Answers I liked

[yayfulness]

And on a totally unrelated topic, I read Watts's answer here and just a couple minutes later saw this on iwastesomuchtime. Case in point.

[Portia]

Sometimes the traits we worry about most in other people are actually the traits we hate most in ourselves, or refuse to admit. If you ask me, I'd say the guy in question here is the one being emotionally manipulative. At the same time, it does seem like the friend might be overstepping her bounds here. I've actually had quite a few discussions with my best friend about situations in her life where my immediate reaction was to judge her, assume that while what she was doing or planning to do wasn't technically violating any commandments it was still extremely unwise, and try to convince her to change her mind. Every single time, after talking to her about it, I realized that there were issues in her life that actually made her decision a completely viable one, if not the single best choice. It's way too easy to judge first and find out later. And convincing someone else that they're wrong about something they've set their heart on is well nigh impossible. I'm not saying this guy is right, but I'll bet there's something here that his friend doesn't completely understand.

If you're old enough to have a daughter get pregnant herself, then this couple is fully a generation older than us. Gender roles have definitely changed - something to think about.

[yayfulness]

It sounds like this guy's still single, or at least definitely not married, since the asker uses the phrase "his future wife." I'd guess that means that the situations are hypothetical.

[Portia]

It sounds like this guy's still single, or at least definitely not married, since the asker uses the phrase "his future wife." I'd guess that means that the situations are hypothetical.

In that case, the question asker is psycho and needs a life.

[C is for]

Ha, hahaha, ha-ha, TBC, I'd never considered all that you read into that Flobots song. It's about the USA? Wow. I never knew.

I mostly only like the song because of this video. (It's a Doctor Who video. I hesitate to have people watch it that haven't seen the show because it could scare you off, is what I've heard.) Fits the Doctor perfectly, in my opinion.

[Zedability]

My Social Studies teacher was big into "protest songs" and analyzing their lyrics, haha.

[bobtheenchantedone]

Marduk showed me "Handlebars" early in our relationship. I say "showed me" because he always introduces people to that song by having them watch and listen to the music video. Since that was how I was first introduced to it, I have a rather different opinion. I don't think the first verse is supposed to be ironic at all (it's the description of a simpler life, with the technology and joys that living in this society brings, but also still appreciating things like community, and not worrying about going too far beyond what's already been achieved). Also, I don't think the rest of the song is overstated, though it might seem so if it is only a satire of America. However, while the American government may not have done all of those things, I'm willing to bet that there are other powerful heads who have, and the song is also (I think more so) a critique of corporations and individuals who have too much power.

[Zedability]

Yeah, I watched the music video after I wrote that answer, and it gives a different interpretation for sure. I think I generally look for sarcasm so much that I see it when it's not there, sometimes. (I'm still not entirely convinced that Ke$ha isn't just playing out an enormous, life-as-art satire on pop culture.)

[Marduk]

I just think it says something of American braggidocio that we instantly assume any critique of power is directed at us.

And even funnier that this is coming from a Canadian.

[Zedability]

I just think it says something of American braggidocio that we instantly assume any critique of power is directed at us.

And even funnier that this is coming from a Canadian.

Haha, well the song does say something about being "proud to be an American," and I think Canadians are kind of predisposed to seeing the "criticism of America" angle of things, since we have an inferiority complex and all that.

[Marduk]

Hrmm, not quite. The lyrics are actually "I know all the words to 'De Colores' and 'I'm proud to be an American'." (Although, one can still infer from that talking about Hispanic-American race relations in the U.S.)

[Zedability]

Well yeah, I'm just saying I think the phrase "proud to be an American" put me in the mindset where I was looking at the song from an America-centric viewpoint.

[yayfulness]

Ancient... but the first answer here was definitely the funniest thing I've read all day.

[yayfulness]

I noticed about a day after this got posted that I said "summer" instead of "fall" when referring to the professors I consulted. Oops. Thanks for helping me out, Katya!

[Katya]

I noticed about a day after this got posted that I said "summer" instead of "fall" when referring to the professors I consulted. Oops. Thanks for helping me out, Katya!

Oh, I assumed you meant the professor(s) who taught in spring term. No worries, regardless.

[Katya]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/68683/

The library catalog: Avail yourself of it.

Gold star for Genuine Article!

[C is for]

I like how in this question addressed to "Gents of the Board,"

only ladies answered.

I know there are other instances of that (many, in fact).

[Concealocanth]

only ladies answered.

Haha! Yeah, I noticed that. Well... our excuse right now is that we only have 3 or 4 male writers who are actually active... SAD TALE. I'm not sure what the deal with is the Board gender gap.

[Giovanni Schwartz]

I would apply, if you didn't discriminate. Just kidding.

[Zedability]

I'm not sure what the deal with is the Board gender gap.

It's my fault. I'm guy repellent.