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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Opinion

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

On getting perspective

Being in the midst of some argument or worry, it can be hard to get a wise outsider’s perspective. This is why we often find ourselves monologuing, replying to day-old discussions while standing in the shower or driving. Time and distance give us a birds-eye view of our troubles; it can be hard, but we ought to give ourselves time to reflect on the bigger picture. Better perspective tends to lead us in the right direction.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

A follow-up about ‘freedom’

A reader’s comment got me thinking about what it means to have individual freedom. It made me consider why I feel comfortable harshly criticizing the country I love so much. Here’s my reply, point-by-point. The main thrust of it is we can’t afford to think we’re on top of the world. We are a great country, but we got here through constant improvement, not arrogant complacency.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Stop 'Twitter-canceling' people and let them learn from mistakes

“You’re canceled” is an internet death sentence. Twitter users have been given a powerful tool, and they are using it irresponsibly. The concept of going viral on the internet gives every user hope that one day, if they tweet often and clever enough, they too can win the retweet lottery. If the Twitter community and their infinite wisdom decide that your tweet makes the cut, your tweet can have an audience as wide as former President Barack Obama’s. Even if it’s only for 280 characters, you get to be slightly famous, and your tweet is seen by everyone who doesn’t live under a rock. I believe public opinion is dangerously susceptible to influence people from just a handful of viral tweets. A thread shaming a public figure can end their career.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Why drink decaf if it’s just bean water?

An open letter to all citizens of coffee-land who drink decaf: I do not understand you. I recognize the merits of coffee as a drink — its aroma, its flavors, its warmth as it hits your tongue. The small stains it leaves around the rim of your mug. The brown crop circle it leaves on your desk is endearing — its repose as a hazel-colored halo on what is likely meaningless desk paperwork. But for me, its main benefit is its ability to focus me on the task at hand. Coffee just doesn’t taste good enough to drink without the drug: caffeine.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Problem solving and originality lead to great innovation

As one of the 1,149 students currently enrolled in UF’s Innovation Academy (IA), I spend a lot of time thinking about innovation and entrepreneurship. Almost every 21st century company claims to be “innovative” or seeks “innovative employees.” This makes UF’s minor in innovation through IA attractive to students looking to have a competitive edge in the job market. Since we are now living in a knowledge and internet economy rather than a manufacturing one, the only way to create distinguished products that can compete for market share is to innovate. Most people know this, but they aren’t sure how to go about it.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Senate shenanigans

A couple of pretty important and interesting things happened this past Student Senate meeting, and I feel it’d be pretty helpful to mention them in tandem with whatever The Alligator reporter writes about the meeting as well.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Darts and Laurels

The only thing worse than having to stay in Gainesville over the summer is being here while there’s a tropical storm. Regional Transit System buses are cold enough without having wet hair and wearing soaked clothes, and unpredictable bus schedules could leave you dripping with the icy shards of Mother Nature’s wrath.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Uber tips for dummies

In the ‘60s, we were thinking about the future. We thought about how we might drive flying cars, cherish our housework robots and live on freeze-dried peas like spacemen. What we didn’t predict was an app that could send a chauffeur to your house in under a minute and take you wherever you wanted, all without the need to vocalize any directions or requests.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

An ode to Kate Spade

On Tuesday, the world learned that Kate Spade died after taking her own life.First, I want to start by saying please reach out for help in your own way whenever you need it. You are not alone. If you need help, you can call or chat online with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or find resources on campus.Second, I want to go into the mark Spade has made on my life. As materialistic as fashion can be, Spade’s designs brought joy, whimsy and professionalism all at the same time. Her products were often out of my college price range, but I was always drawn to them.In a world where I doubted being a journalist as people told me newspapers were a dying breed, her New York Journal clutch, tote bag and tumbler assured me news was trendy, needed and appreciated. Just like the world may doubt the need for $500 purses that I don’t have, Spade’s products told their own stories and held value outside of a capitalistic society.One of her lines was an ode to books, a notebook featuring a shelf lined with books including classics “Pride and Prejudice” and “Gulliver’s Travels.”Like newspapers, her brand could be one of tradition and creativity. Spade was one of the first things I saw when I came on a UF tour as a high school senior. In the bookstore while I waited for my time to view campus, I perused the bottom level and saw Spade’s products on the shelf among other stationery, lanyards and water bottles. My mom got me a notebook that I still have saved to use for a special project, when that time comes.My first big purchase was saving up my money to buy myself a proper wallet versus a square with a money slot, a couple of card spaces and Velcro before college. Many other shoppers share a connection with Spade and their first purchase, as the Glamour article “My First Kate Spade: 12 Women on How the Designer Impacted Their Personal Style” highlights.



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