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.

Why is BC ignoring the importance of art?

Why is BC ignoring the importance of art? Look around O'Neill and I don't see any art-related things around us. And I think the art department is just a side program that nobody values.
Why is BC ignoring the importance of art? Look around O’Neill and I don’t see any art-related things around us. And I think the art department is just a side program that nobody values.

I can’t speak BC’s valuation of the art program, but the libraries encourage art displays and frequently host artistic and educational exhibits. All of the BC Libraries have exhibit spaces. Check out the “Trapped In The Middle” photo exhibit showing now at both O’Neill and the SWL, and the colorful Alfred Manessier print exhibit at the TML. In O’Neill, students can display art on the first floor, and proposals are welcome for use of other spaces. Did you see the ceramics exhibit in the lobby last fall?

I want to learn GIS and how to use it. Does BC have resources for this?

I want to learn GIS and how to use it. Does BC have resources for this? Or online course suggestions? (I'm a 2nd semester senior, so I can't take a class here later.)
I want to learn GIS and how to use it. Does BC have resources for this? Or online course suggestions? (I’m a 2nd semester senior, so I can’t take a class here later.)

Unfortunately we don’t have any GIS sessions happening this semester. But you can always learn more on the Data LibGuide: library.bc.edu/dataservices. If you click the “Get Help” link on the left side of the page, you can make an appointment with one of our two data librarians. They’ll walk you through getting started and talk to you about some of the different options you have to learn more.

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.

Dominus Vobiscum …

V/Dominus Vobiscum R/ Et cum spiritu Tuum!!! V/Sursum Corda. R/c
V/Dominus Vobiscum R/ Et cum spiritu Tuum!!! V/Sursum Corda. R/c

For those not as well-versed in Latin: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit!!! Lift up your hearts. These are common phrases in the liturgy of the Christian church, dating back to the earliest periods of the church, and quite familiar to any Catholics accustomed to hearing the Mass in Latin.

Habemus ad Dominum
Habemus ad Dominum
v| Gratias agemus Domina Deo nostro r| Dignum et iustum est
v| Gratias agemus Domina Deo nostro r| Dignum et iustum est

Here’s a quick explanation of the Preface Liturgy (it comes before communion) in the Catholic mass, for those unfamiliar with it: bit.ly/preface-dialogue. For a deeper dive, here are 700 books on the history of the Catholic liturgy: bit.ly/BC-catholic-liturgy

WOW! Where can I find Latin Mass on campus?
WOW! Where can I find Latin Mass on campus?

Latin Mass is a relative rarity in the Church today. The only Latin Mass on campus these days is conducted in St. Joseph’s Chapel on upper campus Fridays at noon. See the full Mass Schedule at BC at http://bit.ly/MassBC. There is also a Latin Mass conducted at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston at 10AM on Sundays.

Latin Mass is also held in St. Joe's on Wednesdays @ noon!
Latin Mass is also held in St. Joe’s on Wednesdays @ noon!

I’m sorry I missed that! Can you speak to whomever runs the calendar of Mass at BC and have them add that? There’s currently no Latin Mass listed on Wednesdays. 🙁

Why Is BC a white-student school?

Why Is BC a white-student school?; Is BC a racist school at all? :(
Why Is BC a white-student school?; Is BC a racist school at all? 🙁

It sounds like you’ve had a bad experience here, and I’m sorry about that. A core Jesuit value is “cura personalis,” care for the person. If you’ve been subjected to racism you’ve felt the pain of that value failing you. Another core Jesuit value, Magis, involves striving to be better. To be better, we have to examine the places where we fail. BC is a school with thousands of people, each with their own feelings and experiences about race. It is likely there are individuals at BC who are racist. It is also likely that others participate unwittingly in structural racism. We all need to examine our own behaviors and rise to the challenge of caring for each other more mindfully.

❤️ ❤️Happy Birthday Wall ❤️❤️❤️

❤️ ❤️Happy Birthday Wall ❤️❤️❤️
❤️ ❤️Happy Birthday Wall ❤️❤️❤️

❤️Thank you!❤️

HBD !! Still 18 years to go for legal drinking
HBD !! Still 18 years to go for legal drinking

Thanks! Hmm… 18 years to learn how walls can drink?

Happy Birthday! Thank you for all the amazing advice & jokes!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all the amazing advice & jokes!

Thanks! And you’re welcome! What jokes? ?

Happy Birthday! Thanks for all the great advice.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for all the great advice.

Thanks! You’re welcome. Thank you for all the great questions.

Wishing you the best in all your endeavors
Wishing you the best in all your endeavors

Thanks! Wishing you all the best in yours as well

Happy B-day, My guy.
Happy B-day, My guy.

Thanks. ?

Happy B-Day, Thank you for informing us ❤️
Happy B-Day, Thank you for informing us ❤️

Thanks, and you’re welcome! I get a lot of help from my library assistants.

Happy Birthday my friend!
Happy Birthday my friend!

Thanks so much, my friend!

Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday!!!

Thank you!!!

Thanks for all the advice ? H Birthday
Thanks for all the advice ? H Birthday

You’re welcome! I always hope my responses are supportive and informative.

HBD answer wall! so glad I got to help you answer so many questions, xoxo, anonymous library worker
HBD answer wall! so glad I got to help you answer so many questions, xoxo, anonymous library worker

Thanks! I appreciate your help so much! Literally couldn’t do it without you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WALL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WALL <3 <3
Happy Bday!! Ty for answering all our questions!
Happy Bday!! Ty for answering all our questions!
Hi best friend! Happy B-day! Thanks for making O’neil special. I wish you all the best! LOVE YOU
Hi best friend! Happy B-day! Thanks for making O’neil special. I wish you all the best! LOVE YOU <3
Happy Birthday Answer Wall! Thanks for always bringing a smile to our faces!
Happy Birthday Answer Wall! Thanks for always bringing a smile to our faces! <3
You're SO SMAHT Answer Wall! HBD!!
You’re SO SMAHT Answer Wall! HBD!!
Happy Birthday Answer Wall!! Guess what? Today is my birthday too! Wishing the both of us the best year ever!!!
Happy Birthday Answer Wall!! Guess what? Today is my birthday too! Wishing the both of us the best year ever!!!
Happy Birthday! :)
Happy Birthday! 🙂
happy BIRTHDAY! you're old
happy BIRTHDAY! you’re old