The marketplace of ideas is a theory declaring that if everyone is allowed to freely voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas, the public will naturally choose the best quality “products” and truth will emerge from the jumble.

Unfortunately, history has shown that it usually isn’t the best product, but the best sales job that wins over an audience. Media attention is focused all too often in places that don’t warrant such consideration, opting instead to cover sensational or trendy subjects.

At the Golden Gate [X]press, we believe that the open discussion of ideas and opinions is the foundation of a relevant education. That is why this page is devoted to the ideals of democratic communication. Only succinct, well-supported opinions will be published, but no other restrictions apply.

Age-old arguments will not be settled here, but we will strive to stimulate discussion and encourage critical thought about issues that matter to our readers. In addition, this page will occasionally suggest courses of action for those that feel inspired to bring about significant change.

Now the only piece missing from our grand design is the one that needs to be filled by you - the reader, community member, and opinionated individual that can provide the rest of this campus with a unique perspective on the topics of our time.

And you have an audience - last year, over 25,000 SF State students opted to respond to a Student Pulse survey while they registered for fall classes. The statement “I like learning about issues from the point of view of different cultures” received the highest positive response – 96.5 percent put “Agree” or “Strongly Agree.”

While that sounds very sweet and open-minded, the incredible diversity of this school is often touted without much thought to what it really means to have such an eclectic mix of people. Half of the school’s new students last semester were transfers from schools across the country, and there are thousands of international students from over one hundred countries that have come here to study. Aside from different geographic perspectives, virtually every major language, culture, and belief system is represented somewhere on campus.

If you feel your particular background endows you with valuable insight, speak up! Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to have your voice heard and help us build a stronger bond among man- and womankind on this commuter campus.

Letters to the editor can be directed to jpasini@sfsu.edu, or Opinion Editor, Xpress Newspaper, SFSU Journalism Dept., 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco CA 94132.