Editor's note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.
One of my roommates thinks tater tots are the worst form of french fries. Once he dropped that bomb in the group chat, everyone quickly disagreed, arguing the food item shouldn’t be considered fries in the first place.
Yes, they are both fried potatoes, but I think it feels wrong to use the terms interchangeably. Tater tots feel more like a breakfast item, and fries are the quintessential compliment for a burger. Although my roommate and I jabbed at each other through text, for the most part it was a healthy debate.
As much as I hate my roommate’s take, I appreciate him for bringing it up. It might seem like a waste of time to participate in this tater tot vs french fry debate or argue whether a hot dog is a sandwich, but I believe it’s good practice.
Hot Takes resurfaced at the IDS last year after a seven-month-long hiatus. Now, they’re seemingly back in full swing. I believe that, as long as the takes and subsequent debates remain respectful, it’s a fun and engaging section of the newspaper, and we should strive to keep it running consistently.
It could encourage newspaper readers to share their own hot takes on lighter issues. Interesting insights can come from debates unrelated to sensitive topics like politics, healthcare, or education.
One of my favorite series on social media is SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma. It features ordinary people on the New York City subway sharing their personal opinions on just about anything. While some of them seem outrageous at first, they’re always given a chance to justify their opinions. As the host, Rahma usually responds with “100% agree” or “100% disagree,” and this usually leads to interesting and entertaining dialogue.
I recently encountered a TikTok of someone on the series arguing that pets should have human names. Like humans, pets grow up, and the man doesn’t like the idea of infantilizing them with names like “Checkers” and “Butters.” The man’s dog, Marcus, is 6 years old, making his biological age around 44. Although Rahma initially disagreed with the take, he conceded that it makes sense for pets to have human names once they grow up. I think it’s silly, but it’s definitely good food for thought.
Reading the past Hot Takes, I encountered an interesting debate between IDS sports editor Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer and news editor Jack Forrest. Fuentes-Rohwer hailed Thanksgiving as the best holiday, citing anticipation as it prepares you for the holiday season. On the other hand, Forrest claimed it’s “the most character-less holiday around.”
I don’t feel strongly about Thanksgiving; it’s just okay for me. However, both editors raised compelling points, and did so without trashing anyone on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Our lives could always use levity, and these kinds of discussions about everyday topics can be fun and healthy. This kind of debate is significantly absent in modern politics. Just this past Friday, President Trump had a heated discussion in the Oval Office with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. It started out as a cordial exchange and later exploded into an argument with mentions of World War III.
Not only did this discussion threaten to sever ties between the U.S. and Ukraine, but it also caused a divide between the left and right in America. The left saw it as a disgrace for Trump, while the right praised him and J.D. Vance for being tough and putting America first.
We’re not all political leaders negotiating cease-fires or peace deals, but we are opinionated beings. The way we go about sharing our opinions can affect others, especially if we treat debates like arguments instead of discussions. We may feel strongly about our opinions, but that doesn’t give us permission to attack or belittle people who don’t think like us.
With this in mind, I encourage everyone to practice debating small things. Tell your friends you hate Star Wars, or you think pickles belong on pizza. Just remember to remain respectful and listen.
Joaquin Baerga (he/him) is a sophomore studying journalism.
