Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Hawaii church deploys dome community to shelter the homeless
From the Vatican to Notre Dame, some of the most resilient structures in the world have one thing in common—the architectural use of the circle. Officials at the First Assembly of God in Honolulu believe the present solution to Hawaii’s enduring homelessness crisis involves the same 360 degree formula, providing the homeless with shelter and…
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The Continuing Impacts of Slavery on African Descendants in America
Chattel slavery in America came to an end in 1865, but the horrific, barbaric, cruel, criminal acts still affect African descendants today. Yes, I’m a black man writing this article, but a white person could have written this article too. It’s not about black history. It’s about an honest and true history of the human…
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Mary McHale, Loving God by Serving Others
Mary McHale retired in 2009 after nearly forty years of volunteering at the Sancta Maria House, an all-women’s homeless shelter founded in the South End in 1972. She is still remembered fondly by many of the women whom she helped over the years. In McHale’s words, “I have friends from my old days that are…
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Building a Bridge: Spare Change News featured in State House exhibit
Photo: Sam Amore Spare Change News vendors stood alongside Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and Senator Patrick O’Connor this Monday at the unveiling of a new exhibit at the State House. The exhibit, entitled “Building a Bridge: Spare Change News Past, Present and Future,” displayed the work the paper has done in its career of…
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Remembering when
There are times when I find myself drifting back into the past. Some memories are good. Others not so much. But when an old friend passes, I drift back to a time that makes me laugh and makes my heart ache at the same time. There was a time in the early ‘80s when I…
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“Sleeping Giants”: A Book Review
“Sleeping Giants” by Sylvain Neuval. Published by Penguin Random House LLC, New York, N.Y. in 2016. Rose Franklin is riding her bicycle in her hometown in Deadwood, South Dakota, when, as far as Rose is concerned, the world ends. She wakes up at the bottom of a square hole; its walls are glowing and the…
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How did the minimum wage fight end up like this?
For some time, there has been much discussion on increasing the minimum wage at both the national and state level, but companies have recently shown that they intend to make sure that the effect on them is minimal. This can cause problems for those who’ve been actively fighting for progress. There’s no question that income…
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Liebman Shares a Laugh: Comedienne talks community works, benefit shows, opioid epidemic
Photo credit: Dana Patrick Wendy Liebman is no rookie in Comedy. Part of the scene for 32 years, her hard work has allowed her to curate a successful career that has landed her numerous HBO specials (two half-hour spots, and an hour-long special, Taller on TV, in 2011), as well as specials on Comedy Central…
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NuVu Studio: A Non-Traditional Approach to Learning about Homelessness
Last January NuVu Studio in Central Square set out to teach their students empathy and compassion for the homeless. When they were done, the students had designed a vending machine that distributes scarves, a kenetic energy device that charges iPhones, and a new sign for Harvard Square’s Y2Y shelter. NuVu Studio is a full-time innovation…
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Chronic homelessness on decline in Connecticut
Chronic homelessness in Connecticut has dropped by 20 percent since 2015, according to a January report from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH). According to a January 26 count coordinated by the CCEH, the number of people suffering from chronic homelessness has dropped from 538 to 439 since last year. The Department of Housing…
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