# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=17 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 18 --- ## [Will there ever be a time without capitalism and what would it look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-time-without-capitalism-and-what-would-it-look-like/992862)
**Author:** [@Persimmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persimmon)\ **Replies:** 310\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-time-without-capitalism-and-what-would-it-look-like/992862 "2023-12-11T22:15:00Z")
Money is great, if you have it. Those on the wrong end of the system might feel like capitalism is greed, manipulation, and unjust for various reasons. Those who have mastered the system are at the top of the heap and … --- ## [Which 20th century dictators would you classify as true believers vs opportunists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-20th-century-dictators-would-you-classify-as-true-believers-vs-opportunists/994030)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-20th-century-dictators-would-you-classify-as-true-believers-vs-opportunists/994030 "2023-12-11T05:55:56Z")
There were dozens of dictators and authoritarian leaders in the 20th century. My question is how many would you primarily characterize as true believers/fanatics compared to thugs, opportunists and people who took power … --- ## [The Natsarim](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natsarim/641594)
**Author:** [@Bosstrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstrain)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-natsarim/641594 "2023-12-11T03:08:25Z")
Okay, so yeah, I felt the need to “witness”. I’m also wanting to know how much the Natsarim have grown and if there are any present on this forum. For those that don’t know what the Natsarim are, here is an extremely s… --- ## [How do you trust any information received online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-trust-any-information-received-online/994137)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2023, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-trust-any-information-received-online/994137 "2023-12-07T12:53:18Z")
Everyone is biased. Anything could be misinformation unless you experienced it firsthand. Is there a baseline rule that can be applied to say “I know this to be true?” I slightly changed the title because I didn’t want … --- ## [How Is A Criminal Mind Developed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-criminal-mind-developed/208906)
**Author:** [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-criminal-mind-developed/208906 "2023-11-30T20:25:09Z")
How is it that some people become criminals, while the majority do not? When the same temptations face all of us, why do certian individuals succumb, while others keep to the narrow path of righteousness? Are criminals… --- ## [Ought skiplagging be permitted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ought-skiplagging-be-permitted/988795)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 263\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ought-skiplagging-be-permitted/988795 "2023-11-30T02:26:29Z")
Read an article in the paper yesterday about skiplagging, the practice of using only the first leg of a multi-leg flight. Apparently for some routes, you can buy a cheaper ticket from Chicago to San Fran with a stop in … --- ## [The creation of Israel was not a colonial project](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-creation-of-israel-was-not-a-colonial-project/991967)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 259\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-creation-of-israel-was-not-a-colonial-project/991967 "2023-11-28T23:34:25Z")
I’ve been following the various debates online that have heated up into overdrive since the atrocious Hamas attacks earlier this month. One of the most common criticisms of Israel from the left is that Israel was create… --- ## [Are we overly sensitive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-overly-sensitive/993342)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2023, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-overly-sensitive/993342 "2023-11-28T11:47:59Z")
I frequently see trigger warnings on videos, etc. and am of two minds about them. On the one hand, I don’t want to be an insensitive asshole. On the other hand, I feel like those that are sensitive to such things perha… --- ## [Is there still good and bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-good-and-bad/990513)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2023, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-good-and-bad/990513 "2023-11-24T08:10:17Z")
Do we as a society still understand and accept that there is a demarcation, a defined line between good and bad, or do we all separately define good and bad based on what we individually believe? --- ## [What are the best arguments against the idea that objective morality doesn’t exist because it can’t be measured scientifically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-arguments-against-the-idea-that-objective-morality-doesn-t-exist-because-it-can-t-be-measured-scientifically/993218)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-arguments-against-the-idea-that-objective-morality-doesn-t-exist-because-it-can-t-be-measured-scientifically/993218 "2023-11-24T00:43:47Z")
