Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Sean Ericson

Sean Ericson, Columnist

Sean Ericson is an opinion columnist for the Daily. He is a sociology major and will be graduating in December 2022. He also writes about the social sciences for the Society Pages, an initiative of the University's sociology department. And he raises awareness about local government at Minneapolis Documenters. In his free time, he enjoys reading, cycling and spending time with friends and family.

All content by Sean Ericson
Ericson: Knocking down the ivory tower

Ericson: Knocking down the ivory tower

by Sean Ericson
Published May 1, 2023
A new generation of scholars spreads knowledge beyond the academy’s walls.
Ericson: No more red tape for green energy

Ericson: No more red tape for green energy

by Sean Ericson
Published April 24, 2023
We need to make it easier to build clean energy projects.
Ericson: The real welfare queens

Ericson: The real welfare queens

by Sean Ericson
Published April 14, 2023
Money for needy families shouldn’t go to fake anti-abortion clinics.
Ericson: War crimes are bad, actually

Ericson: War crimes are bad, actually

by Sean Ericson
Published April 11, 2023
The U.S. should engage more with the International Criminal Court.
Ericson: No more cab drivers with doctorates

Ericson: No more cab drivers with doctorates

by Sean Ericson
Published April 5, 2023
We can, and should, make it easier for immigrants to use their skills.
Ericson: Do I know it when I see it?

Ericson: Do I know it when I see it?

by Sean Ericson
Published March 28, 2023
It’s surprisingly hard for people to agree on a definition of religion.
Ericson: The persistence of a conspiracy cult

Ericson: The persistence of a conspiracy cult

by Sean Ericson
Published March 19, 2023
Lyndon LaRouche was an abuser and a fraud, but some still carry on his message.
The free market can be a good thing, but it needs to be clearly regulated.

Ericson: How big is too big?

by Sean Ericson
Published March 3, 2023
Monopolies need to be regulated more strictly
Ericson: The strength of weak ties

Ericson: The strength of weak ties

by Sean Ericson
Published February 17, 2023
Our most distant relationships can also be the most powerful.
Ericson: Red tape stands in the way of fighting poverty

Ericson: Red tape stands in the way of fighting poverty

by Sean Ericson
Published February 10, 2023
Administrative burdens prevent people from accessing helpful programs.
Ericson: How to make cities green

Ericson: How to make cities green

by Sean Ericson
Published January 30, 2023
Dense living has both positive and negative effects on the environment.
Ericson: Dinner with Hitler

Ericson: Dinner with Hitler

by Sean Ericson
Published December 15, 2022
Actual Nazis have become depressingly relevant.
Ericson: Now we’re cooking with gas

Ericson: Now we’re cooking with gas

by Sean Ericson
Published December 7, 2022
Stoves can be a source of pollution.
Ericson: Conspiracy soup

Ericson: Conspiracy soup

by Sean Ericson
Published November 30, 2022
Fringe ideas are increasingly mixing together.
Ericson: Ineffective altruism?

Ericson: Ineffective altruism?

by Sean Ericson
Published November 16, 2022
A powerful movement for good risks getting sidetracked.
Ericson: Preparing for the next pandemic

Ericson: Preparing for the next pandemic

by Sean Ericson
Published November 9, 2022
We can’t count on nature giving us a break. We need to start getting ready to save lives.
Ericson: Buyer beware

Ericson: Buyer beware

by Sean Ericson
Published November 2, 2022
Inadequate enforcement of regulations plagues the dietary supplement industry.
Creative Commons Interfaith Banner by Sean is licensed under CC BY 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22280677@N07/2295355354

Ericson: More and more of “none of the above”

by Sean Ericson
Published October 26, 2022
Fewer Americans are religious. But it’s more complicated than that.
Traditional formats of local news have been declining, leading to more pink slime.

Ericson: The rise of zombie journalism

by Sean Ericson
Published October 20, 2022
Partisan “pink slime” websites masquerade as local news.
Ericson: Build, baby, build?

Ericson: Build, baby, build?

by Sean Ericson
Published October 12, 2022
The 2040 Plan promises a better future, but how can we actually get there?
Ericson: Don’t let an election denier run Minnesota’s elections

Ericson: Don’t let an election denier run Minnesota’s elections

by Sean Ericson
Published October 4, 2022
Secretary of State candidate Kim Crockett thinks the 2020 election was “the big rig” and questions whether non-English speakers should vote.
Ericson: Fewer kids are poor — but still way too many

Ericson: Fewer kids are poor — but still way too many

by Sean Ericson
Published September 27, 2022
Child poverty has declined dramatically over the past few decades. But, there’s still much work left to do.
Ericson: Turn on the money hose

Ericson: Turn on the money hose

by Sean Ericson
Published August 4, 2022
We don’t spend as much on foreign aid as you think. That’s a shame.
Ericson: Instead of climate anxiety, try climate empathy

Ericson: Instead of climate anxiety, try climate empathy

by Sean Ericson
Published July 27, 2022
If you’re reading this, odds are, you’ll be OK. But others won’t be.
Ericson: Abolish the Senate

Ericson: Abolish the Senate

by Sean Ericson
Published July 24, 2022
One state, one vote?
Ericson: It’s about states’ rights – for real this time

Ericson: It’s about states’ rights – for real this time

by Sean Ericson
Published July 11, 2022
Federalism doesn’t just belong to conservatives.
Ericson: In case of abortion emergency, break glass

Ericson: In case of abortion emergency, break glass

by Sean Ericson
Published July 4, 2022
Roe is dead. Resuscitating it could take a long time — but there are many things Democrats should be doing right now.
Ericson: Our friend, the murderer

Ericson: Our friend, the murderer

by Sean Ericson
Published June 28, 2022
The U.S. alliance with Saudi Arabia is a moral stain on our nation.
Ericson: The next insurrection

Ericson: The next insurrection

by Sean Ericson
Published June 21, 2022
The forces that created Jan. 6 are still with us.
Ericson: What does the price of rent mean to you?

Ericson: What does the price of rent mean to you?

by Sean Ericson
Published June 13, 2022
From abortion bans to climate change, the cost of housing has a ripple effect.
Episode 95: The toll of I-94, 35W and their futures

Episode 95: The toll of I-94, 35W and their futures

by Sean Ericson
Published April 28, 2022
The Daily reported on how two highways affected BIPOC communities in the Twin Cities during and after construction. Neighbors and organizers put forth their ideas for the future of these highways.
Episode 93: How the worker shortage affects M Dining

Episode 93: How the worker shortage affects M Dining

by Sean Ericson
Published March 17, 2022
Since the pandemic began, UMN students and administration have seen a worker shortage in residential dining halls. Staff members discuss the effects of the shortage on student workers and administrative hiring efforts.
Episode 91: Students discuss UMN minimum wage

Episode 91: Students discuss UMN minimum wage

by Sam Moser and Sean Ericson
Published February 10, 2022
The University’s CBS and Institute on the Environment recently raised minimum wages for student workers to $15 or above. 
Letter to the Editor: We can change how police operate to increase accountability for violence and mistreatment

Letter to the Editor: We can change how police operate to increase accountability for violence and mistreatment

by Sean Ericson
Published December 13, 2020
The Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar has proposed creating an elected civilian oversight board with significant powers, and the organization Campaign Zero has a list of eight key policies that have been proven to reduce police violence.
Letter to the Editor: Confronting housing affordability requires innovative research

Letter to the Editor: Confronting housing affordability requires innovative research

by Sean Ericson
Published December 3, 2020
Building more dense housing is a vital task for reducing housing prices, and as Jonathan Ababiy points out, zoning laws present an impediment to this goal.

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