November 14, 2023

In the last couple of years, ChatGPT and other AI chatbots have surged into the spotlight as “hot topics” across various domains. From our daily interactions on social media to headline news, these conversational artificial intelligence entities have become prominent features of our lives as well as in the classroom. They’ve found their way into our academic discussions, created questions on our homework assignments, and routinely make appearances in the fine print at the bottom of course syllab

How do you deal with academic stress and anxiety at Caltech? Here is an allegory to enlighten you about this manner: Inner Voice 1 (Superego): Oh sh*t, not again! Why does this always happen at the worst possible moment? I can’t believe I’m stuck in here with explosive diarrhea. Why does my stomach betray me like this? Inner Voice 2 (Ego): Okay, breathe. It’s going to be fine. Just breathe. Maybe it’s a passing thing. Deep breaths. I can get through this. Inner Voice 1 (Superego): Passin

Out in the depths of space lie phenomena beyond our understanding. They lie in the realm of quantum gravity, the insides of black holes, wormholes, and gravitational waves. Kip Thorne (BS 62’, Blacker) and Lia Halloran explore these topics through the mediums of verse and art in their new book, The Warped Side of Our Universe. I was lucky enough to get an interview with Thorne and Halloran for the Tech in anticipation of their talk at Caltech on Monday the 13th. They were both incredibly pa

Arriving at this institution from Denmark many tropes of the American, and indeed the Californian life seemed confirmed. Breakfasts of waffles, sweltering temperatures and affable attitudes. However, there’s one aspect that has struck me more than any other - the complete disregard for environmental concerns. From the very first day, the staggering amount of waste generated on t

After 20 years, ArroyoFest comes back! “This is for all the people who dream of a better city with safe bikeways, public transit, parks and open spaces, walkable streets and affordable housing and a visible, diverse cultural heritage,” says Marcus Renner, co-organizer of the first ArroyoFest. This past Sunday, thousands in and around the Pasadena area left their cars at home and dusted off their rollerblades, skateboards, and bikes to take the (hopefully not) once in a lifetime chance to

Way back in October of 2014, I rolled the dice and decided to see if there was any interest on campus in practicing mindfulness meditation in a group setting. Within a few weeks, we had a steady crowd coming to the Winnett Student Center, and I was delighted that the gamble had paid off. We dubbed ourselves the Meditation Mob, and last month we began our 10th consecutive year. This year is especially exciting because we’re finally returning to in-person meetings – and now that we’re back in

In the North and South House undergraduate residences, the walls are filled with colors and murals. The murals have been put up continuously over the years and represent a history of student life. In order to put up a mural, the design has to be approved by both the members of the house and by housing. Caltech Housing’s website states that their mural policy is in place to “support self-expression and also help foster an enjoyable and safe living environment for all house members.” Though th

At Caltech, a distinctive biology course introduces a new way students approach the life sciences. “The Biomechanics of Organismal Design,” taught by Professor Michael H. Dickinson, merges the concrete principles of physics with the dynamic patterns of biology. This integration offers a new perspective to students, particularly appealing to those with interests in mechanical engineering. The course tackles intriguing questions like how penguins swim, why maple seeds spin to the ground, and the