Opinion

100 years after the Nobel: Introducing a special issue inspired by Einstein’s legacy

100 years after the Nobel: Introducing a special issue inspired by Einstein’s legacy

Marie-Rose Sheinerman

For more than 100 years, some Princetonians have stood at the forefront of scientific discovery. This week, we ask our readers to join us in celebrating their stories.

For more than 100 years, some Princetonians have stood at the forefront of scientific discovery. This week, we ask our readers to join us in celebrating their stories.

OPINION | 02/24/2022

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A century after Einstein, is STEM education really breaking barriers?

A century after Einstein, is STEM education really breaking barriers?

Laya Reddy

“Co-creation environments in which everybody is a stakeholder and active participant in their education make people feel more included. Reworking the collaborative structure of precept as an opportunity to solve real-world problems and create new ideas could be a great jumping-off point for the STEM curriculum.”

“Co-creation environments in which everybody is a stakeholder and active participant in their education make people feel more included. Reworking the collaborative structure of precept as an opportunity to solve real-world problems and create new ideas could be a great jumping-off point for the STEM curriculum.”

OPINION | 02/24/2022

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Bureaucracies like Princeton trust the science until they don’t

Bureaucracies like Princeton trust the science until they don’t

Braden Flax

Just as the state preaches the gospel of science while withholding life-saving vaccines, so too are we put in a position where we must ignore health science at the expense of others because of the built-in incentive structures around us that offer no apparent alternatives. So, instead of buying into the condescending call for people to trust the science, we should consider building the kind of structural support that allows them to do just that.

Just as the state preaches the gospel of science while withholding life-saving vaccines, so too are we put in a position where we must ignore health science at the expense of others because of the built-in incentive structures around us that offer no apparent alternatives. So, instead of buying into the condescending call for people to trust the science, we should consider building the kind of structural support that allows them to do just that.

OPINION | 02/23/2022

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Free speech rules cannot be written without marginalized voices at the table

Free speech rules cannot be written without marginalized voices at the table

Mohan Setty-Charity

When we elevate more people from marginalized communities to positions where they can contribute to the conversation on what constitutes a real threat and harassment, we may have a more full and nuanced understanding of what speech should and should not be protected.

When we elevate more people from marginalized communities to positions where they can contribute to the conversation on what constitutes a real threat and harassment, we may have a more full and nuanced understanding of what speech should and should not be protected.

OPINION | 02/23/2022

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Take down the prerequisites guarding Einstein’s work

Take down the prerequisites guarding Einstein’s work

Rohit Narayanan

“As we celebrate the life of Albert Einstein, we should make an effort to make his scientific contributions accessible to all. As the humanities departments educate Princeton’s entire campus, the STEM departments shouldn’t be turning people away.”

“As we celebrate the life of Albert Einstein, we should make an effort to make his scientific contributions accessible to all. As the humanities departments educate Princeton’s entire campus, the STEM departments shouldn’t be turning people away.”

OPINION | 02/21/2022

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Pursuit of self-affirmation at Princeton: The Bicker process

Pursuit of self-affirmation at Princeton: The Bicker process

Andi Grene

“At Princeton, sources of validation are scarce, laying the groundwork for Bicker’s appeal. Bicker represents one of the few opportunities on campus to once again be told that you are special.”

“At Princeton, sources of validation are scarce, laying the groundwork for Bicker’s appeal. Bicker represents one of the few opportunities on campus to once again be told that you are special.”

OPINION | 02/17/2022

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Why Divest Princeton filed a legal complaint against the University

Why Divest Princeton filed a legal complaint against the University

Hannah Reynolds

“Today, we take our future into our own hands, with the hope that our advocacy will finally result in visible, tangible change toward mitigating the existential climate crisis at hand. We will not rest until Princeton divests.”

“Today, we take our future into our own hands, with the hope that our advocacy will finally result in visible, tangible change toward mitigating the existential climate crisis at hand. We will not rest until Princeton divests.”

OPINION | 02/16/2022

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Students who vote in Princeton should help defeat the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance

Students who vote in Princeton should help defeat the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance

John Kuhn Bleimaier

“Princeton student voters should encourage their elected representatives to vote against the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance which will be introduced before the town council on Feb. 28.”

“Princeton student voters should encourage their elected representatives to vote against the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance which will be introduced before the town council on Feb. 28.”

OPINION | 02/16/2022

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A PAA's case for University-endorsed free time

A PAA's case for University-endorsed free time

Johnatan Reiss

“The work, my students would tell me, was not necessarily exceedingly hard — there was just too much of it. In one meeting, a student and I tried to create a schedule in which they would finish all their assignments. Even with minimal sleep and very few breaks, we calculated a week's worth of assignments would take a week and a half to complete.”

 “The work, my students would tell me, was not necessarily exceedingly hard — there was just too much of it. In one meeting, a student and I tried to create a schedule in which they would finish all their assignments. Even with minimal sleep and very few breaks, we calculated a week's worth of assignments would take a week and a half to complete.” 

OPINION | 02/13/2022

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Spotify spreads COVID-19 misinformation: We must hold the platform accountable

Spotify spreads COVID-19 misinformation: We must hold the platform accountable

Gisele Bisch

“As daily consumers of content from distribution platforms like Spotify, Princeton students must recognize the importance of holding such platforms and their creators accountable.” 

