Opinion Columns
Lauren Agresti | Take it Easy
Recent studies demonstrated that self-compassion is a more effective motivator for self-improvement than self-esteem.
Rachel del Valle | 10 ounces too light
I had never thought of the coffee I drank every morning as something exotic. I thought every country would have it, every bodega. I’d depended on it, really — I wasn’t prepared to go without it.
Divya Ramesh | Such things (don't) happen
The sad truth seems to be that we need a tragedy to occur in order to mobilize change.
Xavier Flory | Higher grades, worse education
Creating a core curriculum could help with basic deficiencies in people’s knowledge and give the College of Arts and Sciences an identity.
Jeffrey Nadel | Financial 'aid'?
With Pell Grants, tax credits, federal direct loans and other aids, the federal government has accomplished the exact opposite of its stated goal — it has made a college education dramatically more costly.
Kurt Mitman | Holster the Hysteria
Certainly, it is troubling to read of robberies occurring one after the other. But the proximity of the two shouldn’t be cause for concern.
Morgan Jones | Bikram like Beckham
My exercise was limited to taking the stairs to my room in lieu of the elevator — and I live on the second floor. The weather had started to turn chilly and hot yoga didn’t sound so bad after all.
Caroline Brand | Me, myself and iPhone
We aren’t addicted to our iPhones per se — rather, we literally love them, as we would a spouse or parent.
Ali Kokot & Hayley Brooks | The broads abroad
Ali and Hayley here, and after a semester traipsing across the pond, we’re back!
Adam Silver | Why don’t we talk about it?
No child, man or woman should be a political football — especially in a time of fragility and mourning — but there comes a point when a political conversation is necessary.
JY Lee | Oh, the places you’ll go
Although we fear staying in college for more than four years and falling behind, I invite you to consider taking a gap year and time out for yourself.
Ernest Owens | 36 shades of Quaker life
This is my last column for The Daily Pennsylvanian. My goal for ‘The Ernest Opinion’ was to make you think and speak.
Aya Saed | The progressive believer
Religious organizations are fundamental to the fabric of American life, not because they establish “a moral compass” for the country, as many would attest to, but because they provide the country with a plethora of social services.
Lauren Agresti | Another side of Adderall
It’s concerning — but unfortunately not surprising — that Penn students are more concerned about how Adderall will affect the class curves rather than how prescription-grade cocaine is dispensed by health care professionals like candy.
Kurt Mitman | It’s time we tax God and altruists
If we want to get our fiscal house in order — and help avert the fiscal cliff — we should eliminate the deductions and start treating churches like the corporations they are.
Adam Silver | Looking over the cliff
Although a deal is all we hear about now, we didn’t talk about it during the election. While the deficit is scary, it isn’t what people or candidates care about.
Alexa Nicolas | A capitalist with conviction
As you meander through checkout lines everyday, just consider what you’re buying and whom you’re supporting.
Ernest Owens | Irreconcilable differences
I cannot say that my role as an elected representative on campus has been best used to advocate for students. Many campus issues that I encountered as a Quaker have not been addressed by the UA.
Yessenia Gutierrez | Affirmative action applicant
A focus on socioeconomic status without looking at race wouldn’t address the problems affirmative action seeks to remedy.