Opinion

Editorial

Editorial: Generative AI can’t replace student journalism

By The Editorial Board | November 20

Since ChatGPT first made its splash entry into the market in November 2022, worries over the use of generative artificial intelligence and large language models have begun to surface. In recent semesters, we have seen faculty at Tufts begin to swap take-home papers for in-class exams in order to fairly test student understanding of course content and prevent cheating. In the Student Accessibility and Academic Resources Center, writing support staff have repeatedly been given new guidelines on how to deal with the use of generative AI in academic writing. Even within the Daily, we have received submissions that were suspected to be AI-generated and sourced using AI.

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Viewpoint

SNAP benefits went dark during the government shutdown — why should Tufts students care?

By Olivia Zambrano | November 20

Roughly 41.7 million people rely on assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. When the government shut down on Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that maintaining SNAP benefits wasn’t a priority — leaving nearly 42 million individuals across the country unsure of where their next meal would come from.

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Guest

Op-ed: Somerville’s Question 3 undermines peace

By Justin Klekota | November 19

On November’s ballot, Somerville voters were asked whether the city should divest from companies doing business with Israel. While many voters saw it as a symbolic gesture, Question 3 remains extremely problematic. The measure’s main organizer, Somerville for Palestine, claims to stand for justice, but their rhetoric and continued agitation threaten Somerville’s unity.

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Guest

Why many American Jews are wary — and fearful — of Mamdani’s rise

By Tufts Friends of Israel | November 14

American Jews have long been considered one of the country’s most politically liberal groups, with over 70% identifying as Democrats according to the Pew Research Center from 2020.

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Guest

Op-ed: The cOUnteR-revolution: A restoration of the people’s forum in Medford

By Emily Carney | November 13

The ballot box in last week’s election symbolized the state of Medford — divided. The numbers depicted a city split into two primary voting blocs: Our Revolution Medford and the independents. Allied candidates tended to yield similar vote counts, indicative of bloc voting, while tight margins between groups and increased support for non-ORM candidates suggested a narrowing divide. For the independents, the gains were significant, but not enough to claim new seats. Not this time.

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Viewpoint

Tufts admin, it's time to rethink your graduation requirements

By Liam Chalfonte | November 12

Tufts’ graduation requirements are a behemoth. Without previous credit or double-counting courses, they make up about half of the classes students take at Tufts. This means Tufts has some of the most extensive requirements among peer institutions, with more courses needed than schools like Wesleyan and Northeastern — not to mention Amherst, which doesn’t have any required courses beyond the major. Between college writing, language and culture, world civilizations and distribution requirements, students spend many semesters completing required courses that may draw them away from classes they find interesting or that would benefit their lives or careers.

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Column

The Bigger Picture: Beauty doesn’t always age like fine wine, but beauty standards sure do

By Linda Huang | November 12

“MEN WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND!” screamed my housemate, after we finished watching “The Substance” (2024) — the exact same reaction I had after seeing “Sunset Boulevard” (1950) for the first time last Saturday at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square.

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Column

Through Indigenous Eyes: Our American responsibility

By Sorsha Khitikian | November 10

My mom and I share a love of Indigenous history and a good hike. Thus, when my grandmother recommended Bandelier National Monument as a stop on our road trip, we both jumped at the chance. Located near Los Alamos, N.M., Bandelier is home to ancient Pueblo ruins. When we arrived, we were both ready to get our hiking boots on. However, the second we got to the park, I knew something was wrong.

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Viewpoint

Trump, the media and our desensitization to violence

By Monica Reilly | November 6

On Oct. 14, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a video on Truth Social of a deadly strike placed on a boat off the coast of Venezuela. With a highly active social media presence, Trump is known for his frequent communication with the public via sites like X and Truth Social. However, posting videos of a lethal mission is a new development and is indicative of a larger trend towards violence under the Trump administration.

