I read an article for a class on Building Diagnostics that resonated with me. In talking about how museum conservators mitigate accidents, “Diversity of opinion is intellectually stimulating,” the author declared. Today in Studio, a professor asked our response to an exercise on self-evaluating our teamwork skills, and all I was thinking was about how stifling it is to voice disagreements. I feel like I am walking on thin ice in these classes and am afraid of saying the wrong thing, the wrong statement that might harm someone. Self-censorship in academia is becoming common place. It makes me want to read more than ever John Stuart Mill’s “On Liberty”.

Today I am grateful for the evening rain that refreshed the neighborhood; the warm coffee machine in the office; and the opportunity to help students in completing their assignments.