The most common argument against the existence of objective morality and moral facts besides moral differences between societies is that they aren’t tangible objects found in the universe and can’t be measured scientific… --- ## [Relive your life a second time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relive-your-life-a-second-time/992576)
**Author:** [@Persimmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persimmon)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relive-your-life-a-second-time/992576 "2023-11-22T19:49:09Z")
What are some things you would do differently knowing what you know now? I’ve often heard the saying, “life is not a dress rehearsal”. In other words, we don’t often get a second chance to do anything over again. You j… --- ## [Kirk v Picard... already done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-v-picard-already-done/18014)
**Author:** [@BlakJak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakJak)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2023, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-v-picard-already-done/18014 "2023-11-22T06:44:54Z")
So has the Kirk versus Picard debate been done? Is this, in fact, a question that gets asked periodically by some daft newbie? And what about Sisko and Janeway? Do they get a mention? (yes, I watch unhealthy amounts of… --- ## [Boundary between conspiracy theories and paranoid schizophrenia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boundary-between-conspiracy-theories-and-paranoid-schizophrenia/992952)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boundary-between-conspiracy-theories-and-paranoid-schizophrenia/992952 "2023-11-19T15:50:15Z")
The occasion of this question is this news article The public defender for the man charged with attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband is claiming that the defendant’s sincere beliefs have to be taken into account when judgi… --- ## [The L-curve: distribution of income](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-curve-distribution-of-income/100904)
**Author:** [@Jenner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenner)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-curve-distribution-of-income/100904 "2023-11-17T17:07:37Z")
This page illustrates just how skewed the income distribution is in the United States. Wealth distribution is even more highly skewed, with 1% of the population controlling 40-50% of the nation’s wealth. It’s astounding… --- ## ["In Politics, Consequences Equal Intent": yea or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-politics-consequences-equal-intent-yea-or-nay/993091)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2023, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-politics-consequences-equal-intent-yea-or-nay/993091 "2023-11-15T20:02:58Z")
The general proposition of course is debatable and has been previously. The question I’d like to examine is if in the specific arena of politics and law, where outcome is a central issue, it holds true. Certainly a great… --- ## [The Kids Aren't Alright (Cot'd)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kids-arent-alright-cotd/991200)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2023, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kids-arent-alright-cotd/991200 "2023-11-13T21:24:06Z")
This thread is being started to end a hijack of a different, equally interesting thread. On the subject of whether or not adolescents and young adults are less independent than they are in years past, some have posited r… --- ## [Do you think that Biden's chances of winning re-election are strong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-bidens-chances-of-winning-re-election-are-strong/992970)
**Author:** [@MilitaryGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MilitaryGuy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2023, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-bidens-chances-of-winning-re-election-are-strong/992970 "2023-11-11T04:02:24Z")
It seems that the current President is struggling in key swing states. --- ## [Reasonable Restrictions on Free Speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-restrictions-on-free-speech/991187)
**Author:** [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-restrictions-on-free-speech/991187 "2023-11-03T17:52:05Z")
I don’t believe any right is absolute and unfettered. But for most of my life, if there was one right that pushed me closest to the absolutist end of the spectrum, it was the right to express yourself. Of course there … --- ## [What would happen to prisoners during a nuclear war and its aftermath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-prisoners-during-a-nuclear-war-and-its-aftermath/992205)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-prisoners-during-a-nuclear-war-and-its-aftermath/992205 "2023-11-01T16:25:11Z")
In the event of a modern full scale nuclear war (bolt out of the blue or a gradual buildup) between the US and Russia what would happen to the nearly two million prisoners incarcerated in the thousands of jails and priso… --- ## [Do Capital Gains Screw the Poor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capital-gains-screw-the-poor/986644)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capital-gains-screw-the-poor/986644 "2023-10-28T14:35:59Z")
