University should try iTunes U
Regarding 'Second Life and the soul' (Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007):
I think the University would better serve itself and the public if it took part in iTunes U. Many other universities are already on iTunes U, and I've been waiting patiently to see Princeton throw its hat in the ring. Second Life seems too complicated to me to even try, whereas iTunes is easy. Julia Agarone Computing Support Specialist
False, bold statements
Regarding 'A little humility' (Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007):
Any observer or student of the Middle East must recognize, admire and support the critical work Daoud Kuttab has done to promote journalistic expression in the Arab world. And while the Princeton community should be proud to welcome his voice to its midst, there is no obligation to allow him to express half-truths unchallenged. Freedom of expression in the academic world assumes a good faith effort by the speaker to seek and express truth, a criterion surely violated by Iran's president during his recent visit to Columbia University. Likewise, Kuttab's insightful commentary on the political theater surrounding the visit, slips in the oft-repeated but baseless assertion that "pro-Israel and Christian right lobbies" have convinced the United States to deny the Palestinian people their freedom and independence for "decades." In fact both the United States and Israel today continue to support the existence of a Palestinian state; it is the Palestinians who insist that their right to freedom and independence also include the negation of those same rights for Israel. Kuttab has demonstrated a strong argument in favor of Columbia president Lee Bollinger's words and actions: When misrepresentative speech goes unchallenged, it can gain credence over time and become accepted as having the same value as credible, truthful speech. A falsehood is still a falsehood, even if presented under the banner of free expression. Josh Waldman '05
Architecture should remain gothic
Regarding 'Unrenovated and unloved, Wu and Wilcox empty out' (Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007):
Like last Tuesday's article shows us, the average number of students eating a meal in Butler College's Wu Hall has dropped below 50 and in an email sent to the students of their colleges, Mathey and Rockefeller masters noted that the number of card swipes per meal once reached 800. On my own visit to Whitman's Community Hall, I was unable to find an empty place where I could sit, but my friends in Forbes tell me they can often count the number of students in that dining hall on their fingers. Certainly the improved food has much to do with it, as many of the dishes in the new or renovated halls taste fresher and are generally more inventive. But this is not the only relevant distinction: Mathey, Rocky and Whitman are dominated by Collegiate Gothic architecture while Forbes, Wilson, and the soon-to-be-constructed Butler all have more modern architecture. Given the artist's released renderings of the new Butler, which features designs made to "harmonize" with buildings like Wu, the wisest option facing the administration right now is to take all of those designs and throw them into the trash. My reasoning is simple: Like most Ivy League universities, one of Princeton's greatest assets is its tradition. It's an attribute manifested physically in "up campus" traditional architecture, an architecture that is synonymous with the power and prestige of the University. It's beautiful in the most enduring way. Therefore, the best longterm physical investment Princeton can make is in traditional architecture and design. Princeton is a place for "spires and gargoyles," as F. Scott Fitzgerald '17 put it. Whitman College shows us that this type of architecture is still possible and is certainly desirable. I only wish the administration would take more of a hint when looking at the wildly popular renovations of Mathey and Rockefeller and construction of Whitman itself. Paul Boswell '10
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Keep academic authority in human hands
Lily Halbert-AlexanderThe Trump administration’s attacks on research and higher education as well as a blind reliance on AI chatbots are reflective of a societal backslide: a commodification of knowledge that prioritizes “efficiency” over the messy process of getting to an answer, where nuances are flattened and the truth is fungible.
The Trump administration’s attacks on research and higher education as well as a blind reliance on AI chatbots are reflective of a societal backslide: a commodification of knowledge that prioritizes “efficiency” over the messy process of getting to an answer, where nuances are flattened and the truth is fungible.
What do we owe society for a Princeton education?
Jia Cheng ShenThe social and moral responsibility that comes with receiving a degree subsidized by both private generosity and public trust is significant.
The social and moral responsibility that comes with receiving a degree subsidized by both private generosity and public trust is significant.
Notes from a so-called enemy’s classroom
Jennifer JenningsIt wasn’t revolutionary. It was homework. But it was homework that asked: how do we build schools that work for all kids? Inclusion, after all, is the “I” in DEI. That’s what we’re thinking about together. And caring about each other’s experiences and opportunities, it turns out, isn’t something you can outlaw.
It wasn’t revolutionary. It was homework. But it was homework that asked: how do we build schools that work for all kids? Inclusion, after all, is the “I” in DEI. That’s what we’re thinking about together. And caring about each other’s experiences and opportunities, it turns out, isn’t something you can outlaw.