Produstinator Ponderings

Here we are again. Two papers this week. Zero done, both in progress, and I've done lots of cleaning and other non-urgent things instead of my papers. Of course it's time for more produstination and blog writing.

So, movies can serve a lot of purposes. They can be funny or serious or informative or dumb or anything in between. On Friday, "The Price of Pleasure" was screened at school and it was one of those movies that you remember and think about for a long time after seeing it. It's a documentary about porn, but that's really not what I want to talk about here, mainly because that's an issue with so many different threads, I simply don't want to get into it. However, I am really thankful for having seen it and the wonderful and friendly discussion that my group of friends was capable of having about it on Saturday, amidst rinsing pig intestine, stuffing sausage and lots of excellent food and wine.

Some of the most resonating points of Friday evening were said by my professors and the Dean before the film even screened. The professors, who are obviously more seasoned public health folks, said the most impressive part of the evening was having many people with differing views about porn all gathered in the same room and engaging in thoughtful and respectful discussion, which is not often true of our world (read: current political climate) these days. With that tone set, the two panelists who answered questions following the film were completely professional and academic, never attacking one another or belittling the point their opponent made, and simply sticking to strong and concise arguments supporting why they held their belief.

The Dean said that when the School of Public Health was choosing their one and only picture to go on the University website, they chose a picture of condoms. The PR folks for BU said they were nervous that it would be off-putting to prospective students, to which the Dean responded, if they're offended by a picture of condoms, they probably shouldn't be in public health. He continued by saying in public health, most of the time, you have to talk about things that generally make people uncomfortable, whether that means sex or acknowledging health disparities or publicizing illegal dumping of chemicals into a town's water supply, and doing so in a way that does not completely alienate people who do not share your views. No matter the topic, talking about all of these things is far more difficult than looking at a photo of multi-colored condoms. Seems like they've got a good screening process in that photo.

In the immediate future, paper writing does not sound all that appealing, but I am happy down to my very last atom that it means I am in this program and have found what I love in the world.

Sappiness? Check. Two papers? Here we go.