Skip to Main Content
The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

The Falconer

The Falconer

The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

The Falconer

Opinion

In the digital era, notifications pile up on lock screens and ring at every hour. This article explored the consequences of digital notifications on our attention, memory and energy.

Overdue notification: release control

Sarina Feng, Editor-in-Chief October 7, 2025

6 messages, 1 missed call. 81 degrees in San Diego, sunny. Due tomorrow: HW 10/7. The buzz of a phone is now the metronome that propels the rhythm of modern life. Notifications pile up at every hour: we...

Schools focus on the controversy of using artificial intelligence (AI) for academics, but studies find that romantic roleplay and venting problems is much more common for teens using chatbots. This article examined the ethics of having AI take on roles associated with human empathy.

Computers as companions: Dangers of AI in mental health

Jessie Chen, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Workflow October 1, 2025

When 16 year old Adam Raine began texting the artificial-intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, his parents believed that it was helping him with homework. Instead, according to a lawsuit filed earlier in...

Swapping the race of a character has grown increasing prominence in the film industry, especially in the making of live action movies. The Falconer staff discussed the controversy surrounding race swapping and its impact.

Staff Ed: Race swapping in media

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor September 29, 2025

Imagine hearing that your all-time favorite childhood fairy tale is finally being adapted into a live-action film. You are absolutely over the moon with excitement. As you eagerly open the cast list, ready...

Apple Watches are just one of the many wearable fitness trackers available on the market. Reporters debated the advantages and disadvantages of using this technology in daily life.

Pro/Con: Personal fitness trackers

Sage Rosskopf and Emily Chao September 24, 2025

Pro - by Sage Rosskopf Efficiency is vital in today’s fast-paced society, and nothing enables it better than personal wearable fitness trackers. Products such as Apple Watches or smart rings surged...

Different cultures worldwide have different standards for animal consumption. From insects to guinea pigs, parrots to fertilized duck fetuses, many Americans consider some of these cultures' unconventional foods to be strange.

Diverse animal consumption: an ethical question?

Isabel Ji, Copy Editor September 23, 2025

A common question arises regarding the consumption of guinea pigs, parrots and other animals “too compatible” with humans: Is there really a line between uniquely tasty and nauseating? In reality,...

Amid tariffs and a potential stock market bubble, many Americans fear that the economy is falling into a dangerous recession. This article analyzed the validity of these concerns.

What recession looks like

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer September 22, 2025

Financial news is available far and wide with different outlets reporting different things. While some proclaim economic stability, others cry out warnings of a major recession. So where does the economy...

Charlie Kirk was a right-wing political activist known for co-founding Turning Point USA. He was assassinated on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University.

Deride, dismiss, distort: Charlie Kirk’s legacy in a divided nation

Claire Zhou and Joanne Liu September 19, 2025

When the bell rings after seventh period on Sept. 10, you walk down the stairs of the B-building and open Instagram by second nature. Instinctively, your thumb hits the sunset gradient of your friend’s...

A visitor wanders through halls of ancient artifacts, oil paintings and historical exhibits. The Trump administration cancelled ten millions of dollars of grants for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Undervaluing museums: A disservice to our personal growth

Emily Chao, Staff Writer September 17, 2025

Boring. Long. Ugh. For most people, that is what comes to mind at the thought of going to a museum. Hours spent aimlessly wandering cool, dark rooms of meaningless artifacts. Feet aching and exhausted...

The FDOT issued an order to paint over rainbow crosswalks in Florida. Is this a safety precaution or an act of oppression against the LGBTQ+ community?

Rainbow crosswalk removal: Suppression, not safety

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor September 10, 2025

Rainbow crosswalks: Are they truly a threat to public safety, or is it just a way for individuals in power to suppress political expression and gain control over the public? Throughout the country,...

Spanish teacher Viviana Alvarado-Gomez works on grading her students' tests. Alvarado-Gomez spoke about the importance of Spanish classes for native speakers.

Space for Spanish: Native speaker classes

Gabriela Morillo Dal Piccol and Priscilla Akin September 2, 2025

From French to Korean, Arabic to Chinese, each vibrant language spoken on campus is a reflection of our world’s diversity.  Although one of the most prominent languages spoken at the school is Spanish...

As seniors begin to work on college applications, the question of whether to apply to a college through the early decision process looms overhead. Reporters examined the advantages and disadvantages of applying early with a binding commitment.

Pro/Con: Early decision

Jessie Chen and Lana Weber August 20, 2025

Pro - by Jessie Chen Senior year, second semester. While most seniors are stressing over college essays and waiting months for decisions, you’re already wearing your dream school’s hoodie with an...

A student carries a Labubu keychain as they walk to class. Labubu originated as a character from Kasing Lung's series, 'The Monsters,' and were sold as Pop Mart toys beginning in 2019.

Labubu, rise of overconsumption

Joanne Liu, Opinion Editor August 19, 2025

With a row of sharp fangs and a sinister grin stretching across more than half its face, one devilishly iconic smile recently took pop culture by storm. Complete with the rest of her physique — bunny...

Load More Stories
Donate to The Falconer