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Viewpoint

Look up! You never know what you’ll see

By Michaela Loughran | November 6

Let me ask you a question. Can you remember the last meal you ate: the texture of the food, the way it tasted as it slid across your tongue, the way it made your body feel? Or, were you doing an assignment, scrolling on TikTok or engaging in any countless other distractions while eating mindlessly, with no real thought of the food in front of you? If, as I suspect, you answered yes to the latter set of questions, I am not going to chastise you. In fact, I am literally multitasking right now, munching on a mozzarella and tomato sandwich from the Commons Marketplace while writing this article. Sometimes our schedules get too busy, and it honestly feels like we don’t have a choice.

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Viewpoint

Is critical thinking a crime now?

By Linda Huang | November 6

A few weeks ago, I was doomscrolling Instagram and came across a Wall Street Journal post titled “Mamdani Is Promising a Cheaper New York. But Can He Afford to Pay for It?” When I opened the comments, I was disappointed but not surprised to see that the first comment said: “media propaganda is out in full force against him,” followed by over 1200 likes. 

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Opinion

Netflix’s “Adolescence”: What is happening to young men?

By Jachin Lam | November 5

With awards season approaching, Netflix’s limited series “Adolescence” has gained significant traction from both the public and acclaimed critics, having already hadimmense success and historical wins at the Emmys last month. Much of the show’s attention surrounds its subject matter, tackling rising issues such astoxic masculinity and the online radicalization of young men, both of which have been plaguing the internet in recent years. 

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Column

Forgotten Fronts: The world has failed el-Fasher

By Alexander Degterev | November 5

A new Srebrenica massacre is now upon the world, and much like the U.N.’s inaction then, the international community’s continued apathy will now allow for yet another mass slaughter in Sudan.

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Guest

Op-ed: Please vote No on Question 3 in Somerville

By Somerville United Against Discrimination | November 3

We are writing to respectfully ask that voters across Somerville vote “no” on Question 3. This ballot question does nothing to constructively help Palestinians and instead hurts our neighbors — and our city itself. Implementing the question is illegal, sows division in our community and diverts attention and resources from urgent issues facing our city.

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Column

Through Indigenous Eyes: Native authenticity

By Sorsha Khitikian | October 31

On every road trip, there’s a point where you get a bit bored. The scenery outside looks identical for hundreds of miles. The playlist you’ve made? You’ve already listened to it twice. You’ve spent so much time with the people you’re driving with that there’s nothing left to talk about. ...

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Guest

Op-ed: Somerville Jews say: Vote Yes on Question 3

By Members of the Somerville Jewish Community | October 29

As Jews, we have a unique relationship to the genocide in Palestine. We watch as the Israeli military murders, starves and displaces Palestinians, all while speaking the language in which we pray.

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Guest

Op-ed: The debate that holds us together

By Alexis Nuzzo | October 29

Nov. 4 can’t come fast enough. As a lifelong Medford resident, homeowner and taxpayer, I say this with the best of intentions: It’s been a long couple of years, and I’m ready for change.

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Columns

The Bigger Picture: Choose boldly, choose whenever you can

By Linda Huang | October 29

Humans are born to think that we are capable of developing a sense of basic autonomy and agency — the abilities to govern ourselves, free from external control or influence, and to make choices for ourselves to achieve an intended goal. From an early age, we learn that our frontal lobe will develop as we age, allowing us to eventually make independent decisions for ourselves and live life as we want.

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Viewpoint

Where are the women?

By Brooke Li | October 28

The class of 2026 at Tufts School of Engineering is 49% women. Yet, the department faculty is only approximately 35% women. The distribution of faculty rank reveals an even greater divide, with each increase in professorial position leading to a decrease in the percentage of women faculty. Approximately 45% of Tufts SOE assistant professors are women, a percentage that drops to approximately 25% for associate professors and 23% full-time professors. This begs the question: Why are female-identifying professors underrepresented in the Tufts SOE?

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Viewpoint

There is no acceptable amount of fascism

By Grant Moore | October 27

Only a few weeks ago, one of my roommates asked why people are calling President Donald Trump a “fascist.” My roommate wondered how, if American conservative ideals are so rooted in limited government oversight, free trade and the supposed ‘truth,’ Trump could ever be labeled as fascist. This made me think — are we too quick to judge, or should Trump’s tendencies really be flagged as the beginnings of a fascist regime?

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