“As daily consumers of content from distribution platforms like Spotify, Princeton students must recognize the importance of holding such platforms and their creators accountable.”  

OPINION | 02/10/2022

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The sham of meritocracy in Princeton admissions

The sham of meritocracy in Princeton admissions

Rohit Narayanan

“Princeton assigns residential colleges randomly for a reason. If only it could apply that same wisdom to the much more destructive system of college admissions that it helps perpetuate.”

“Princeton assigns residential colleges randomly for a reason. If only it could apply that same wisdom to the much more destructive system of college admissions that it helps perpetuate.”

OPINION | 02/10/2022

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When ‘home’ is thousands of miles away

When ‘home’ is thousands of miles away

Audrey Chau

“I know for me, Princeton will never replace the home that is thousands of miles away. Instead, it will be a second home built out of laughter and tears, memories and lessons, with people no less endearing than those who are waiting for me back home, as long as I open my mind and heart.”

“I know for me, Princeton will never replace the home that is thousands of miles away. Instead, it will be a second home built out of laughter and tears, memories and lessons, with people no less endearing than those who are waiting for me back home, as long as I open my mind and heart.”  

OPINION | 02/09/2022

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Why won’t anyone teach me math?

Why won’t anyone teach me math?

Abigail Rabieh

“We are often told of B.S.E or STEM students exploring the humanities to their heart's content, but I feel that we rarely hear of students in the humanities being encouraged to take scientific classes.”

“We are often told of B.S.E or STEM students exploring the humanities to their heart's content, but I feel that we rarely hear of students in the humanities being encouraged to take scientific classes.”

OPINION | 02/08/2022

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Learning from Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill: The importance of queer spaces and education

Learning from Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill: The importance of queer spaces and education

Lucia Wetherill

“It’s absolutely crucial that schools create safe places for this kind of exploration and that they provide students with the basic vocabulary needed to begin one’s journey. Princeton is no exception.”

“It’s absolutely crucial that schools create safe places for this kind of exploration and that they provide students with the basic vocabulary needed to begin one’s journey. Princeton is no exception.”

OPINION | 02/08/2022

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The attack on Dr. Mousavian

The attack on Dr. Mousavian

Frank N. von Hippel

“UANI’s attack on Dr. Mousavian should be understood for what it is: a hatchet job against a political opponent.”

“UANI’s attack on Dr. Mousavian should be understood for what it is: a hatchet job against a political opponent.”

OPINION | 02/06/2022

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Why is Princeton harboring a man who condones threats against American diplomats?

Why is Princeton harboring a man who condones threats against American diplomats?

Gabriel Noronha and Morgan Ortagus

“Hook’s efforts on Wang’s behalf were heroic. Unfortunately, Princeton University continues to employ a scholar — Dr. Seyed Hossein Mousavian — who amplifies the Iranian regime’s death threats against Hook and his family.”

“Hook’s efforts on Wang’s behalf were heroic. Unfortunately, Princeton University continues to employ a scholar — Dr. Seyed Hossein Mousavian — who amplifies the Iranian regime’s death threats against Hook and his family.”

OPINION | 02/06/2022

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It’s not just about Wax and Shapiro ’99: We can’t stand idly by while academic freedom gets thrown under the bus

It’s not just about Wax and Shapiro ’99: We can’t stand idly by while academic freedom gets thrown under the bus

Matthew Wilson

“We must vigorously and consistently stand up for the freedoms, including the freedoms of those whose views we loathe, that help ensure our college education is just that — an education — rather than merely a four-year vacation in an ideological safe space.”

“We must vigorously and consistently stand up for the freedoms, including the freedoms of those whose views we loathe, that help ensure our college education is just that — an education — rather than merely a four-year vacation in an ideological safe space.”

OPINION | 02/03/2022

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Matter over mind: You’ll get out of this what it’s willing to give

Matter over mind: You’ll get out of this what it’s willing to give

Braden Flax and Julia Chaffers

“The issue with society’s focus on mindsets is not that the model is completely bogus — it is true that we should believe in our ability to grow and improve, and we shouldn’t become completely defeated when we fall short.” 

“The issue with society’s focus on mindsets is not that the model is completely bogus — it is true that we should believe in our ability to grow and improve, and we shouldn’t become completely defeated when we fall short.” 

OPINION | 02/03/2022

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Making money in the concrete jungle: Prioritizing financial literacy for everyday Tigers

Making money in the concrete jungle: Prioritizing financial literacy for everyday Tigers

Laya Reddy

“When traditional schooling prioritizes core academic subjects such as math, science, languages and social sciences, it often leaves practical education such as personal finance to the wayside.”

“When traditional schooling prioritizes core academic subjects such as math, science, languages and social sciences, it often leaves practical education such as personal finance to the wayside.”

OPINION | 02/02/2022

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Let’s actually take a break over winter break

Let’s actually take a break over winter break

Ava Milberg

“While we are often convinced that we must fill our days with impressive and fascinating agendas, sometimes what we need most is some bona fide rest.”

“While we are often convinced that we must fill our days with impressive and fascinating agendas, sometimes what we need most is some bona fide rest.”

OPINION | 02/02/2022

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