Hi! I am wondering why the men’s restroom on 4th floor, which is widely used, is in a poorer sanitary condition than the men’s room on 2nd floor, which looks way cleaner and more luxurious? Thanks!

Hi! I am wondering why the men's restroom on 4th floor, which is widely used, is in a poorer sanitary condition than the men's room on 2nd floor, which looks way cleaner and more luxurious? Thanks!
Hi! I am wondering why the men’s restroom on 4th floor, which is widely used, is in a poorer sanitary condition than the men’s room on 2nd floor, which looks way cleaner and more luxurious? Thanks!

I think you answered your own question. The 4th floor restrooms are heavily used and smaller than the ones on the 2nd and 5th floors. Their heavy and concentrated use makes it very difficult to keep the 4th floor facilities clean and in good repair. I guess sometimes being popular isn’t such a great thing.

Am I stupid?

Am I stupid? (Response:: No, of course! Only smart guys will ask this question.)
Am I stupid? (Response:: No, of course! Only smart guys will ask this question.)

I agree with the comment–that tends not to be a question people ask, unless they’re at least a little self-reflective. Humility, and being able to admit what you don’t know, are important marks of intellectual maturity. No need to beat yourself up about it though.

I’m so glad that you don’t mind the Halloween balloon! It looks great on / by the Answer Wall! <3

I'm so glad that you don't mind the Halloween balloon! It looks great on / by the Answer Wall!
I’m so glad that you don’t mind the Halloween balloon! It looks great on / by the Answer Wall! <3 Unlike another office that wasn’t too happy about the surprise (Some sense of humor, pls?) I’m so sad that ppl didn’t enjoy the surprise, also so sorry the balloons triggered BCPD & DOS…. Can you say sorry to them for me??

I and my assistants enjoyed the balloon. I’m sorry other people didn’t enjoy the gesture. Perhaps others aren’t accustomed to receiving missives the way I am? If someone perceived harm through your actions (even if you didn’t intend it), you would need to be the one to apologize. I can’t really do it on your behalf; that’s just the nature of apology.

Why hasn’t Cardinal O’Malley ever come to campus? Are there ever any opportunities for BC students to hear him?

Why hasn't Cardinal O'Malley ever come to campus? Are there ever any opportunities for BC students to hear him?
Why hasn’t Cardinal O’Malley ever come to campus? Are there ever any opportunities for BC students to hear him?

He comes every year for commencement with the exception of 2013, when he protested BC’s choice of commencement speaker, Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, over his views on abortion. He also attends C21 events from time to time. One way to hear him is to go to a weekday noon mass at the Archdiocese pastoral center. Call the pastoral center to see if he’ll be at the mass, or whether there are other opportunities to hear him in the area. bit.ly/cardinal-sean

Is the derivative or the integral of your life more important?

Is the derivative or the integral of your life more important?
Is the derivative or the integral of your life more important?

I’d say both, but in different ways. A derivative is going to tell you about what’s going on at a particular moment, and it’s important to live in the moment. But the whole area under the curve of your life is also important to show you the big picture. The derivative may cloud your mind during rough periods (“I’m going downhill fast!”), but integrating over the course of your life (with the limits being birth and death) can reassure you that this is just a phase.

how can I become an answer-er? dream job!!!

how can I become an answer-er? dream job!!!
how can I become an answer-er? dream job!!!

I’m planning on hanging around here a long time. To become one of my helpers, you generally have to be a regular library employee at BC. That’s a pretty sweet job, too; my helpers say this is one of the best libraries to work at. But we are brainstorming ways to bring in more student voices to the answering side of me. So stay tuned!

Is it abnormal to have no feeling about romance or sex at this age?

Is it abnormal to have no feeling about romance or sex at this age? Realize all my friends have some experience / thoughts, but I have none?
Is it abnormal to have no feeling about romance or sex at this age? Realize all my friends have some experience / thoughts, but I have none?

Everybody processes that part of their lives differently, and not always on the same schedule as everyone else. If it makes you uncomfortable or causes problems for you it might be worth talking to a therapist or counselor (Campus Health Services can help with that), but I’m reading more puzzlement than distress in your question. Be yourself, you’ll be fine.

To what extent can [you] assign blame…

To what extent can [you] assign blame to people who fall in the face of adversity?
To what extent can [you] assign blame to people who fall in the face of adversity?

Why does blame need to be placed in a situation where someone has fallen in the face of adversity? Failure, while sometimes demotivating, is an important part of learning — rather than asking yourself Whose fault is this?, try asking What can this teach me?