Articles by Achilles Frangos
Journalism as praxis
But it is our friendship I hold closest. Now, over five months after my retirement from Spectator, it’s hard to imagine my senior year without you by my side: those cold winter days smoking outside Riverside Church and Butler; the “quick” calls that somehow lasted hours and ultimately turned into conversations about life rather than the task at hand; and those quiet days spent studying together.
People are trading traditional news for social media. It’s coming at a cost.
Jeff Bezos’ acquisition of The Washington Post in 2013 left many readers and journalists skeptical. Was it possible for one of the world’s richest people, and the CEO of a corporation as influential as Amazon, to uphold the independence and journalistic integrity of one of America’s most revered newspapers? Skepticism about the motives and practices of student publications, like their national media counterparts, is neither new nor surprising.
The citywide reaction to Aghayeva’s detention is a rare demonstration of what other ICE detainees deserve
The detention of Ellie Aghayeva, GS ’26, from her University apartment sent shockwaves through the Columbia community, New York City, and the entire nation.
Meet Opinion's spring columnists!
Tommy Barton is a sophomore at Barnard College majoring in philosophy and minoring in political science and French. She is from South Bend, Indiana, and yes, she knows who Pete Buttigieg is. She loves film photos, long dinners around big tables, and dancing. When she’s not hitting a generational lock-in at Butler, you can find her playing chess in the West Village, eating sushi at almost any restaurant that serves it, and dancing like no one is watching where the music is good.
Letter from the Editor: The power of a byline
The decline in discourse has been evident across campus publications. Spectator’s editorial page, which I have overseen for the past year, experienced a noticeable decline in submissions. Not long ago, our inbox received several submissions a day. In recent months, however, few members of the community have voluntarily shared their perspectives.
In search of effective leadership: Spectator Editorial Board on Columbia’s next president
[Heidelberg]: That’s a great point. And talking about the sort of experiences that equip a person to handle a university as large and diverse as Columbia, I do think that we need to have a discussion over having an academic background. So when we look at President Shafik, when we look at President Shipman, these are not individuals who have previously worked extensively within the faculty, within the academia, within the classrooms of a university.
Young voters aren’t politically apathetic, they’re fed up
For years, young Americans have been treated as politically apathetic. Numerous studies have shown that those under 30 are the least likely age cohort to vote, less likely to report feeling politically empowered, and more likely to express dissatisfaction with their choices in candidates. In the 2024 presidential election, youth participation saw a considerable decrease compared to 2020, and the share of young nonvoters rose from roughly one quarter to nearly one third. Gen Z is not apathetic.
Letter from the Editor: With the media in crisis, the editorial page matters more than ever
Too often, Columbia is portrayed as a university community with uniform ideologies. Some caricature it as a progressive, activist enclave where outlying perspectives are frowned upon and silenced. Others cast it as an oppressive place where any sort of student outcry is swiftly stifled. In reality, however, Columbia is far from a unidimensional, monolithic place. Disagreements over politics, policy, and identity play out constantly, often simultaneously.
Campus Speculations: Bacchanal 2025 Edition
Welcome back to Campus Speculations, the series where we ask Columbia affiliates their takes on all of the questions you’re dying to know the answers to. In this new episode of Campus Speculations, host Achilles Frangos and co-host Isabelle Bouvier chat with Columbia affiliates about their Bacchanal plans. Interviewee 6: We’re going to go to some parties. Interviewee 7: We’re going to Amity and then S[igma] Nu and then Bacchanal and then Cubes, and then we don’t know, wherever it takes us.
The Trump administration’s assault on Europe and the specter of the far-right
At Columbia, our liberal arts education is dedicated to instilling the values of liberal democracy. In our Contemporary Civilization classes, students delve into foundational democratic texts such as John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s On The Social Contract, and John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty.
Campus Speculations: Valentine's Day 2025 Edition
Description: Welcome back to Campus Speculations, the series where we ask Columbia affiliates their takes on all of the questions you’re dying to know the answers to. In this new episode of Campus Speculations, new host Achilles Frangos and co-host Ellessandra Taormino chat with Columbia affiliates about their Valentine’s Day plans. Interviewee No. 2: “Of course, I believe in love. I'm a writer, so I have to believe in such things.” Interviewee No. 10: “I dated my, suitemate freshman year.
Letter from the editorial page editor: On the power of voice in a time of turmoil
Hi, my name is Achilles Frangos, and I’m the editorial page editor for Spectator’s 149th managing board. In my recent inaugural piece, I outline my vision for the editorial page in the context of both campus turmoil and the country’s broader cultural shifts.
Letter from the Editor: On the power of voice in a time of turmoil
As we step into a new year and a fresh semester, I am struck by the profound shifts that have reshaped the contours of campus life at Columbia throughout the past year. These changes, which both tested our community and created enduring divisions, fundamentally altered the dynamics of our University. These challenges largely stemmed from our University administration’s inability to fulfill its basic duty to protect its student body and ensure the well-being of its students.
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