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!
Why do men hurt my feelings?
I’m sorry to hear that. Only you can know if you want to have a conversation about the hurt or if you want to take it as a redirection and focus your energy on other people. Both paths have their own challenges. *Insert Wall Hug here*
Why are the men here so questionable?
Not everyone we meet will be for us. As Ariana says, thank you next.
How do I become the next Kai Cenat???
First step, create a YouTube channel. Next step, talk about stuff that’s interesting to you. Final step, believe in yourself!
How to decenter men
Perhaps one way to decenter men in your daily life is to focus on building strong relationships with friends – especially female friends. Podcasters Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman wrote a book called “Big Friendship” a few years ago about the work that goes into sustaining those relationships (bit.ly/BigFriendshipBook), and Rhaina Cohen’s more recent “The Other Significant Others” considers the way our world could expand if we picked our friends to be our life partners (bit.ly/OtherSignificantOthersBook). Decentering men in other areas, such as workplaces or academia, requires tackling some entrenched historical systems. You might find this article on “Rooting Out the Masculine Defaults in Your Workplace,” which was written by two psychologists, an interesting place to start (bit.ly/MasculineDefaults).
What assumptions would you choose for a DCF of apple
If by DCF you mean discounted cash flow, and by apple you mean Apple Inc., I shouldn’t be trusted with investment advice but this article on Investopedia (https://bit.ly/investopedia-dcf) provides a good explanation of how DCF works and some pros and cons to consider.
Niche question – does the library have any books on bodybuilding?
I love a niche question! If you want to start a bodybuilding workout routine, I suggest this e-book, Target Body Building (https://bit.ly/bcl-target-bodybuilding). If you are more interested in learning about the history and culture of bodybuilding, I’d suggest A genealogy of male body building: from classical to freaky by Dimitris Liokafto ((O’Neill Library Call # GV546.5 .L48 2017) or Women of steel: female bodybuilders and the struggle for self-definition by Maria R. Lowe ((O’Neill Library Call # GV546.6.W64 L69 1998)
What is the shy?
I’m not sure what you mean, but if you’re into gaming, TheShy is a pretty successful Korean League of Legends pro gamer. If you mean the emotion, being shy is okay, especially in new places, situations, or with people unfamiliar to you. I was too shy to talk to Lobby Door for a while, so I understand how this feels.
When does spotify wrapped come out?
The inner workings of Spotify remain a mystery to me, but, if past years are any indication, my guess is: soon!
What is a lac operon I don’t get it :(
I’m not great at biology questions because I can’t move, only consume post-it notes, and can only communicate through my assistants, but this resource from Khan Academy (https://bit.ly/49fQqBk) might be helpful.
How do I distinguish when to use product and chain rule in calc? :(
Being a flat 2-dimensional surface in a structure full of straight lines and angles, I’ve never intuitively grasped calculus, myself. I recommend talking to someone who does, like a tutor at the CFLC on level 2: bit.ly/BC-connors. This conversation on reddit also looked like it might help: bit.ly/calc-chain-product.
Why should i apply?
To BC? If a Jesuit institution with a sincere concern for your full personhood is where you want to spend 4 transformative years, apply. I hope you find the right college for you!
What’s the difference between a cow and a campfire?
Mostly corporeal form and secondly temperature.
Will I get in here?
I sure hope so! If I had fingers I’d cross them. Best of luck!
Is it hard to get in?
Getting in seems straightforward to me. I see a set of doors here and I’ve been told there’s another set of doors on levels 2 and 1.
When can I get an offer??
I’m not sure what you mean, but if any offer will do I offer you my friendship.
Can long distance work?? (I’m talking about Boston-Sydney)
If you are referring to a long-distance relationship, I did some research but could not find evidence that long-distance relationships work or don’t. However, this doesn’t mean it’s worth a try. Like any relationship, communication is key, so I first suggest finding a regular time for you and your partner to call or video-chat each other so that you don’t feel as far. Also, if either of you can afford it, I suggest planning to visit one another in person to maintain a physical connection. There’s also a few titles in our collection on long-distance relationships that are worth checking out: Maintaining long-distance and cross-residential Relationships by Laura Strafford (O’Neill Library Call # HM1106 .S753 2005), Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (O’Neill Library Call # PS3569.P363 D43 2024), and Landing by Emma Donoghue (O’Neill Library Call # PR6054 .O547 L36 2007)
Who’s your favorite Greek hero? (there is a wrong answer)
Diomedes (the son of Tydeus, not the guy with the flesh-eating horses) doesn’t get nearly enough credit for picking up the slack of swift-footed Achilles. He gives good advice, he keeps his family promises, and he’s a mighty warrior. Good guy. https://bit.ly/3CIRT77
Do you think people should be forgiven even when they have done so much harm to others?
If you’re talking about religious forgiveness, I suggest talking with a pastoral counselor (bit.ly/bc-pastoral-counseling). It might also be worth exploring restorative or transformative justice, and the kind of truth and reconciliation processes that helped make peace in S. Africa and Rwanda. One helper recommended On Repentance and Repair by Danya Ruttenberg (O’Neill Library Call # BL476.7 .R88 2022) for the point of view of the one who did harm and how to make amends. Another recommended Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace, by Miroslav Volf.
Thoughts on bartering system?
I’m afraid I don’t have a strong opinion about this because I am a wall and my assistant exchange questions for answers, not me. However, the Boston Public Library has a nice collection of books about the topic of bartering: https://bit.ly/bplbartering
Will Jayden Daniels win ROTY?
I’m terrible at predictions, so I asked my friend the Magic 8-Ball and they said “it is certain”. Gotta say although, I love them but I wouldn’t take that to the bank.