It likely depends on what the overthinking is trying to protect you from. Is it anxiety? Perfectionism? An attempt to control unruly situations? Try and address the underlying thing. And also, be kind to yourself right now in Covid times. Everyone is at least a little more wound up than usual.
Is time travel possible?
If so, why haven’t we encountered any real time travelers yet?
Mental time travel (the ability to think about the past, present, and future) is something humans can already do. The kind you mean, not so much. But it’s a huge topic in philosophy and physics. Check out my friend, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy for a run-down on the pro, the con, and the paradoxes. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/time-travel/
Hello! Didn’t know you went online, but anyways, I have a question, acctually my cousin has, but he isn’t in BC, so I am writing it.
This is what he is asking (I didn’t write it): “Does stimulating my anus gently when I “play with myself” harm me and is it bad to do it?”
Because of the many nerve endings in the anal area, many people find pleasure in anal stimulation. Gentle stimulation of the anus while masturbating will not harm you physically. More care is needed if inserting something into your anus- fingernails should not be sharp, and objects should never be inserted completely in. Whether or not anal stimulation is “bad” depends on your opinions on sex and what you decide is good or bad for you.
Hey wall! I have a question – if you ever have to go into quarantine or isolation, can you bring your emotional support animal with you?
(Does it have to be registered?)
I have asked my cousin, an office wall in ResLife, to look into the policy on this and get back to me. I’ll let you know what she tells me.
hi! I hope you had a good week. What is the official BC policy on wearing masks outside?
I see many students sitting alone on campus, far away (10ft or more) from any other person, reading/studying etc while wearing a mask. Are we allowed to take them off in this scenario. Can we take them off outside while talking with another person who is sitting 10ft away? The signs around BC are not consistent in their messaging. Thank you!
I had a good week, thanks! You’re right, it’s not clear. This page has the authoritative information: bit.ly/BCReOpen. There is no explicit, unequivocal requirement to wear masks outdoors, but nor is it explicitly an exception to this broad requirement: “All students are required to wear face coverings/masks on-campus.” Use your best judgement. Remember, masks are primarily for protecting others from the virus you might be shedding unwittingly. If you’re prone to sneezing or coughing outdoors because of allergies, like some of my assistants, perhaps a mask outdoors is a good precaution.
Hi wall! I saw this cute thing outside of Gasson! Do you know what is it?!
It’s a darling little opossum. They’re pretty ubiquitous in the western hemisphere. One of my helpers saw one alone on a boat in the middle of a harbor this summer!
They are so cute!!! Wow… what an experience ur helper had! Would it be possible to hide one as a pet in the dorm if I can ever catch it?
So cute, indeed! But best left wild and free, where they can enjoy all their opossumy joys of setting out alone at night for walks, eating tasty bugs, and, apparently, taking the helm of random powerboats.
What could an atheist stand to gain from studying theology?
Religion in some form is a component of most societies of humans, so empathy and context for how others see the world is one thing. Theology and science are different ways of seeing and making sense of how the world works, but some of the big questions they ask are actually quite similar. And an awful lot of Western culture and history is directly influenced by religion and believers in it. More practically, it’s the explanation for why a lot of things at BC are the way they are.
You are a wise wall.
I guess I just don’t know how to live in a world where I either need to compromise my beliefs and desire for shared humanities, and eventually participate in the system that hurts others; or keep fighting and being told I was too naive and being hurt in the process. The ironic part is that the doctors in the hospitals don’t seem to understand or care about people who end up being involuntarily sent there in the process of fighting for what they believe in, and they can pathologize you with diagnoses and label it as individual problems. This seem to be a misuse of their power, a denial to acknowledge the wrong in the world, and ignorance toward the broader societal issue.
I can feel the pain you’re writing with and from. I’m not sure what to offer you in response. But I was just thinking of the concept ahimsa, the Sanskrit word for non-violence, is very influential in several Eastern religions. It goes beyond what we think of as non-violence to include a lot of philosophical and moral considerations, and how it works in one’s particular context varies. A very short suggested reading list: http://bit.ly/bc-ahimsa1, http://bit.ly/bc-ahimsa2. Other religious and philosophical traditions also have thoughts on the struggle to live a just life in a world which frequently isn’t.
