What is the difference between Bapts and Burns…

What is the difference between Bapts and burns Libraries? Isn't it the same building?
What is the difference between Bapts and Burns Libraries? Isn’t it the same building?

The Bapst Library, named for the first president of Boston College, served as the original Library, and in 1993 was designated as the Art Library. Bapst now supports the (increasingly) interdisciplinary teaching and research needs in the areas of Art, Architecture, Museum Studies, and Photography. While the Burns Library is located in the same building, it operates separately and houses a range of rare books, special collections, and archives. Burns Library is best known for the strengths of their Irish and Irish American collections and those which reflect Boston College’s Jesuit, Catholic heritage, including British Catholic authors, and also houses the University Archives.

Was the Protestant Reformation a mistake?

Was the Protestant Reformation a mistake?
Was the Protestant Reformation a mistake?

I’m sure there are as many perspectives on this as there are books about Reformation. At present, there are 3,851 items on the subject of reformation just in BC Libraries (bit.ly/BC-reformation). It might be hard to establish a definitive yes/no answer, but if there is one, reading 3,851 books is probably where to begin.

Isn’t political correctness conservative?

Isn't political correctness conservative?
Isn’t political correctness conservative?

I would perhaps encourage a different view from the typical conservative/liberal dichotomy. “Political Correctness” is the effort of some to use the terminology that various groups prefer when being the topic of discussion. It is always going to be fraught with disagreement, exception, and change. At one point the correct term was “Native American”, although many now prefer “American Indian”; at one point “transvestite” was acceptable, though now the term is “transgender”; “Negro” to “Black” to “African American” and (for some) back again to “Black”; “oriental” to “Asian American” to actually using individual’s ethnicity of origin, etc. Political correctness is all about respecting the dignity of the group or of the individual when speaking to or about them. To that extent, respecting human dignity through “policial correctness” is a shared value between conservatives and liberals.

Why is it the case that stuff that’s hailed as “smart” tends to be a sophisticated defense of the exisiting order?

Why is it the case that stuff that's hailed as "smart" tends to be a sophisticated defense of the exisiting order?
Why is it the case that stuff that’s hailed as “smart” tends to be a sophisticated defense of the exisiting order?

Some people benefit from the existing order, and are apt to celebrate those who defend it. Plenty of smart thinking is against the grain, though: Freud, Einstein, Jane Addams, Martin Luther King. We think of them as “the order” now, but they took a whole lot of flak for their disruptive ideas. In fact some (especially King) are misremembered as defending an order, when most of what he said & wrote criticized it.

Do you draw a circle the left way or right way?

Do you draw a circle the left way or right way? (Circle)
Do you draw a circle the left way or right way? (Circle)

A recent study has shown that most of the world draws them counterclockwise (left), but some Asian countries draw them clockwise (right). See: bit.ly/CirclesselcriC

True! As an Asian I approve this message.
True! As an Asian I approve this message.

Did you have to draw a circle (or at least mentally draw a circle) to remember which way you do it? That might be the universal truth of circle drawing.

Where did the post about mouse on 4th F go? …

Where did the post about mouse on 4th F go? I haven't read the response yet.
Where did the post about mouse on 4th F go? I haven’t read the response yet.

They’re devious, aren’t they! But they haven’t managed to chew their way into my blog, so you can always check the answers there: library.bc.edu/answerwall/ . I did have my assistants alert the folks who alert the exterminators.

How do I make… fall in love with me?

How do I make... fall in love with me?
How do I make… fall in love with me?

You could, in a reversal of the famous story Cyrano de Begerac (http://bit.ly/BC-cyrano) pen songs for him and have someone with a sweet voice sing them to him. You run the risk of him falling for the singer, but when he finds out you’re the writer, if all goes according to the play, he’ll be smitten with you. If you experience heartbreak, you could turn it into a screenplay.

Who puts toy dinosaurs all over Higgins Hall?

Who puts toy dinosaurs all over Higgins Hall? [response: I think his name is ... He's a grad student. Friendly w/ the McDannald Lab.]
Who puts toy dinosaurs all over Higgins Hall? [response: I think his name is … He’s a grad student. Friendly w/ the McDannald Lab.]

It started out with one clever grad student in Higgins, but it has taken on a (Jurassic?) life of its own. I asked one of my helpers in Higginsland, and it turns out that they are actually involved in the fun themselves. And evolution has been occurring: in addition to the dinos, pink flamingos & various fish are now roaming the building.