Dear College of Science Faculty and Staff,
Tinkers is a small book, 5x7 inches in hard copy and fewer than 200 pages, that earned a Pulitzer Prize. The story is tight, you will learn about clockmaking and experience unusual and lovely imagery. It took me a while to finish, as I kept re-reading passages before adding a lime green sticky note so I could go back. Even smaller is Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog, an incisive, hilarious read every time I pull it off the shelf.
The notion of ‘small’ is subjective: ‘of a size that is less than normal or usual’ ‘comparatively little size’. So, you can make your own judgement of what is ‘bite-sized’. I’ve found anything in increments can be a refreshing way to experience life and feel like you’re in control. Time can be made bite-sized – to finish your short list of approvals or write one paragraph. When things are tough for you, it can help to approach the day in 15-minute portions. I love being in person on campus for the short impromptu conversations we can have – wishing a work study student well for their quantum exam, brainstorming briefly around space challenges or our website, or comparing favorite Dunkin flavors (mine is strawberry with sprinkles). And using only 1.5 hours on Monday, you can view a solar eclipse with ~93% of the sun covered by the moon in Boston. Totally exciting! Thank-you! to our Physics department for an Eclipse Party! (see below) Please take safety precautions and don’t look at the sun directly.
Small increments are easier to think about deeply and can let your mind find unexpected insights. The powerful thing of course, is that small things add up, all on their own, to something bigger. Each small discussion you have with each student during office hours or advising meetings is valuable individually. Together, the many discussions add up to your substantial work and a top-quality semester. Thank you. For each research grant proposal, every section a pre-award specialist works on or every figure you improve may take just a few minutes. But over the weeks needed, the bits add up into a large, excellent proposal. When an award is funded (congratulations!), the monthly spreadsheets a post-award specialist sends to a faculty lead add up to successfully managing your finances over the award period. Thank you to everyone, in every department, program and unit for the increments you contribute, that organize into big, effective outcomes. Thank you for building a successful semester, thank you for building the Good Power of Science.
To College of Science members observing Ramadan, Eid Mubarak.
Warm wishes to everyone.