# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=11 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 12 --- ## [Are we going to lose net neutrality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-lose-net-neutrality/773452)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 329\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-lose-net-neutrality/773452 "2025-01-03T21:36:46Z")
Is there any reason they wouldn’t remove these regulations, and if they do could it mean censorship of, or more difficulty in accessing, certain political viewpoints? I would hope that, if some of the big providers w… --- ## [Squatters--why is this allowed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squatters-why-is-this-allowed/1012450)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squatters-why-is-this-allowed/1012450 "2025-01-01T19:17:42Z")
with recent stories about squatters commandeering “occupied” properties and refusing to leave and declaring “illegal?” ownership, why are localities allowing this law to continue? What happened to property rights. Also, … --- ## [Are there any skill-based jobs that you could learn exclusively over the internet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-skill-based-jobs-that-you-could-learn-exclusively-over-the-internet/1012205)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2024, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-skill-based-jobs-that-you-could-learn-exclusively-over-the-internet/1012205 "2024-12-28T13:04:55Z")
For skills based, I mean jobs that you would start to work for a company with basic knowledge and as you work in the field you develop more and more skills under the guidance of more experienced people and professional d… --- ## [When would using nukes have worked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-using-nukes-have-worked/1011424)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-using-nukes-have-worked/1011424 "2024-12-22T18:10:53Z")
In the context of the Russo- Ukrainian war, people have speculated on if Russia would use nukes if only tactically to achieve victory; the consensus is that nukes wouldn’t help and would have grave consequences for Russi… --- ## [Is Trans fear driven by a fear of being deceived?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trans-fear-driven-by-a-fear-of-being-deceived/1010837)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trans-fear-driven-by-a-fear-of-being-deceived/1010837 "2024-12-18T18:14:23Z")
I had a thought, I don’t know how insightful it is, but I put it here for others to consider with me. One thing that stands out in all the anti-Trans conversations and topics is the fact that a lot of us are uncomforta… --- ## [The economic roots of fascism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economic-roots-of-fascism/1009349)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economic-roots-of-fascism/1009349 "2024-12-16T14:43:25Z")
The NYT published a chart (gift link) recently showing how much non-college-degree white men’s average income had fallen relative to everyone else’s. It was, well, graphic. In 1980, this group was the only one (on the ch… --- ## [Trump won. How fucked is Ukraine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-won-how-fucked-is-ukraine/1009761)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-won-how-fucked-is-ukraine/1009761 "2024-12-15T18:25:24Z")
Obviously the EU will support Ukraine, but I doubt it will be enough. What’s going to happen? I doubt Ukraine will fall, but I bet that Donbas will be forever Russian. --- ## [In the Russia/Ukraine war, what weaknesses does Russia have](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-russia-ukraine-war-what-weaknesses-does-russia-have/1011180)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-russia-ukraine-war-what-weaknesses-does-russia-have/1011180 "2024-12-10T13:08:49Z")
I’ve heard about the strengths that Russia has. Things like a larger population, a larger economy. Support from nations like Iran, North Korea and China. A willingness and ability to wait for the west to lose interest an… --- ## [Most Useful Four-Year Degree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useful-four-year-degree/1003809)
**Author:** [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useful-four-year-degree/1003809 "2024-12-09T12:44:02Z")
I am getting to that stage of life where younger people occasionally ask for advice. They are generally people who don’t know me.too well but I will take what I can get! Anyway, it got me thinking-what would be the best … --- ## [Does a 4 year college degree matter wrt future earning potential?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-4-year-college-degree-matter-wrt-future-earning-potential/1011043)
**Author:** [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-4-year-college-degree-matter-wrt-future-earning-potential/1011043 "2024-12-08T23:56:48Z")
Im quoting the richest man on earth here (Elon Musk). “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands. We need electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. That’s a lot more important than having incremental p… --- ## [Is the rule of law dead in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-rule-of-law-dead-in-the-us/1011272)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-rule-of-law-dead-in-the-us/1011272 "2024-12-07T20:08:07Z")
