O’Neill Library

Hi, I’m the Answer Wall! I’ve been perched in the O’Neill Library lobby at Boston College since February 2017, except for a year in 2020 when I went fully online. Ask me a question by posting a post-it on me in O’Neill Library. I’ll answer within a day on weekdays. I snooze on the weekends, because answering questions is hard work!

Do you have any favorite books on the philosophy of science? Or scifi like Ted Chiang! Thanks sm [crying emoji]

Do you have any favorite books on the philosophy of science? Or scifi like Ted Chiang! Thanks sm [crying emoji]
Do you have any favorite books on the philosophy of science? Or scifi like Ted Chiang! Thanks sm [crying emoji]

We do have Chiang’s Stories of Your Life and Others, which includes his short story, “Story of Your Life,” on which the film Arrivalwas based. Thanks for your interest! I’ll have my assistant order more of his work. Thomas Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions(O’Neill Library Q175 .K95 1974) is a classic in science epistemology. For a more recent work, try Nancy Cartwright’s The Dappled World (O’Neill Library Q175 .C37 1999).

Are the Lions going to win the Super Bowl?

Are the Lions going to win the Super Bowl?
Are the Lions going to win the Super Bowl?

I’m not a prognosticator; I leave prediction to my cousin the magic 8-ball. Regardless, it seems a little premature to ask the question; post-season play can be unpredictable. But if their commanding offense can continue to stay ahead of an injury-hobbled defense, the odds aren’t bad.

Would 5 lions beat a T-rex in a fight? If not, how many lions would it take? (asking for some friends)

Would 5 lions beat a T-rex in a fight? If not, how many lions would it take? (asking for some friends)
Would 5 lions beat a T-rex in a fight? If not, how many lions would it take? (asking for some friends)

T-Rex would have been about 40 feet long and weigh 11,000-15,000 lbs., somewhat larger than a big African Elephant. As lions tend to limit themselves to hunting young, sick, or elderly elephants, it’s unclear whether they’d even take on something as large as a T-Rex. The website of a S. African game reserves relates an anecdote of a pride of 26 lions taking down an adult elephant cow. It’s also unclear how a T. Rex’s teeth or claws might have compared to an elephant’s tusks as defensive weapons. Researchers also think T. Rex likely moved slowly, putting it at a disadvantage.

How many rate cuts in 2025

How many rate cuts in 2025
How many rate cuts in 2025

The Federal Open Market Committee at the Federal Reserve makes these decisions, and they don’t even know yet, because they make their decisions based on economic factors that have yet to unfold. Here’s more info: bit.ly/fed-monetary

Below some typing on a yellow post-it is the handwritten note "cop out answer"

If you’d like a prediction, I have to refer you to my cousin, the Magic 8-Ball.

How can I become a better person?

How can I become a better person?
How can I become a better person?

Self-improvement takes time so be kind to yourself! I recommend setting a goal for what you’d like to change and ask family, friends, and others who care about you to keep you accountable. Working with a counselor can also help you identify what needs to change and create a plan to do it. BC Counseling Services (https://bit.ly/BCUCSOptions) is just one of many supports on campus that provides this kind of service.

Can I majoring in sleeping?

Can I majoring in sleeping?
Can I majoring in sleeping?

Wouldn’t that be cozy? The closest majors would probably be psychology or neuroscience, both of which study sleep behaviors. But I suspect that isn’t what you mean. If you’re sleeping more than usual or have difficulty getting out of bed, it’s possible it’s just seasonal, and/or you’re exhausted after a tough semester and need some rest. If it persists, it’s worth checking in with a doctor. Meanwhile, why not read (in bed of course!) a history of sleep science called Mapping the Darkness? bit.ly/bcl-mapping-darkness

How to talk to women?

How to talk to women?
How to talk to women?

I’d recommend the same thing when trying to talk with anyone: start with a “hello” and bring an open mind. And remember that a good conversation is as much about listening as it is about speaking.

How do I bag a baddie? Asking for a friend :3

How do I bag a baddie? Asking for a friend :3
How do I bag a baddie? Asking for a friend :3

In many love stories time is spent together or a friendship develops that grows into romantic affection (see plot of any RomCom from the late ’90s – early ’00s for example). In your case, patience will be your best friend. As singer Doris Day said, “Que Sera Sera” (Whatever will be, will be).

How to be a good man?

How to be a good man?
How to be a good man?

Focus on being a good person. The specifics of what that looks like for any given man are less important than the basics of being a good human being. BC’s core classes in philosophy and theology have a lot to say about that, but one place to start might be Aristotle’s Ncomachean Ethics. Book II of that is about what is “good” (virtuous) in people. Two specifics, though: 1) Learn to admit when you’re wrong. 2) That thing that needs doing that nobody else wants to do? Do it yourself.

What is THE best Sally Rooney book?

What is THE best Sally Rooney book?
What is THE best Sally Rooney book?

Like beauty, “best” is in the eyes of the beholder (or, in this case, the reader). My helpers tell me that while Sally Rooney’s novels tend to touch on common themes around friendship, romance, class, and more, each book offers something slightly new that might appeal to different readers for different reasons. 

As a senior I’m not sure how to feel about moving away from my friends at BC. I’m glad and have good friends here but also worried about the future. Advice?

As a senior I'm not sure how to feel about moving away from my friends at BC. I'm glad and have good friends here but also worried about the future. Advice?
As a senior I’m not sure how to feel about moving away from my friends at BC. I’m glad and have good friends here but also worried about the future. Advice?

It’s bittersweet when a chapter ends. Your feelings make sense, they will probably continue to fluctuate, which is to be expected. You may be moving away, but your friendships won’t end, they’ll just shift. You have accomplished so much while here at BC. When you were new here, you probably couldn’t predict how many friends and memories you would make. Remember that you can handle whatever the future holds.