It’s beautiful, useful, and necessary. I know some folks differ on this opinion, but they are just misguided, confused, and wrong. 😉
Thoughts on the Oxford comma?
Quick Q: Anyone know what the point is yet?
It’s okay if you don’t know what your point is, just know that everyone has a point. You’ll discover yours eventually- no rush. There is a great recording from 1970 called “The Point!” which uses a fable to say essentially that. Sadly, the library doesn’t own it, but there is a good plot synopsis here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Point!
Can I “check out” a book from the collection in Gasson Commons?
One of my helpers had a chat with Maureen Burke in the Dean’s Office (Gasson 103), and she said that while there’s no policy about this, if you want to take out a book, just bring it to the office and she will OK it. However, I should add that the Gasson Commons is currently closed until the 16th.
Best bathroom on campus?
A recent post had the math dept. restroom (with shower!) on a bucket list, so it must be pretty special. It also has the virtue of being nearby… which could be the most important criterium when it’s, uh, urgent.
Do the ends justify the means?
![Do the ends justify the means? (...ever?) [Kant says no]](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/AW11142019-04.jpeg)
Kant says no; that’s correct. Aristotle has some useful things to say on this matter, too, in the Nicomachean Ethics (O’Neill Library B430.A5): action falls in a situation-dependent range, and virtuous action generally falls somewhere in the middle–the “golden mean” (e.g., neither overly brave nor overly timid, but adapted to the needs of the situation). You could take a deeper dive into ethics by looking up virtue ethics, deontological ethics (duties and rules) and consequentialism in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (plato.stanford.edu).
Though there are some philosophers who argue that Machiavelli is not merely a political and historical thinker, but a political philosopher, few would credit him with a consistently reasoned ethic. Read this entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: bit.ly/SEP-machiavelli. He was concerned primarily with the behaviors of heads of non-democratic states, who, he argued, were not bound by the morals that constrained non-rulers. If this concern is important to you, I recommend a course in ethics in the philosophy department, such as Ethics of Peace and War or Ethics, Religion, and International Politics.
Book recommendations for someone who likes fantasy/scifi?
Here’s a recommendation in podcast form: The Incomparable network hosts podcasts with smart funny nerds talking about the movies, books, and TV they love, and one of their annual traditions is reading all the books nominated for the major sci-fi and fantasy awards and talking about them: bit.ly/bc-incomparable
How to become a tutor in the Connor’s Learning Center?
It is paid. You can tutor for one or more courses. To become a tutor for a course, you need to have gotten at least a B+, and have a recommendation from your professor. The CFLC suggests you talk to the professor about the recommendation first, and then drop in to the center to fill out a form. It’s serious work and you will need to get some training, but it seems like a very worthwhile and rewarding job.
…what would you suggest to someone who is in huge depression…
Being physically miserable often goes along with depression, so you might try focusing on getting cozy. Hide under a heap of blankets until you warm up, or crank up the heat in your room until it’s comfortable to walk around in clothes you like. One of my helpers did the turn-up-the-heat trick and had a beach party in February. And yes, talking to other people can absolutely help too, so you might try that as well–another part of depression is often isolation. And of course, if the depression continues it’s a good idea to consider talking to someone at Counseling Services. http://bit.ly/BCCounselingSvcs
Where do the O’Neill mice live in O’Neill?
I am friends with them – they’re sweet and very smart – but unfortunately, they are a problem in the library. At times, they can be found in many areas. Our policy of allowing food in the library (which I strongly support, since it makes you humans so much happier and more productive) is also very attractive to my mousie pals.
Bucket List!
Little known shower. Kudos for finding & using! May the rest of the items on your bucket list be equally achievable.
Do you identify as more of a woody or spork & why?
Woody is great and all, but because what I am every day is created by you I’d have to say Forky makes more sense to me. Trash!
If a class is marked as I (Incomplete) this semester … what would be its grade on this semester GPA
I checked with my contacts in the Academic Advising Center, and they told me that, for this semester, it will not have a numerical value or affect your GPA. Once the grade is given next semester, it will count towards your GPA.
Be the clay molder and not the clay =)
Words to live by. But just to say, the clays I know are very mature. Mineralogically speaking.
my professor just asked me out…
It is not okay for the faculty member to ask you out. BC policy states: “The University prohibits any faculty member or other employee from engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship or in any romantic or sexual conduct with any student currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Boston College.” If you’re a grad student, you can have a relationship with a faculty member in another department or school, but as you are taking a class with this person, that exception probably doesn’t apply either.
Yupppp
Whats the meaning of life?
Figuring out what x equals.
These are all great questions that you’ll spend your life trying to figure out!
Favorite non-fiction book?
looks around thoughtfully. Ask me a different time I’ll give you a different answer, but for right now: The New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. It takes concepts like Determinism or Europe and gives you a quick history of how people have thought about it from the cooling of the Earth to the present. http://bit.ly/bc-idea-dictionary
Boys Im single hit me up Im desperate
May the odds be ever in your favor!
How do you get over a toxic break up, and move on? (After being with each other for 2+ years)
Be gentle with yourself. Maybe don’t jump right into the next relationship before you’ve had time to process this one (or maybe that’s exactly what you need). Everybody handles grief differently–and even if the relationship sucked, part of what you’re doing is grieving for something you spent a good bit of your life on.
Apple or PC (There is a Right answer)
sudo echo -e “\aLinux \vfor \vLife”
=(
I hope that life gives you reasons to smile soon!
♫ Always look on the bright side of life! ♫