Opinion


Editorial Notebook

Saying bye bye to HelloFresh

The idea of HelloFresh makes sense but it doesn’t always work for everyone. Associate Composing Editor Marissa Ho '26 explains why.

Editorial Notebook

RPI bats their eyes at another animal infestation

After spotting multiple bats on campus, students grow more concerned. Associate Composing Editor Rachelle Luo ’26 describes her experience and thoughts after witnessing a bat in class.

Editorial Notebook

The misunderstanding with mindfulness

Associate News Editor Alex Boyko ’26 explains the importance of mindfulness and why he struggled to understand it.

The Poly's Recommendations

What are The Poly’s favorite beverages?

Looking for some new beverage recommendations? Here are The Poly’s current favorites!

Editorial Notebook

Formula 1’s racist race fans

Managing Editor Gavin MacKenzie ’25 writes about the toxic environment Formula 1 fans have created.

Editorial Notebook

Students should take more advantage of EMPAC

Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 reflects on EMPAC, encouraging more students to use the space and attend events.

Editorial Notebook

Everything I learned in a day

Copy Editor Mattaya Gibbs ’24 recounts all that she learned while going about her day.

Editorial Notebook

The flaw in New Year’s resolutions

Oftentimes there is pressure to make New Year’s resolutions, but hardly anyone sticks to them. Contributing Editor Anna Stubbs ’26 explains why she stopped making them altogether.

Editor's Corner

The weakness of strongly encouraging

Editor in Chief Alexander Orr ’25 argues about the importance of proper communication and how an email from Martin A. Schmidt ’81 did it wrong.

The Poly's Recommendations

What’s The Poly watching?

Looking for some fun new movie and TV show recommendations? Here is what The Polytechnic staff have been watching recently.

Editorial Notebook

The effectiveness vs. non-effectiveness of finals

Are finals really that beneficial for learning? Editorial/Opinion Editor Soma Patra ’26 argues that the cons outweigh the pros.

Opinion

No one can agree who won the first RPI-Union football game, here’s why it should stay that way

The annual Dutchman Shoes game is always a highlight of the Rensselaer football season. The RPI Engineers and the Union Dutchmen have a historic rivalry which is the fifth oldest in NCAA Division III and the oldest in the state of New York. Yet, despite each meeting between the Dutchmen and Engineers adding to the legacy of this rivalry, no one can agree on who won the first game in 1886.

Editorial Notebook

Learning to lie

Should people be polite and lie or always be brutally honest? Composing Editor Ryan Hickey ’25 argues that there is a tenuous balance that must be established.

Editorial Notebook

How to train your AI

AI should always come with a killswitch, but Managing Editor David Liu ’22 argues that it’s a lot more complicated than we think.

Editorial Notebook

You’re not actually independent

Copy Editor Mattaya Gibbs ’24 shares a recent experience of hers, while commenting on a mistake that some fall prey to, in the search for independence.

Editorial Notebook

The problem with copyrighting music

I believe the idea behind copyrighting media is fair, but we’ve reached the point where it is no longer feasible or realistic to apply copyright rules to music.

Derby

Understanding the Union Annual Report

For the past month, the Rensselaer Union Executive Board has been focused on preparing for the annual budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2024. Currently, we are in Fiscal Year 2023 with the next fiscal year starting on July 1, 2023.

Editorial Notebook

The importance of better vegetarian options

Rensselaer should have better vegetarian options for students. Associate Composing Editor Marissa Ho ’26 provides some ideas on how to fix it.

Editorial Notebook

Everything I Hate About My Favorites

Delving into her love of literature, Features Editor Soma Patra ‘26 discusses some of her favorite novels, and everything she dislikes about them.

Editorial Notebook

The Appeal of Being Real

Is BeReal worth the hype? Associate Editorial/Opinion Editor Anna Stubbs ’26 reasons it’s the social media the generation should be proud of.

Opinion

Why you should incorporate Duolingo into your daily routine

Photography Coordinator Audrey Lewis has been regularly using Duolingo for a year; here’s why they think you should start.

Opinion

Taylor Swift is a vibe for every occasion

Anna Zuniga ’26 and Justin Chassin ’22 G demonstrate that Taylor Swift’s broad discography covers any mood or situation.

Opinion

The power of door decoration

Dorm decorations can help change your dorm’s personality and Annelise Eggen-McElmurry ’27 explains how they can be as simple as a Post-it note.

Top Hat

The state of shared governance

Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’23G gives her take on a previous article by past Grand Marshal Advaith Narayan ’21.