Opinion

Stop sending us emails about your new AI thing

The potential extinction of the human race is grounds for expressing some concern. But, in Princeton email inboxes, recent public discussions of AI are altogether too frequent.

The potential extinction of the human race is grounds for expressing some concern. But, in Princeton email inboxes, recent public discussions of AI are altogether too frequent.

Why is Princeton so afraid of chalk?

Chalking upends the political order and tidiness of Princeton by forcing everyone — powerful players, ordinary students, and campus visitors alike — to notice what they see written on the ground. It claims a piece of campus, if only temporarily, for the drawer.

Read the news for more than just extra credit

Newsletters are everywhere, and they indubitably comprise an important part of the American news diet. So why am I catastrophizing about this one? Is it so wrong that news for college students be a bit more fun or accessible, especially in an era where less and less young people are reading the news at all?  

Newsletters are everywhere, and they indubitably comprise an important part of the American news diet. So why am I catastrophizing about this one? Is it so wrong that news for college students be a bit more fun or accessible, especially in an era where less and less young people are reading the news at all?  

Keep academic advising human only

When generative AI threatens academia in so many ways, both structurally and symbolically, it’s nonsensical for colleges to encourage its uptake through a tool that doesn’t really work in the first place.

When generative AI threatens academia in so many ways, both structurally and symbolically, it’s nonsensical for colleges to encourage its uptake through a tool that doesn’t really work in the first place.

The real crisis on campus isn’t cheating, it’s thinking

Further, a growing body of research confirms that use of generative AI undermines the cognitive effort that is essential to the development of the human brain. As AI use increases, learning, recalling, and critical thinking skills decline.

Further, a growing body of research confirms that use of generative AI undermines the cognitive effort that is essential to the development of the human brain. As AI use increases, learning, recalling, and critical thinking skills decline.

Trust in academia is at a low. Can Writing Seminar help?

Academia has a PR problem, and no amount of insular critical inquiry is going to solve it. Writing Seminars should live up to their name and teach us not just to solve thorny research problems but also to effectively communicate our solutions through clear and — perhaps more importantly — stylistically compelling prose.

Academia has a PR problem, and no amount of insular critical inquiry is going to solve it. Writing Seminars should live up to their name and teach us not just to solve thorny research problems but also to effectively communicate our solutions through clear and — perhaps more importantly — stylistically compelling prose.

Why is the recording policy being kept secret?

In denying new students — and faculty and staff, for that matter — the right to know what regulations they are subject to, Princeton makes violations likely and will end up unfairly investigating or disciplining community members who were unaware of the policy’s existence in the first place.

In denying new students — and faculty and staff, for that matter — the right to know what regulations they are subject to, Princeton makes violations likely and will end up unfairly investigating or disciplining community members who were unaware of the policy’s existence in the first place.

For readers to ‘come home,’ talk with us — not at us — about tech

I and other students in my year have heard endlessly from parents, teachers, and sensationalized headlines about the dangers of these technologies for as long as we’ve had them. But this often-narrow conversation leaves much to be desired.

Who governs Princeton? Austerity and the need for democratization

Faculty in all positions, staff, and students need to organize across the University around the costs and consequences of austerity, and demand elected representation with authority over how Princeton allocates resources and sets priorities.

Faculty in all positions, staff, and students need to organize across the University around the costs and consequences of austerity, and demand elected representation with authority over how Princeton allocates resources and sets priorities.

At a slight angle to the University

While our relationship with the University administration may not always be harmonious, our work ultimately serves to enhance the University’s core mission.

While our relationship with the University administration may not always be harmonious, our work ultimately serves to enhance the University’s core mission.

AI-resilient pedagogy must transcend the classroom

AI-resilient pedagogy must address an educational environment in which merely teaching information has become less important than providing students avenues for self-directed inquiry.

AI-resilient pedagogy must address an educational environment in which merely teaching information has become less important than providing students avenues for self-directed inquiry.

Can honor survive the 21st century?

The issue here isn’t principally where or how students take exams. It’s what kind of community you are willing to live in.

The issue here isn’t principally where or how students take exams. It’s what kind of community you are willing to live in.

Princeton’s buildings should not be monuments to wealthy donors

I suggest that we learn from our University’s name — which came from a geographical location — that there are other ways to name a building. There is nothing wrong with New College West or Prospect House.

I suggest that we learn from our university’s name — which came from a geographical location — that there are other ways to name a building. There is nothing wrong with New College West or Prospect House.

This law school does AI policy the right way

The University needs a cohesive AI policy so students know what to expect and are not defaulting to excessive AI usage. 

The University needs a cohesive AI policy so students know what to expect and are not defaulting to excessive AI usage. 

Be willing to give imperfect gratitude

With an abundance of people to whom we owe thanks, can we ever satisfactorily express our gratitude? Probably not — but we should at least try. 

With an abundance of people to whom we owe thanks, can we ever satisfactorily express our gratitude? Probably not — but we should at least try. 

In reversing divestment, Princeton chooses moral cowardice

As the world burns, Princeton will continue to be confronted with the eternal question: Which side are you on? With this decision, the University demonstrates that it remains squarely on the side of the climate deniers, the oil profiteers, the pipelines, the profits, and everyone but the people.

As the world burns, Princeton will continue to be confronted with the eternal question: Which side are you on? With this decision, the University demonstrates that it remains squarely on the side of the climate deniers, the oil profiteers, the pipelines, the profits, and everyone but the people.

Choose community, not consumerism

Our materialist orientation is at odds with more collective-oriented values, creating psychological tension and a diminished sense of wellbeing. At Princeton, we face this conflict daily, conflating chances to acquire goods with community-building. That plushie might seem free, but it comes at the cost of truly connecting with our peers.

Our materialist orientation is at odds with more collective-oriented values, creating psychological tension and a diminished sense of wellbeing. At Princeton, we face this conflict daily, conflating chances to acquire goods with community-building. That plushie might seem free, but it comes at the cost of truly connecting with our peers.

On your way to Firestone, stop by the Chapel

The University Chapel is the perfect place to engage in this rare and much-needed silent contemplation. Whether you are religious or not, you will benefit from taking a few minutes to sit there in silence and pray, meditate, or otherwise just think.

The University Chapel is the perfect place to engage in this rare and much-needed silent contemplation. Whether you are religious or not, you will benefit from taking a few minutes to sit there in silence and pray, meditate, or otherwise just think.

It’s time that Princeton caught up to its peers and showed postdocs what we’re worth

Princeton University’s postdoctoral researchers often see their positions as the opportunity of a lifetime. But, with the challenging hurdles posed by a low minimum yearly pay for postdocs, serious change is in order.

Princeton University’s postdoctoral researchers often see their positions as the opportunity of a lifetime. But, with the challenging hurdles posed by a low minimum yearly pay for postdocs, serious change is in order.

Grade inflation is making you miserable

A more substantial step is to normalize course or departmental means to a common figure — such as a 3.0 — and let variation return naturally around that baseline. Make a B+ in English mean the same thing as a B+ in economics.

A more substantial step is to normalize course or departmental means to a common figure — such as a 3.0 — and let variation return naturally around that baseline. Make a B+ in English mean the same thing as a B+ in economics.