benefit from more staff, there’s also a question of budget. At what point do administrators say: we really can’t afford to put more resources in that basket this year? I don’t know the answer to that question.

Posted on

¿Donde puedo encontrar y hacer amigos hispanos para practicar mi español?

¿Donde puedo encontrar y hacer amigos hispanos para practicar mi español?
¿Donde puedo encontrar y hacer amigos hispanos para practicar mi español?

During the semester, the Roman Languages and Literatures Department offers an opportunity for Spanish conversation through the Café en español, which meets on a weekly basis. All students, whether or not they are enrolled in Spanish language courses, can participate. The Café meets on Wednesdays from 1-1:50 pm in Welch Dining Room, in the basement of Lyons.

Posted on

Why did people used to like growing beards on their necks?

Why did people used to like growing beards on their necks? Like Wagner and Thoreau. It makes them look like yetis!! Please explain.
Why did people used to like growing beards on their necks? Like Wagner and Thoreau. It makes them look like yetis!! Please explain.

I don’t have to worry about facial hair, but I suspect it must get itchy growing all the way down one’s neck. Luckily the library has a book that may answer your question: Of Beards and Men: The Revealing History of Facial Hair. Find it at GT2320 .O43 2015.

Posted on

Why am I already failing? (Nursing)

Why am I already failing? (Nursing)
Why am I already failing? (Nursing)

Breathe. You are almost certainly not already failing. It can feel awful when your studies start off on a bad note, though. Things to do: talk to your academic advisor about your worries. Go to your professor’s office hours and ask for their advice. Visit the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) for lots of great peer tutoring. There is a lot of help out there.