Quick Q: Anyone know what the point is yet?

Quick Q: Anyone know what the point is yet?
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!

Best bathroom on campus?

Best bathroom on campus?
Best bathroom on campus?
McMullen Locker Room
McMullen Locker Room

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]
Do the ends justify the means? (…ever?) [Kant says no]

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).

Okay, but is that to say that Machiavelli is morally wrong? I understand that Aristotle's point of view is tempting to accept but do you think some situations can require a Machiavellian understanding of ethics? Thanks!
Okay, but is that to say that Machiavelli is morally wrong? I understand that Aristotle’s point of view is tempting to accept but do you think some situations can require a Machiavellian understanding of ethics? Thanks!

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.

How to become a tutor in the Connor’s Learning Center?

How to become a tutor in the Connor's Learning Center? Is it a lot of work? Is it paid?
How to become a tutor in the Connor’s Learning Center? Is it a lot of work? Is it paid?

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…

Hi, what would you suggest to someone who is in huge depression, has no money and friends and hates cold? PS: Please don't say check out the events and clubs since I've already tried those.
Hi, what would you suggest to someone who is in huge depression, has no money and friends and hates cold? PS: Please don’t say check out the events and clubs since I’ve already tried those.
Hang out in a random common room & maybe you'll talk to someone/someone will talk to you
Hang out in a random common room & maybe you’ll talk to someone/someone will talk to you

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?

Where do the O'Neill mice live in O'Neill? Are you friends?
Where do the O’Neill mice live in O’Neill? Are you friends?

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!

Bucket List! (filled checkbox) Take a shower @ math department bathroom #Maloney5th
Bucket List! (filled checkbox) Take a shower @ math department bathroom #Maloney5th

Little known shower. Kudos for finding & using! May the rest of the items on your bucket list be equally achievable.

If a class is marked as I (Incomplete) this semester … what would be its grade on this semester GPA

If a class is marked as I (Incomplete) this semester and will get updated next semester, what would be its grade on this semester GPA (will it count?)
If a class is marked as I (Incomplete) this semester and will get updated next semester, what would be its grade on this semester GPA (will it count?)

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.

my professor just asked me out…

hi answer wall, my professor just asked me out (like when the semester ends) - is it okay if I say yes?? I won't have him as a professor again at BC.
hi answer wall, my professor just asked me out (like when the semester ends) – is it okay if I say yes?? I won’t have him as a professor again at BC.

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.

OOF.
OOF.
YIKES
YIKES

Yupppp

Whats the meaning of life?

Whats the meaning of life?
Whats the meaning of life?

Figuring out what x equals.

Why only one variable? What's the function? Does x have one value or more or none? Is the domain real or complex?
Why only one variable? What’s the function? Does x have one value or more or none? Is the domain real or complex?

These are all great questions that you’ll spend your life trying to figure out!

How do you get over a toxic break up, and move on? (After being with each other for 2+ years)

How do you get over a toxic break up, and move on? (After being with each other for 2+ years)
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.