Opinion

A black background features abstract eyeball designs, with a red outline of a person and yellow caution tape reading various phrases.

COLUMN | An ethical dilemma with true crime

By Emily Boyle | Columnist | February 18

If anyone today were to browse the contents of any news, streaming or podcast platform, it would not be long until some form of true crime media appeared. In our daily lives, we are undeniably surrounded by crime, and know or even experience detrimental effects that these can have. Witnessing the tragedies that happen to friends, family, neighbors and even ourselves is painful. It’s obvious to all of us that horrific crimes and the trauma related to them are nothing to take lightly. So why, then, can we not get enough?

Two girls in white dresses are joyfully holding hands while running through a grassy field with colorful flowers under a blue sky.

COLUMN | I, too, dream a world

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief | February 16

The writing world of the past was full of political commentary, and in today's age, art and music have become a common avenue of political expression. However, while many have swapped typewriters for canvases and microphones, most have lost this in regular dialogue, claiming they're "not a political person." However, in a time of political uncertainty and unrest, we can always fall back on older texts. Langston Hughes' works, “I, Too” and “I Dream a World” both offer guidance on loving our fellow man. While I, myself, am not a poet, I undoubtedly will always have the courage to love my fellow man and accept we're all America.

A hand holds a heart-topped mirror reflecting a large question mark, surrounded by pink roses against a soft pink background.

COLUMN | How can you love what you don’t even know?

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | February 13

Saying that you “love yourself” is nearly impossible if you don’t know anything about yourself. What you are essentially doing instead is enabling yourself to be the most convenient version possible.

A protestor at the ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, protest on Jan. 21, 2026 at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala. holds a sign that says 'It's OK to change your mind!'.

EDITORIAL | The paradox of connection

By Jordan Bynum Wright | Opinion Editor and Editorial Board Spring 2026 | February 6

Today, many people get their news from X, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. The problem with shopping news from social media is the simple fact that these platforms don’t care about fair, honest news coverage. Instead, the purpose of these platforms is to get people to continue scrolling. The problem that we have today is not about getting access to information, but rather the quality of information that we are getting. Social media is useful in many ways, but the news is not one of them. Instead, independent research is needed. We should, at the very least, search online to read articles about what’s happening in the world rather than believing the first person that we see on TikTok.

A pink figure with a head down and a pencil in hand creates a stream of sparkles and colors extending outward.

COLUMN | Art as a coping mechanism

By Cullen Emerson | Columnist | February 5

Let's try and find a moment where the chaos suffices and we can find the long lost peace of mind. Lauryn Hill spoke for all of us when she said she’s “gotta find peace of mind.” Where is the peace of mind? It’s seemingly nowhere. The chaos fills the lungs of world leaders and their spewing spit waters the soil of our moldable minds. Our minds expand with rage against the other side. That rage is oftentimes justified. What could help find peace of mind?

Typewriter with paper and envelopes, with side text reading, "Letters to the Editor."

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Mexicans deserve to feel safe at Auburn

January 28

I am one of many people of Mexican descent who make up the Auburn community, I write this letter to underscore that Mexicans and people of Mexican descent are community members at Auburn University. We are not a vague entity existing on the fringes of this town. We are not a political talking point. We are people sharing this university space with you. By not specifically addressing what took place on Saturday and the harm that it does to people of Mexican descent on our campus, President Roberts and his administration frame this event not as a real act of violence. The university must acknowledge what has occurred and, instead of making wishful generalities about our community values, make those values actionable on behalf of all its community members. Auburn won’t be those things unless it does them.

Envelopes flying into a mailbox that reads, "Letters to the Editor."

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | On campus safety

By Kate Craig | Associate Professor | January 26

On Saturday, Jan. 24, I participated in a peaceful protest over the actions of ICE in Minnesota, and especially the shooting of Alex Pretti, at Toomer's Corner from 5 to 6 p.m. Many hurled insults in response to the protest that I found personally disgusting and a poor reflection on Auburn, but as a history professor, I believe in the importance of free speech.

Artist casts a shadow on his own painting.

COLUMN | Can we ever separate art from its artists?

By Jordan Bynum Wright | Opinion Editor | January 13

Sometimes, our favorite pieces of art are created by objectionable artists. So how do we square the art that we love so much with the oftentimes unsavory individuals that make it?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Veteran appreciation

By Michael K. Lennon | January 12

Auburn has more than 150 years of history transforming college students into military officers. During that time between 14,000 and 18,000 young men and women have left The Loveliest Village on The Plains to become officers in our Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force. Auburn should put some effort into honoring our military from the Auburn community who gave their lives in the line of duty. These days less than one percent of our nation serves in our military, about six percent of our population are veterans. If Auburn is going to tout and brag about their support for the military and veterans, they should honor all of those who died in service of our great nation.

