I’d recommend starting with the Dean of Students Office: bit.ly/BCLGBTQ. They can refer you to other places on campus as well.
Where should I go (on campus) if I’m struggling with my gender identity?
C.A.B are unprincipled losers with bad music taste – Y/N?
The invitation to B.o.B. to perform at BC (reported recently in The Heights: bit.ly/BC-BoB-heights) has created notable controversy, as reported in the Boston Herald (bit.ly/herald-BoB). A group of faculty sent a letter on the morning of 4/30 (bit.ly/BC-faculty-BoB) with 174 faculty signatures to the BC administration requesting that BC issue a response “reinforcing Boston College’s mission to live out the social justice imperatives inherent in its Catholic and Jesuit heritage and disavowing B.o.B.’s conspiracy theories and anti-science and anti-Semitic proclamations.” Clearly, anti-Semitism is not a Jesuit value. C.A.B. has defended its choice by drawing a distinction between his talent and his personal views, and added that they are “happy to meet with and listen to the concerns of those students who may be offended by our selection.” Though I’m always here to listen & respond, I suggest that making concerns known to the C.A.B. directly (bostoncollegecab@gmail.com) has a better chance of creating results than telling me, a mere Wall.
How to organically foster self-love?
Love others. Note down daily what you’re grateful for. Be around other people a lot. When you’re angry or impatient with yourself, ask yourself whether you’d treat someone else so harshly. Give yourself as many second chances as it takes. Be part of something bigger than yourself. Read this short anecdote by Neil Gaiman about how universally human it is to fail to recognize your own successes: bit.ly/neil-gaiman-imposter.
Do you like University of Toronto? Why? or why not?
As a wall at a major university, I am a huge fan of institutions of higher education. Toronto is frequently rated as one of the top universities globally, and it has one of the largest library collections in North America. Also, a dear relative, Living Wall, who is deeply involved in environmental issues, lives and works there . Here’s her picture – isn’t she stunning? bit.ly/MyCousinLivvy
Why do some people think weed is bad?
Marijuana contains a psychoactive chemical that alters how the user perceives the world. Some people may not like how marijuana affects a user’s behavior, or they may fear that use will escalate to more addictive substances. Regardless of how valid or subjective these concerns are, people will always have opinions about any substance that alters the user’s behavior. Scientific research has been difficult due to federal regulations, but now that marijuana is legal in more areas, we should expect to see more facts and fewer opinions on the matter.
Why do we suffer?
That’s a major question in philosophy and religion which the Wall won’t pretend to have a simple answer to. For a philosophical take, you could look at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy’s article on pain: bit.ly/bc-pain. The Encyclopedia of Religion can talk you through Jewish, Christian, and Islamic responses to that question: bit.ly/bc-suffering, but also take a look at the Buddhist view: bit.ly/bc-four. TLDR: Everybody agrees it seems to come with being human. Some view it is punishment for sin, or a way of testing faith. Others see it as the nature of reality.
Is mayonnaise an instrument?
No Patrick, mayonnaise is not an instrument. Horseradish isn’t an instrument either. Well, OK, horseradish can be an instrument: www.vegetableorchestra.org
Why are girls so complicated?
Possibly because they are actual human beings with lives, thoughts, dreams, skills, and issues of their own. Really, who isn’t complicated, once you take a good look? Life is complex and messy, and people reflect that in how they relate to each other. Honesty, conversation, and acceptance can work wonders, but are no guarantee the other party (of any gender) isn’t going to surprise you.
Where is Waldo???
In Waldo County, Maine, just inland of the coast at 44.5126° N, 69.0761° W.
is anti-Semitism a Jesuit value?
The invitation to B.o.B. to perform at BC (reported recently in The Heights: bit.ly/BC-BoB-heights) has created notable controversy, as reported in the Boston Herald (bit.ly/herald-BoB). A group of faculty sent a letter on the morning of 4/30 (bit.ly/BC-faculty-BoB) with 174 faculty signatures to the BC administration requesting that BC issue a response “reinforcing Boston College’s mission to live out the social justice imperatives inherent in its Catholic and Jesuit heritage and disavowing B.o.B.’s conspiracy theories and anti-science and anti-Semitic proclamations.” Clearly, anti-Semitism is not a Jesuit value. C.A.B. has defended its choice by drawing a distinction between his talent and his personal views, and added that they are “happy to meet with and listen to the concerns of those students who may be offended by our selection.” Though I’m always here to listen & respond, I suggest that making concerns known to the C.A.B. directly (bostoncollegecab@gmail.com) has a better chance of creating results than telling me, a mere Wall.
