Is it possible to have free BC merch somehow?

Is it possible to have free BC merch somehow? I lost my BC hat...
Is it possible to have free BC merch somehow? I lost my BC hat…

There are occasional merch giveaways, but that’s a right place, right time kind of thing. I’m sure if you ask nicely at the O’Neill Reference Desk, you just might score a BC Libraries pen, pencil, eraser, or magic magnifying bookmark.

Why doesn’t Father Leahy believe that microaggressions exist?

Why doesn't Father Leahy believe that microaggressions exist?
Why doesn’t Father Leahy believe that microaggressions exist?

Microaggressions are a documented and researched topic. I am sure that Fr. Leahy understands what they are and that they exist. That said, even well-informed people can be unaware of specific microaggressions, so you need to decide if and how you will respond. Assuming you feel safe doing so, a common response is to ask for clarification on what they said.

Why does CAB get so much HATE?

Why does CAB get so much HATE?
Why does CAB get so much HATE?

I’m not aware of any specific complaints. Planning huge events is hard, and it’s basically impossible to plan an event that at all 15,000 people on campus will enjoy, so I’d sort of expect them to get grief even if they were doing an inhumanly good job.

Why are libraries quiet spaces?

Why are libraries quiet spaces?
Why are libraries quiet spaces?

That’s a very interesting question. I think you might be interested in Matthew Battles’ book Library: An Unquiet History. (O’Neill Z721 .B28 2003). You might also be interested to know that the Pew Research Center surveyed people in 2013; though the majority wanted quiet, many didn’t. (pewrsr.ch/3tYu6cm)

The Oscars

*image of will smith about to hit chris rock at the oscars* with text box "stop fuc*** put my wife in your jokes"
*image of will smith about to hit chris rock at the oscars* with text box “stop fuc*** put my wife in your jokes”

I don’t think I have anything useful to add to all of the discourse already expended on this unfortunate incident, which I’d like to think all involved parties regret.

I feel like the main conversation around eating disorders are centered around anorexia, which leaves those who suffer from bulimia or binge-purge subtype even more alienated. It seems like the idea of over-controlling your body image is more treasured by society than a lack of control, and people who suffer from binge eating or bulimia nervosa face lots of stigmatized association such as laziness and stupidness. Both aren’t helpful though. :(

Absolutely, all these disorders should be part of the conversation and removing the shaming/judging aspect of it is vital (and let’s go further and remove all the body shaming in society that promotes treating yourself poorly to achieve some “ideal”.)

Why is speculative fiction looked down upon?

Why is speculative fiction looked down upon?
Why is speculative fiction looked down upon?

It’s mostly snobbery. People from particular social and educational backgrounds dominate the publishing industry, including the prestigious book awards, and for a long time they have favored literary realism as a style–that’s a genre also, BTW. SF and mystery and romance were all originally written to be cheap entertainment for mass audiences. Parts of the Establishment still look down their noses at them. While other parts of the Establishment make billions of dollars from it. Read what you like.

Does Evan Hansen have a tree fetish?

I’m actually curious. I watched the musical 2 days ago and, ignoring how incredibly cringe it was, Evan seemed to have a …particular… obsession with trees, he often took pride in his tree-“knowledge” in situations that had more or less a semi-sexual mood. Also, can you recommend me any musicals? I’m trying to Take a Break from Hamilton (since I’ll be seeing it in June and, you know, Taking a Break before something as important as this is necessary to make the effect of watching it bigger and more impactful). I watched all Starkid and TinCanBros musicals and, of course, watched In The Heights. I really want something new to satisfy me for the time being until I watch, nay, experience Hamilton live. Then I’ll return to my daily schedule of watching it at least once a day on Disney+. sigh.

As a wall, I don’t have a Disney+ or Netflix account, but I do appreciate a good musical. If you’re looking for more Lin Manuel Miranda-realted content, my helpers have heard that Tick, Tick, Boom on Netflix was a great watch!