The law exists in its application. I know some folks here at the dope can be pedantic, so I want to define my terms. By dead, I don’t mean we live in Somalia or are currently riding historic on the Fury Road; I mean th… --- ## [Will the attempt in July 2024 (Butler, Pennsylvania) go down as one of the biggest alternative-history what-ifs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-attempt-in-july-2024-butler-pennsylvania-go-down-as-one-of-the-biggest-alternative-history-what-ifs/1009800)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-attempt-in-july-2024-butler-pennsylvania-go-down-as-one-of-the-biggest-alternative-history-what-ifs/1009800 "2024-12-06T01:34:38Z")
Thinking alternate history: If Trump had been defeated by Harris in the election last night, then him turning his head to the right at Butler in July wouldn’t have made much difference - either way, he’d have been kept … --- ## [True? "Democrats would rather have fascism than Bernie Sanders' populism"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-democrats-would-rather-have-fascism-than-bernie-sanders-populism/1010953)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2024, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-democrats-would-rather-have-fascism-than-bernie-sanders-populism/1010953 "2024-12-03T08:06:14Z")
The quote came from here: I understand that there’s been a lot about this topic, already. I’m referring to the claims made specifically in this clip, and it’s title. If you disagree, how? Even though I’m g… --- ## [Is "our psychology misandry"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-psychology-misandry/1010955)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-psychology-misandry/1010955 "2024-12-01T16:07:20Z")
Poster @tomcar just posted this in a thread. I don’t want to hijack that thread, but he made some unusual assertions. Now I’m totally confused by this post. I really want some justification for these statements. What… --- ## [Has the US political landscape even been this divided in living memory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-political-landscape-even-been-this-divided-in-living-memory/1004329)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-political-landscape-even-been-this-divided-in-living-memory/1004329 "2024-12-01T09:40:08Z")
I put this in GD because there might not be a factual answer to this. The us left and right absolutely hate each other. Has this always been the case? I am not a student of political science and I have not really been e… --- ## [The USA is not now and may never be ready for a woman President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-is-not-now-and-may-never-be-ready-for-a-woman-president/794371)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 259\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-is-not-now-and-may-never-be-ready-for-a-woman-president/794371 "2024-11-29T16:51:23Z")
IMHO it’s very important that Donald Trump not be reelected in 2020, given that he’s still in office by then and runs again. But if the Democrats nominate another woman (Elizabeth Warren’s name pops up) I believe they wi… --- ## [Lying by Omission: is this legal everywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-by-omission-is-this-legal-everywhere/1010047)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-by-omission-is-this-legal-everywhere/1010047 "2024-11-21T22:14:58Z")
A short thread on a similar topic from 2005, “Is this illegal? Lying by Omission” centered around Antiques Roadshow-type stories: finding a bargain at a yard sale and such. The consensus was that capitalism is about buyi… --- ## [America in the next 50 years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-in-the-next-50-years/125213)
**Author:** [@Montezuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montezuma)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2024, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-in-the-next-50-years/125213 "2024-11-16T03:35:40Z")
What will the united states be like you think, in the next 50 years? will her world position have changed? Economic domination more intense? Population increased by immigrants and Spanish overtaking English as the prima… --- ## [What would the world be like if Internet hadn't been invented?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-world-be-like-if-internet-hadnt-been-invented/1009716)
**Author:** [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-world-be-like-if-internet-hadnt-been-invented/1009716 "2024-11-12T19:40:15Z")
Inspired by the thread https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-internet-went-down-permanently-would-it-be-a-net-gain-or-a-net-loss/987580 about the world if Internet would close down. Since we depend on Internet for so … --- ## [So if Trump wins- do you arm yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-trump-wins-do-you-arm-yourself/1003591)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-trump-wins-do-you-arm-yourself/1003591 "2024-11-12T14:53:34Z")
