Opinion
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Presence Over Perfection: A Holiday Message
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December has always been a month of contrasts. It arrives quietly, on the heels of a long semester, yet brings with it some of the busiest, most emotionally charged weeks of the year. The days grow shorter and colder just as our responsibilities intensify. We move between late-night study sessions and holiday gatherings, between feelings…
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The Myth of Productivity – Why It’s Okay to Take a Break
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The first few months of university are one of the stressful times for students. Whether it’s getting back into routine, joining clubs, meeting new people, or juggling part-time work with a full class schedule, life can start to feel overwhelming. Amid balancing everything, we often forget to dedicate time to ourselves. We, as students, or…
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Taylor Swift’s “Fate of Ophelia” Misses the Point of Shakespeare’s Tragic Heroine
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The title character of this song, Ophelia from Hamlet, is mischaracterized in the lyrics of the track The song Fate of Ophelia, written by Taylor Swift, is what I would consider a fun listen. It has a great rhythm and is fun to dance to. However, the title character of this song, Ophelia from Hamlet,…
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Students Feeling Tim’s Coffee Price Raise
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Their coffee price has risen by roughly 1.5 per cent, marking its first price adjustment since 2022 Tim Hortons has increased its coffee prices for the first time in nearly three years. With this, students at Wilfrid Laurier University are already feeling the effects of the rising prices. The company confirmed earlier this month that…
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The Brain-Training Cost of AI Shortcuts.
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What happens to critical thinking when we outsource the very process that cultivates it? AI is a slippery slope. Over the past half-decade, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) began as a novelty chatbot that could mimic conversation or tidy up an email but has quickly evolved into having a normalized presence on assignments at every level…
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Building Community Through Words: Reflections on My Time at WLUSP
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I started working for The Cord as a summer reporter last year. Before applying, I worked as a UX Designer in non-profit organizations and as an events and marketing intern at Blueprint Magazine. Although I enjoyed designing, I struggled to find long-term stability and began to wonder if it was time to explore a new…
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The Flaws of Post-Pandemic Car Designs
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Car exteriors are undergoing a subtle makeover. Pre-pandemic, many models were styled to look aggressive, with sharp angles, wide grilles and muscular curves that gave them personality. Now there’s a clear shift toward smoother, flatter and more restrained shapes. The new aesthetic feels futuristic, but not necessarily in a good way. Audi’s design chief has…
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The Poppy: A Bloom of Memory and Gratitude
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Every November, Canadians begin to wear a small, red poppy pinned to their jackets, sweaters and coats. Some hang them from rear-view mirrors; others place them gently on cenotaphs or graves. The simple, bright flower—made of fabric or crepe paper—appears everywhere in the weeks leading up to November 11th: Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy…
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Toys or Transport? Waterloo’s E-Scooter Program at a Crossroads
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The biggest threat to Waterloo’s e-scooter program isn’t mechanical failure or a lack of demand — it’s how people are riding them. The Waterloo region recently renewed and expanded its participation in Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program as of July 2025, after a successful five years of improvements to congestion and access to transport. However, the…
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Speed Cameras: Safety Measure or Revenue Machine?
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Road Safety vs. Record-Breaking Ticket Distribution Within a single year, speed cameras have gone from a niche concern to one of the most highly debated public policy battles in Ontario. Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE), and their questioned utility has come to dominate headlines across the province. What began as a safety measure in school zones…
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Serving the Waterloo campus, The Cord seeks to provide students with relevant, up to date stories. We’re always interested in having more volunteer writers, photographers and graphic designers.