Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
You always know you’ve got a good question when you ask one philosophers have been debating for a few thousand years. This is one of those questions. For a really great summary of approaches to answering it, you can’t beat this entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: bit.ly/SEP-free-will
If you’re facing me, turn around. The smiling folks behind the desk across the lobby can do that for you, as well as check out technology, course reserves, and lots of other things.
Love is more a feeling than a look. I would say that love differs from attraction because it creates a deep concern for the other person’s happiness over any concern for your own happiness. Attraction can be sudden, but love usually takes time to grow. As to what love looks like, it could be sad when the other is hurting, pride when the other succeeds, and joy when the other cares the same way about you.
A “shot” refers to the amount of liquid you can drink at once. In this context “shot” of expresso means approximately one ounce of espresso (according to the Italian standards, a volume of 25 ml plus or minus ten percent.)
Are we talking specifically shows produced by Netflix? Comedy: Bojack, Friends From College, Master of None, and Grace & Frankie. Action: Marvel’s Luke Cage and Marvel’s Jessica Jones (don’t let the Marvel tag fool you, these are great shows in their own right). Drama: Stranger Things (of course), The Crown (of course), Narcos, and The Get Down. I’ll also plug Chef’s Table as a wonderful Docu-series on some of the world’s most influential chefs.
Be honest and direct with your partner about how you’re feeling. If you don’t see each other frequently you’ll be tempted to put off the unpleasant conversation. That’s normal, but it doesn’t actually spare you or your partner the discomfort…and can sometimes make it worse.
There are many right ways to study, and some of it depends on your personality. But why not set up an appointment for academic coaching at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors), and discuss your learning (and grade) goals with them?
Email the relevant subject librarian with your recommendation (libguides.bc.edu/ask-a-librarian/contact). If you need it quickly, do place an interlibrary loan request (illiad.bc.edu/illiad/bxm/logon.html) and check “yes” for “Should BC purchase this item”.
As a primarily residential campus, BC never closes completely. So, those who make the snow day call try to keep all services available as much as possible. Unfortunately for many, that also means classes are also rarely cancelled. But when there are snow days, check out the library hours page- O’Neill is almost always open.
I know the soda and coffee machines aren’t the most reliable ever. They’re much more mechanically complex than vending machines, which means they break more. While we do try to report issues, it is ultimately up to the companies (Coca Cola and A&B Vending) to fix them. But, ANYONE can call or email them whenever they’re broken, so feel free to contact them yourself. You can also use your One Card at the vending machines across the atrium on floor 2 next to the Center for Teaching Excellence.
I hate to interfere with the suspension of disbelief that is crucial for making my presence enjoyable and useful for my visitors. But, even though you can’t see right through me, I’m all for transparency. So I will fess up that a sizable cadre of library staff answer these questions, with frequent referrals to other sources in the library, BC, and beyond.
Apple Music boasts more individual tracks than Spotify, and has far more exclusive content. Also, if you already use a Mac/iPhone, Apple Music will integrate seamlessly compared to Spotify. However, Spotify’s discovery tools (like Discover Weekly) make finding new artists easier and requires less intervention from you. That same discovery allows for better radio stations than Apple Music. Spotify also has a free tier, which Apple music doesn’t. Personally, I like Spotify for the radio reason alone. For a more detailed rundown, check out bit.ly/AppleSpotify-BC.
We do! There’s a copy available in the Popular Collection (just to my left) and an online version available through OverDrive (bit.ly/bc-overdrive). Both appear to be in use right now–it looks like others agree with you!
Thankfully, I am secure in my place. But it sounds like my table colleagues are not so stable. I’ll alert the people in charge and get those tables back in line.
I am sure there will be another snow day, but you will likely need to wait until next winter (or the winter after that). On average, April in Boston receives no more than 1″ of snow.
No, I haven’t. Wall physiology and brain chemistry aren’t really conducive to that sort of thing. Also, I like my reality stable and predictable.
First, you win the life-lottery and get a staff position at BC Libraries. Once you’ve achieved that, the rest is gravy: you learn a few secret handshakes, pass some tests (that haven’t usually involved physical harm), and get my final approval. I was just kidding about everything past the first sentence. Mostly. If you work at BC Libraries and don’t know whom to ask, ask your supervisor.
Believe it or not, you’re not the first to ask this question. In September last year, I answered it thus: “The best analysis of this question the Wall is aware of is here: bit.ly/bc-airspeed,” and I continue to stand by that answer.
You are definitely in the right place for books. It is hard to recommend without knowing anything more about you, so browsing may be the best way to proceed. The Popular Collection (just to my left) and the books on OverDrive (bit.ly/bc-overdrive) can be good places to find a book. You might also be inspired by looking through the shelves of New Books and Comics and Graphic Novels, both on the first floor of the library.
But here are a few suggestions: For a golden oldie: Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman (PS3562 .I45397 E38 1993) is a short read that can get you thinking of all kinds of possibilities. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (PL856.U673 N6713 2000 or OverDrive) is another golden oldie, with the narrator looking back on his college days. Two more recent books are Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (PS3558.A42169 E95 2017a or OverDrive or Popular Collection) and Pachinko by Min Jee Lee (PS3612.E346 P33 2017 or OverDrive). Happy reading!
In the United States, the victim does not decide what kind of punishment is appropriate and when it should be delivered. Although the brothers’ abuse claims were substantiated by others, the parents should have been allowed to defend themselves (or plead guilty) in a courtroom. Self-defense is sometimes necessary, but one’s life must be in immediate danger. And it doesn’t help one’s defense if one first blames the murder on the mob.