Auburn Plainsman senior, Ella Walton, poses in Ralph Brown Draughon library.

COLUMN | Wanted: The art of journalism, dead or alive?

By Ella Walton | Newsletter Editor | December 22

Let me preface with: forgive me, Plainsman. I meant not what I said three years ago, on that rainy campus tour of Auburn. I don’t believe my 18-year-old self, who declared journalism’s time of death prematurely, could fathom the metaphorical home I’ve made for myself in journalism’s embrace. The art of journalism is alive in those that keep it so: in my fellow journalists, in each interviewee we come across, in our dear readers. To you all, I say, thank you for bringing a previously undiscovered part of me to life.

A figure in black climbs a rope above red laser beams directed at a pedestal featuring a diamond icon.

COLUMN | Are art heists anything like the movies?

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | December 21

After the recent heist at the Louvre, it appears anyone with a ladder and angle grinder can steal some of the most valuable art in the world.

A girl sleeps on blackboards with a paint brush in her hand.

COLUMN | Memories make art meaningful

By Cullen Emerson | Columnist | December 11

Memories are what make art meaningful. Being able to experience emotion is what makes art meaningful. Being able to open your eyes and breathe brisk autumn air this fall is what makes art meaningful. The world is constantly telling you what makes art meaningful subtly in everyone's day-to-day life.

A computer webpage depicts a dull screen of a person asking an AI to draw a cat for them.

COLUMN | Artificial intelligence cannot create true art

By Cullen Emerson | Columnist | December 5

Art is effort. Art is passion. Art is human. Artificial intelligence is none of these things. The only person that allows you to be an artist is yourself and your own striving towards creative creations. A homogenous pool of bland and uninspired pixels of artificiality can’t express humanity or love – and never will. So, I really hope we can turn around from artificial intelligence "art" before it's too late.

Papers with geometric sketches, handwritten notes, and a palette of colored circles alongside a paintbrush.

COLUMN | The weak link of STEM students

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | November 25

STEM students consistently overlook the arts as a study that is both necessary and worthy in the pursuit of STEM innovation. Here is why that needs to change.

COLUMN | The effect of AI on STEM students

By James Dewberry | Columnist | November 19

To the Auburn STEM students, 8,132 of which make up the undergraduate Colleges of Engineering and Science and Mathematics alone, artificial intelligence is a terrifying prospect. As AI continues to develop, it will take a new generation of thinkers and scientists to adequately take advantage of these new mechanisms. It is not the end of employment and purpose but a new opportunity to understand the world more deeply.

A person sits against a door in a dimly lit space, looking at their phone with a scared expression.

EDITORIAL | AU Alert cries wolf

By Chase Morgese | Opinion Editor and Editorial Board Fall 2025 | November 14

The series of AU Alerts sent out Nov. 6 marked a catastrophic failure of Auburn’s security system. News of an active shooter struck fear across campus, to an extent likely unseen in years. Students cleared out of dining halls, hid in classrooms and reckoned with the fact that they and their peers’ lives might be in peril. Auburn is obligated to take accountability for its misstep and ensure nothing like it happens again. Any halfhearted attempts to do so should not be tolerated.

A container labeled "PROTEIN," an egg, a piece of meat, and a cup with a scoop inside.

COLUMN | Our unsettling obsession with protein

By Emily Boyle | Columnist | November 13

Starbucks announced its new protein lattes and cold foam that ranges anywhere from 12 to even 36 grams of protein for a single drink. Without focusing on the undeniable importance of protein, it’s safe to say this unanimous obsession speaks to the environment we have collectively created around our bodies and our never-ending fixation with them.

COLUMN | Environmental impact of generative AI

By Sam Gladden | Columnist | November 10

Many say that AI, especially generative AI, is our future; they argue there is no other option but to indulge this new technology, and we as a society are going to fully integrate it within the coming years. If this is true, we must find an eco-friendly way to go about it. As it is right now, AI is a waste of energy and a regurgitation of pre-existing work. We need to do better.

A student dreaming of the beach while sleeping on a desk with papers on it.

COLUMN | An econ-hater's guide to making the best of your worst classes

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | November 3

I was terrified to take economics in college after how much I struggled in high school. But so far my experience in Econ 4300 has been surprisingly painless, and is even pleasant at times. So what changed?

COLUMN | Should aerospace engineers take ethics?

By James Dewberry | Columnist | October 28

While Auburn sets the standard for engineering education, engineers themselves are at the forefront of human innovation. To be at the forefront asks not just “How do we?” but “Should we?” Every question of ethics is an important one, so why then does Auburn University not require aerospace engineers to take an ethics class?