Do you think the recent increase in COVID cases on campus will lead to students being required to self-quarantine for 2 weeks like Michigan State?
You know what I find ironic? One thing BC showed me is how easily someone can be treated as insane, vulnerable, or as a criminal, and locked up or deprived their self-autonomy. Then, the pandemic makes this a collective experience where everyone can be locked up and deprive self-autonomy so easily. I’m not against the quarantine policy, if anything, I’m more okay with being taken away freedom or self-autonomy for the greater common good than being told that others “believe it to be my best interests/for my safety” and make the judgment for me. And perhaps the pandemic will make the society think more about the individuals who are locked up, treated inhumanely, and suffer from inequity, now that it’s supposed to be a collective experience no one can turn away from.
Lots of campuses have responded to outbreaks by going all online for the semester, or for a while. The Cal State system has announced they’ll be primarily virtual through the spring also. My helpers are well-informed but don’t really know more than you do about what BC will or won’t do. It would be a wonderful thing if this terrible year increased the amount of empathy we have for others.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do? Possibly if you were human.
Vote!
Hey wall, When are you getting married? ?
I’ve previously confessed to my interest in the Lobby Door and would be open to taking it to the next level. It hinges on how Door feels about me. Sometimes I think Door gets tired of me hanging around all the time…
What’s the one thing about humans that you don’t like At all?
I’ll admit it’s making me a little nervous how many buildings I’ve known for decades have just vanished in the last year.
Hi Wall! You know how Holly Cross has a webpage ab their CARETEAM so students at least know who know about their situations/ crises/ hospitalizations?
Don’t you think it would alleviate lots of students’ stress and concern about privacy if BC somehow create a intro page for their BET team people as well. https://www.holycross.edu/campus-life/student-care-team/care-team-members. I guess I can communicate this myself when I get a chance, but I like how you wall provide answers and usually get a more concrete response from whoever you reach out to!
Thanks, I’ll send this idea along to the Office of Student Support and Outreach. If they respond, I’ll post an update.
Update 9/10: “Student Outreach and Support Services is grateful for your feedback, they are in the process of updating their websites and communication in general and will take your feedback into consideration.”
Why are guests limited to one per resident currently in the room this year?
Does it make a difference if you have four guests while one of your four man residents is gone?
Yes, I think so, because having indoor, extended exposure to people outside your rooming group is an additional risk. It’s not easy and I feel for you, but stay safe!
Will we witness the end of globalism in our lifetime?
I asked my cousin the 8-ball (they’re better at prognosticating), and they said “My sources say no.” You can try yourself if you were looking for a different answer, but I think I would concur. The economic, defense, legal, immigration, and cultural ties between nations are pretty strong. www.ask8ball.net/
Where is the BC Library Off-Site collection? Is it in a lair underneath the Chestnut Hill Reservoir?
Books and water don’t mix, so no, but I hope someone has a lair down there. There are three offsite locations. One is in the Kenny Cottle library on the Newton campus. One is a storage facility in Danvers MA. And one is actually in a non-public part of the first floor of O’Neill. That’s why delivery times are a little variable.
Hi wall! Do I get an award for having asked you more than 100+ questions since my freshman year?
Glad to know that I’m still here, healthy & alive, and am not kicked out by the institution, and am thriving. 🙂 Thx to the amazing ppl who answer questions and support students.
It hadn’t occurred to me to give out awards, but it’s nice to hear from you again and I’m glad you’re doing well. At least one of my helpers has said this is their favorite part of the job, so thanks very much for sharing your warm wishes.
Hi Wall! Can I declare a course pass/fail and then later change it back to letter grade half way through the semester?
The decision date is September 11 this academic year, and there are no changes after that point.
Came out. Thank you!
Sounds like it went well! I’m really happy for you and hope this can lead to your life being less stressful.
Desperately Seeking a Man
Hey Wall, how are doing? I can’t believe that we are now in September. It is so crazy and yet sad at the same time. Any who, I wanted to let you know that I have met a new man. And I like the way our relationship is going. We are building our friendship first. I am excited to see where this goes. I will keep you updated. Take care. ?
Yay! I’m so glad for you, and I hope things go better and better for you. I’m fine, thank you, and happy to see some students. (I’m working remotely right now, but they have a webcam I can look in on occasionally). Definitely keep me posted!