This has been a pretty chaotic year for us here on Earth. In each corner of our own little societies, whether you’re reading from Asia, the Americas, Europe and beyond, we’ve each had a lot on our plate (on top of your no doubt already busy lives, of course). We’ve seen multiple contentious elections, some excellent movies, the MET Gala, the many different perspectives of Gen Z and everything in between.

Every article published in the Society section this year has presented us with thoughtful ideas and opinions, but a few stand out for their exceptional revelations or exemplary writing, or maybe they just made me think/laugh really hard.

As the Society editor, I’ve put together a list of five articles that I believe everyone should read. Consider this a brief summary of our year—a little TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) to highlight the key moments and insights.

A topic I’m sure most of the staff members of Harbingers’ and our readers resonate with. It’s a brutal multi-year long journey, and one that most students face or will face. While Maria Mitko’s article doesn’t give you a magical solution to all your problems, it’s certainly helpful to know that you’re not alone in this.

A question I’ve been asked and have wondered about myself, many times. It’s a hot topic for both Americans and the international community, with seemingly no end in sight. There’s no easy answer, but our publisher Alia Saphier tries her best to explain it and introduce solutions. It’s a very well researched article, and offers a very conclusive and detailed perspective on this topic, which has plagued US politics for far too long.

Another trend expanding out of the US is the legalisation of cannabis, which is, for sure, another hot-button topic for politicians. There are many sides for and against marijuana use, which Emilia Wilkin has covered in her article.

Life for girls and women in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly difficult and restricted under the Taliban regime, which is why it’s so important that their voices are heard. In her compelling opinion piece, Against all odds: Afghan girls want to learn, Zohra from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains why Afghan girls need a proper education.

Finally, to end on a less depressing note, I wrote about the growing esports industry, and how esports is a sport, period. It’s a bit of a lighter read among the numerous political and economic articles that we publish. I explain why I think video games should be given more attention and where the industry is headed. So, if you’re looking for a fun subject that’s probably new to many of you, this is it.

Our writers and contributors have worked very hard in 2024 to provide you with interesting pieces that cover a wide range of opinions and parts of our society. We hope to be able to deliver new insights and more thoughtful reads in 2025, but, meanwhile, have a wonderful holiday season, no matter where you are in the world.