Iran’s growing nuclear capabilities
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Congress about one of the most pressing national security problems facing the United States. He articulated misgivings also voiced by congressmen in both parties and several of the U.S.’s Arab allies about an emerging nuclear agreement with Iran.
The MIT community in reflection
We probably do not remember exactly what each of us were doing or thinking a few nights ago, during what is usually one of the most relaxing times of the week: between Saturday and Sunday. But it might be worth trying to recall those hours for perspective. Some of us may have reserved that time for conversations, sleeping, partying, or thinking about the approaching summer as we stared through our windows at a snow-covered river. Amid our routines on that very night, Matthew Nehring, the student, beloved friend, and fellow staffer at The Tech, experienced the last hours of his life. The tragedy pains the community at MIT, which has already felt deep losses in the past year. Thinking about our physical proximity to this event, the negligible distances between buildings and rooms on campus, is chilling. In spite of the seeming closeness, the walls separated a single one of us from the rest of the community.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A student’s question at the Memorial Lobby event Tuesday evening haunts me: “What will you do so that we don’t forget?” She was referring to the life of Matt Nehring and to the impact of suicide on classmates.
Why MIT faculty should sign the petition to divest from fossil fuels
This article was originally printed in the January/February 2015 issue of the MIT Faculty Newsletter.
The importance of active commemoration of history
This year marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp. In honor of its liberation, Jan. 27 has historically served as International Holocaust Memorial Day. On that day this year, the BBC’s Big Question segment posed the following: “Is the time coming to lay the Holocaust to rest?”
The dangerous values behind the Lewin lecture takedown
With luck, the world will frown on the example set by MIT in taking down Walter Lewin’s physics lectures from OpenCourseWare.
While MIT sleeps, Night Watch keeps campus safe
New security policies in undergraduate dormitories have attracted considerable attention over the last year. While controversy has overshadowed the tenure of security contractor AlliedBarton, a more low-profile and less contentious unit, known as Night Watch, continues to operate quietly behind the scenes.
How fraternities should move forward
Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in the October 7, 2014 issue of The Tech.
Changes to drug & alcohol policies inconsistent and irrational
Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in the September 5, 2014 issue of The Tech.
The right (and wrong) reasons to buy into Bitcoin
Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in the November 4, 2014 issue of The Tech.
Enhancing student impact on community decisions
Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in the March 7, 2014 issue of The Tech.
Fighting sexual assault can’t be optional for MIT students
Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in the October 31, 2014 issue of The Tech.
OPINION IN REVIEW:
From specific changes to Institute policy to analysis of the evolving relationship between students and the administration, opinion contributors explored a wide range of issues relevant to the MIT community in 2014.
The Charlie Hebdo shootings and Islamophobia
Since the attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, people of all ages and beliefs have stood together to condemn the terrorists’ actions in what has proved to be an unprecedented global response. The hashtag “#JeSuisCharlie” quickly erupted on Twitter, trending at a peak of 6,500 tweets per minute the day following the massacre. On the Sunday after, presidents, prime ministers, and an estimated one million individuals participated in a solidarity rally that spanned the streets of Paris, all in support of Charlie Hebdo.
The unnecessary cost of net neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on new rules to enforce net neutrality on Feb. 26 since a federal court struck down its previous rules a year ago. However, the FCC may not get the chance if Congress preempts the vote.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Those who fear relentless pursuit by powerful men with troubling secrets can now rest easier: Peter Fisher wants to protect you. Last week, he explained that MIT removed Walter Lewin’s famous physics lectures from OpenCourseWare and edX, not to teach a lesson, but to protect potential future victims from coming into contact with the former professor. Clearly, removing his MIT office, phone, and email address would not suffice: after all, some determined but unsuspecting student might yet find a way to stalk him down. No, to shield the populace from Lewin’s possible predations, MIT must do everything in its power to purge all trace of his existence from the Earth (at least for as long as he lives).
MIT was right to remove Lewin’s videos
The outcry at MIT’s removal of Walter Lewin’s popular online physics lectures has been widespread, from online commenters to MIT professor Scott Aaronson.
Campus newspapers should be cautious when reporting accusations of cheating
Punishing cheating is not easy. Academic misconduct varies in severity, and accusations of it can be wrong. Purposeful leaders resolve these difficulties by trial and error. Over time, they cultivate a sense of fairness and a shame at unfair advantage. Fair ways of meting out punishment follow.
MIT’s alternative flavor of pride
On days when life at MIT seems particularly challenging, I sometimes find myself wondering whether my efforts are driven by pride or passion.