I am not sure if this is too lame a question. Can brussels sprouts be eaten raw, or do I need to boil them for 20 minutes or use some other form of cooking? 
I think you mean "Can brussels sprouts be eaten raw?" as in without cooking.  The short answer is yes, though they will be a lot like little cabbages. You don't need to boil them, either.  I like to sauté them in butter in a skillet, then cover them, and let them steam a bit; I serve them with salt and pepper. Cook them until they are bright green, but not too long to make them grayish green. 