Opinion

How do economists define "rationing"?

Almost all desirable goods and services in an economy must be rationed somehow — either through the market or by government. One can have a lively debate on which of these approaches to rationing is “better.” It would be a highly subjective assessment, driven in good part by one’s ideology or position in the nation’s income distribution, or both.

Respecting the referendum

This paper ran two articles last week covering certain controversies surrounding the Conflict of Interest Reduction (CIR) referendum. As the original sponsor of the referendum, I wish to voice my thoughts on this matter.

Orange with a touch of crimson

Princetonians can rally behind an orange sword aimed at a crimson-colored shield, creating cohesion in the process.

PrinceCast #22: Toilet Paper and the USG, Freshman Scholars Institute and KAUST

Editorial: Yaroshefsky for USG president

After interviewing each candidate and weighing their skills, this board believes the best choice for USG president is Yaroshefsky.

Much ado about money

Doubtless, there are many students out there with potential who have had to overcome significant obstacles in their lives, but admission officers cannot rely on blind faith by admitting a student who has not excelled, regardless of whence they come.

Cartoon: Important commitments

Cartoon: Lolsquirrels

Little platoons

Are our obligations to our family proportionate to our geographic distance from them? Does the acceptability of shameful decisions increase as the train approaches Princeton Junction?

Facing the realities of Facebook

When I tell friends that I don’t have a Facebook, their eyes widen. Then they gush support for my decision. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking I should do that too,” they say. “It takes up so much time!” But I didn’t deactivate my account because I felt like I wasn’t productive enough.

On encouraging Rhodes Scholars

I can honestly say that I would never have applied for the Rhodes later that same August had Dean Frank Ordiway not e-mailed me encouraging me to do so. Thankfully, I had enough good sense to respond to his e-mail and to explain to him why I wasn’t planning to apply. What he replied, in short, was: “Let us or the Rhodes committee reject your application: Don’t reject yourself.”

The freedom of being B.S.E.

Using those very structures that some perceive as oppressive, the B.S.E. program ultimately allows us the most intellectual freedom.

Cartoon: Life lessons

Dissent: On grade deflation

The Editorial Board offers a majority and dissent on grade deflation.

Editorial: On grade deflation

The Editorial Board offers a majority and dissent on grade deflation.

Warming up to skeptical engagement

“Can you delete any e-mails you may have had with Keith re AR4?” It sounds like a shady government conspiracy about torture or ethically questionable pardons.

Cartoon: Black Friday

Flying home

A typical college road trip, save our final passenger: a live goose.

Functional families don't play Scrabble

Real families happily argue in cars and throw things at one another in a healthy manner. They aren’t forced into contrived family bonding activities, whether they are board games, camping trips or potato sack races.

A changing profession

Princeton expects a lot of its professors. We are supposed to teach gifted undergraduate and graduate students; run or help run departments and programs; and do original research — research that pushes the borders of our fields. We also collaborate with colleagues here and around the world, organize meetings and workshops, edit, and serve as referees, judge fellowship and prize competitions and hire new colleagues. It makes for a busy life.