Opinion

Rethinking diversity: part I

Many of us will have the opportunity to move to very small and rarified circles after graduation, running the risk of never quite coming back down to earth and interacting with people whose life paths are drastically different from our own. But these interactions are critical to the process of understanding ourselves in relation to society, a core component of diversity.

Activities fair: hold the crazy

I walked into the fair with a plan. I knew which three groups I wanted to scope out, and I was ready to power through the crowd. Get in, get signed up, get out. Oh, how clueless.

Breaking into China

I’m an advocate for study abroad. But I would argue that a study abroad experience that doesn’t include an active research component that engages you with the people of the country is a waste of time.

Cartoon: Life as an alternate

Editorial: A more accessible McCosh

The particular 50 hours offered by McCosh tend to fall at times inconvenient for a student schedule, which is unfortunate given that McCosh’s services are aimed primarily at students. Consequently, we urge the University to adjust them.

For the love of language

Given this self-consciousness, it would be best for all students, regardless of background, if all language courses were separated into native and non-native sections throughout entire language departments.

Cartoon: The top six religions on campus

Condoms and Consent

If two individuals, both of whom are capable of informed consent, engage in sex, it seems to be understood by consensualists that the act cannot be justly called impermissible. And so we see that while other moral characteristics help frame the discussion, to the consensualist, the presence or absence of consent is ultimately what determines whether a sexual act is permissible.

Confronting religion

The policy of minimizing religious differences adopts the political correctness of indifference to skin color, nationality or sexual orientation and applies it to religion. You’re an Orthodox Jew? We won’t tell. And yet — would a French student appreciate being told that nobody will notice her accent? Why promise a gay teenager that nobody in his peer group knows of his orientation if he is open about his sexuality? These assurances imply that there is something embarrassing about the student’s identity. Moreover, religion, unlike the aforementioned categories, is a choice. If anything, the assumption upon encountering people with unusual religious practices should be that they are proud of their faith.

Cartoon: Princeton spending report revealed

Improving conversation

We have a two-fold problem: a competitive rather than collaborative approach to class discussion and an emphasis and value, real or perceived, placed on quantity of remarks over quality. This attitude is unfortunate and misguided, as further developing someone else’s point demonstrates the ability to make connections and think more deeply — traits which are just as indicative of intelligence and effort as bringing up a new idea.

Editorial: Off-campus trips

Given that the disadvantages above are perfectly justified, indeed, college-based budgets used to purchase group tickets are limited, and recognizing that political activism, performances and exhibitions can be important to many Princeton students, the Editorial Board recommends that the University look into alternative ways to sponsor trip opportunities for a wider student pool.

Misplaced pride

Princeton’s attempts to make me a crazed devotee of Butler are off-putting and confusing in their intensity and irrationality. In doing so, Princeton is asking me to bypass one of the most important parts of college: the discovery of who I am and what I believe in.

The neglected South Asian program

So while Princeton prides itself in its commitment to providing students a transnational perspective (recall “in the service of all nations”) it must be wondered how merited the self-congratulation is considering the dearth of South Asian offerings.

Cartoon: Princeton: Where no one feels unique

It can't be taught

Steve Jobs was more than a skilled professional. Though he was indeed a great CEO, we remember him today not as a tech executive but as a culture-shaper.

Occupying Wall Street

I decided to attend Occupy Wall Street, the social justice campout that began in the financial district over three weeks ago, mostly out of curiosity. I first read about OWS in August when the Facebook event was sent around. The cynic in me didn’t take it seriously, this overly self-aware attempt to ride the wave of a more genuine Arab revolutionary spirit.

Editorial: Add a new co-op

Co-ops offer benefits that are unmatched by other aspects of the University community. They offer students a middle ground between eating club and residential college meal plans, and going independent. Co-ops can offer the social community, events and the common amenities of an eating club for students who simply prefer to avoid the social atmosphere of the Street.

Cartoon: Consumer Preference Theory

Here's to the crazy ones

From everything I’ve seen here in my two years and some odd months at Princeton, our greatest unconscious collective longing is to be the next Steve Jobs. It’s this little secret voice inside all of us that influences us to push harder and do more in every aspect of our lives.