Ethos: Minnesota Nice and Minnesota Ice
by The Editors on September 22, 2005 in Culture
Dear Minnesota,
There’s this guy in my ethics class who always asks “questions” that are really just veiled excuses to talk about himself. He thinks he’s so awesome.
Like last class, he prefaced his question about Kant’s categorical imperative with a three-minute speech about the year he spent in Nepal saving baby yaks from Western poachers. It’s really getting on my nerves, and I know many of my classmates feel the same way. What should I do?
Yours,
Exasperated Ethicist
Dear EE,
The greatest part about KSG is that so many students have amazing experiences to share. We can learn a lot from each other don’cha know. But telling unrelated war stories that monopolize class time is inappropriate, and is not fair to other students. Are you right to be frustrated? You bet’cha.
However, telling this fellah he’s a blowhard is probably not the best move. You might hurt his feelings, and he may never speak in class again. Though your classmates would probably thank you, you’d be making an enemy - and that could be a thorn in your side when you run for President some day.
Better to speak with your professor. Tell him/her that you and your classmates find this student’s participation distracting, and that it’s getting in the way of your education. Don’t whine, though. Be nice. Chances are, the professor realizes the problem, too. Tactfully broaching the subject will likely prompt the professor to speak with the talkative student, who will take the news with more humility if it comes from an authority instead of a classmate. And, you’ll avoid making an enemy, eh?
Yours,
Minnesota Nice
Dear Minnesota,
My buddy and I are taking BGP-100 together, and the course packet costs $3,672.50. My friend suggested that we split the cost of the packet, and then make copies at Gnomon Copy. Is that wrong?
Yours,
Charlie Cheapskate
Dear Charlie,
Yo, the price of course packets is ridiculous! Last semester I had to sell a kidney just to buy the packet for ISP 104 (I never read it anyway). But splitting the cost of the packet with your buddy and then making copies at Kinko’s is copyright infringement, and could get you in big trouble, right?
Wrong-o. Bottom line is, no one will care. Plus, it’s not like the authors and publishers of the pieces in the course packet are getting much of a kickback anyway. The real victim here is your pocketbook - if you’re crazy enough to pay a small fortune for a bunch of dumb words on a page. Copy away, Alex.
Um, by the way, when you get arrested by the CMO police, don’t come cryin’ to me. I always pay full price for my packets.
Yours,
Minnesota Ice
Send your KSG ethical questions to minnesota_nice_ice@yahoo.com
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