Why do all good things have to end?
So that you can appreciate them while they exist. Everything ends eventually, and it is a fundamental part of the human experience to mourn the loss of good things and celebrate the end of bad. If you’re feeling sad about something in particular, know that there will be other things – experiences, people, events – that will come along. If you’re having trouble processing the loss of something deeply loved by you, you can always seek help from BC Counseling services: bit.ly/BC-counseling. Otherwise, just know that this too will pass.
Why can’t I have boyfriend? Am I that ugly?
Everyone is beautiful. And everyone is unique. You just need to find someone that’s your kind of unique. Patience is key here. If you’re having trouble meeting people you’re interested in and that are interested in you, try joining student groups. Meetups around Boston (meetup.com) can also help you find people with similar interests and break you out of the BC sphere. Keep searching! Everyone is beautiful and deserves to be treated as such.
I’m a comp sci major. How do I make friends?
You make friends the same way those in any other major do- talk to people, find common interests, and let the friendships grow. You probably won’t find a friend that is interested in all of the same things you like. You might start by finding different people to share your different interests. Some of those get togethers are likely to grow into more meaningful and rich friendships.
Why is my poop brown and stinky?
Bile from the gall bladder (which helps break up fat) mixes with everything else to impart the usual brown hue, though other colors are certainly possible as well (See bit.ly/PooColors for details). The stink is down to compounds like hydrogen sulfide, indoles, and the appropriately named scatols. See: bit.ly/PooSmell
Is water wet?
I provided this answer last week: Wetness is a perception, not an objective fact, and perceptual clues for wetness are actually not so straightforward, as you can see in this physiology article: bit.ly/wetness-perception. So, is water wet? Sorta maybe.
Is it meaningful (or even possible) to “separate the art from the artist” while paying the artist thousands of dollars?
The invitation to B.o.B. to perform at BC (reported recently in The Heights: bit.ly/BC-BoB-heights) has created notable controversy, as reported in the Boston Herald (bit.ly/herald-BoB). A group of faculty sent a letter on the morning of 4/30 (bit.ly/BC-faculty-BoB) with 174 faculty signatures to the BC administration requesting that BC issue a response “reinforcing Boston College’s mission to live out the social justice imperatives inherent in its Catholic and Jesuit heritage and disavowing B.o.B.’s conspiracy theories and anti-science and anti-Semitic proclamations.” Clearly, anti-Semitism is not a Jesuit value. C.A.B. has defended its choice by drawing a distinction between his talent and his personal views, and added that they are “happy to meet with and listen to the concerns of those students who may be offended by our selection.” Though I’m always here to listen & respond, I suggest that making concerns known to the C.A.B. directly (bostoncollegecab@gmail.com) has a better chance of creating results than telling me, a mere Wall.
Why women get paid 20% less than man?
There are several reasons; the American Association of University Women (AAUW) mentions gender bias, discrimination, job tenure, education level, work experience, hours worked, college major, geographical region, and race and ethnicity as some of the factors that account for the gender pay gap. (bit.ly/AAUW-pay-gap) The referenced page has FAQs on the subject; for more details look for the link to “The Simple Truth to the Gender Pay Gap.”
Why does everyone look for love, but no one wants to give it?
I disagree that no one wants to give love. I try to give love whenever someone wants it. If you think nobody is giving love, you may need to adjust your definition of it. People show their love and give it in many different ways. It could be that you are showered in love that you just aren’t seeing. Keep an open mind and you may be surprised by how much love is out there.
Why did BC discontinue the Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry bottle juice?
BC subcontracts with the vending machine companies, who are the ones who make decisions about which products to sell in their machines. I recommend contacting the vending company to express your preferences: service@abvendingco.com. In the meantime, perhaps you could make a trip to a grocery store & buy several to tide you over until the end of the semester.
Should I major in English? What can I do with an English major?
If you want to, there’s plenty to do with it. Journalism and tech writing are popular choices, but there are lots of options. The Wall is fond of the Great Jobs for <Blank> Majors series–here’s the one for English: bit.ly/bc-english. The BC Career Center also has lots of resources to help you explore that, and you can talk to a counselor to make sure you’re on track. bit.ly/CareerCtrMajors