A lot of people see the gun control debate as a conservative versus liberal issue, and certainly it’s defaulted for the last several decades to conservatives being 2nd Amendment champions and liberals favoring some reaso… --- ## [More (brief) thoughts on the election and divisions in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-brief-thoughts-on-the-election-and-divisions-in-america/771762)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-brief-thoughts-on-the-election-and-divisions-in-america/771762 "2024-11-11T19:55:35Z")
This comes partly from a PM discussion I had with a couple of Dopers (who can feel free to identify themselves if they so choose) – some more thoughts that I want to share. I’m over my devastation and shock, but I am st… --- ## [The Fed will yield to Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fed-will-yield-to-trump/822825)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2024, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fed-will-yield-to-trump/822825 "2024-11-08T03:47:54Z")
The Fed went off the rails years ago, but they still have a bit of sense and realize it is time to start raising rates. Trump is a nut. He is attacking the Fed demanding more cheap money to goose the markets. It will o… --- ## [Mormon Church Issues vast new Transgender restrictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormon-church-issues-vast-new-transgender-restrictions/1006021)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormon-church-issues-vast-new-transgender-restrictions/1006021 "2024-11-06T15:52:11Z")
Apparently the Momon Powers That Be went a bit too far to the left four years ago and are now (far) righting the ship. “The policies, released Monday, include rules barring trans people from working with children, bec… --- ## [What is the definition of "majority". More than half? 50%+1? Both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-definition-of-majority-more-than-half-50-1-both/1009724)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-definition-of-majority-more-than-half-50-1-both/1009724 "2024-11-05T18:09:59Z")
Continuing from here. The question is: is 50%+1 an equivalent definition of a majority which is more than half. Issues that did not enter into that discussion is weighted voting and being able to split your votes, e.g.… --- ## [Russia Lifts Statute of Limitations for Anti-Corruption Asset Seizures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-lifts-statute-of-limitations-for-anti-corruption-asset-seizures/1009510)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2024, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-lifts-statute-of-limitations-for-anti-corruption-asset-seizures/1009510 "2024-11-02T10:42:58Z")
As reported in The Moscow Times, it seems that Russia’s Constitutional Court Lifted the Statute of Limitations for anti-corruption asset seizures. Is this just small potatoes, or is this a major deal that could keep cou… --- ## [Hunger for group membership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-for-group-membership/1006971)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunger-for-group-membership/1006971 "2024-10-31T23:53:17Z")
In advance my apologies for I fear will be a poorly articulated OP as the idea is ill formed in my head, which why I am hoping for some discussion. I get a sense that there are a significant number of people almost des… --- ## [The US tipping system poisons the eating out well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-tipping-system-poisons-the-eating-out-well/405430)
**Author:** [@zhongguorenmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zhongguorenmin)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-tipping-system-poisons-the-eating-out-well/405430 "2024-10-30T17:34:10Z")
As this IMHO thread about dining out got steadily more personal and heated, I was thinking how this is simply not an issue here in the UK. Here all waiters get minimum wage ($10.50/hr) and tips are a bit of a bonus on t… --- ## [Can diluted seawater be used instead of blood for total transfusions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-diluted-seawater-be-used-instead-of-blood-for-total-transfusions/720461)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-diluted-seawater-be-used-instead-of-blood-for-total-transfusions/720461 "2024-10-29T07:01:37Z")
Of course not. I know that. But I’m not sure how to address this bit of nonsense: http://oceanplasma.org/documents/substitute.html I’m guessing that this is simply an overblown claim, that dilute sea water can be safe… --- ## [The war over reality / fake news](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-over-reality-fake-news/1008871)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-over-reality-fake-news/1008871 "2024-10-24T19:21:31Z")
I don’t think the issue of lies, fake news and gaslighting gets taken seriously enough. Sorry if that caused some of you to spit out your beverage of choice, and I know that it was the premise of a whole movie. But what… --- ## [How do you effectively eliminate taxing tips?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-eliminate-taxing-tips/1005585)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-eliminate-taxing-tips/1005585 "2024-10-23T21:01:14Z")
Not sure if this belongs here or in P&E. Both Trump and Harris have proposed eliminating taxes on income from tips. I generally favor increasing minimum wage, and just about anything that will enhance the standard of l… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=12)