Online, a friend posted about the evil that is billionaires. One of the assertions was that the process of becoming a billionaire was immoral. I noted that a person who bought $10k in bitcoins in 2011 would have $2.2 B… --- ## [Is “You’re not the only one” a valid response or a tired platitude?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-you-re-not-the-only-one-a-valid-response-or-a-tired-platitude/991956)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-you-re-not-the-only-one-a-valid-response-or-a-tired-platitude/991956 "2023-10-25T20:24:43Z")
Whenever someone discusses a personal problem they’re often met with a response of “You’re not the only one experiencing this problem.” To be clear if the person is explicitly making it seem like they’re the only one exp… --- ## [We Must Select 50 Languages That Will Survive Forever - Which Criteria Should We Use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-select-50-languages-that-will-survive-forever-which-criteria-should-we-use/990769)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-select-50-languages-that-will-survive-forever-which-criteria-should-we-use/990769 "2023-10-23T13:10:29Z")
There are currently about 7,000 languages in the world. Imagine that for some reason (alien overlords, global dictatorship, whatever…) humanity has to choose the 50 most important ones. Those selected will not only be pr… --- ## [A police investigation uses a Google keyword search to find arson suspects-setting a bad precedent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-police-investigation-uses-a-google-keyword-search-to-find-arson-suspects-setting-a-bad-precedent/991711)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-police-investigation-uses-a-google-keyword-search-to-find-arson-suspects-setting-a-bad-precedent/991711 "2023-10-23T03:48:53Z")
In the midst of an arson investigation in Colorado, the police department reached out to Google to find out who had searched over a period of 15 days for an address where a fire killed five people. While I’m happy that … --- ## [endangered species](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endangered-species/822559)
**Author:** [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endangered-species/822559 "2023-10-21T17:40:41Z")
if you believe in evolution, ie survival of the fittest (adapt or die), why should we protect endangered species? --- ## [If the US can ignore Pakistan's sovereignty to advance American national interests, why not Mexico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-can-ignore-pakistans-sovereignty-to-advance-american-national-interests-why-not-mexico/991058)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2023, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-can-ignore-pakistans-sovereignty-to-advance-american-national-interests-why-not-mexico/991058 "2023-10-13T10:14:06Z")
continuing the discussion from the Jack Smith thread: If ignoring the sovereignty of Pakistan to kill Bin Laden is acceptable in the interests of national security, what’s the problem with invading Mexico? --- ## [Are Palestinians in Gaza a distinct ethnic group? Is pushing Palestinians out of Gaza "ethnic cleansing?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-palestinians-in-gaza-a-distinct-ethnic-group-is-pushing-palestinians-out-of-gaza-ethnic-cleansing/991255)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-palestinians-in-gaza-a-distinct-ethnic-group-is-pushing-palestinians-out-of-gaza-ethnic-cleansing/991255 "2023-10-08T14:28:43Z")
Given the current attacks in Israel by Hamas along the Gaza strip a discussion on the SDMB about it has formed. Some posters are saying if Israel clears out Gaza it amounts to ethnic cleansing. From that thread: @Wal… --- ## [Was H.L. Mencken a fascist who would have supported Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-h-l-mencken-a-fascist-who-would-have-supported-trump/991184)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-h-l-mencken-a-fascist-who-would-have-supported-trump/991184 "2023-10-08T08:59:22Z")
(Starting a new thread so as not to hijack the other.) Continuing the discussion from The Impending Attempt to Oust Speaker McCarthy {10/1/2023}; Patrick McHenry is now Speaker Pro Tempore {2023-10-03}: For the record… --- ## [Is this article on the slow death of OPEC and the oil/gas industry in general and the rise of the EV too optimistic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-article-on-the-slow-death-of-opec-and-the-oil-gas-industry-in-general-and-the-rise-of-the-ev-too-optimistic/990764)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-article-on-the-slow-death-of-opec-and-the-oil-gas-industry-in-general-and-the-rise-of-the-ev-too-optimistic/990764 "2023-10-04T16:47:00Z")
From what this article says OPEC and the oil and the oil/gas industry in general are in for a fall (the article calls it a “death spiral”) in the next 5-15 years and the only thing that might slow it down is the w… --- ## [AI use opens Hollywood to public domain (?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-use-opens-hollywood-to-public-domain/990549)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-use-opens-hollywood-to-public-domain/990549 "2023-09-27T21:02:16Z")
The US copyright office and the judicial system has recently decided that AI generated art cannot be copyrighted. Ergo, any AI art is de facto in the public domain. Right now, Hollywood is having a fight over the use of… --- ## [Court Rules TSA Enjoy Sovereign Immunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-rules-tsa-enjoy-sovereign-immunity/819064)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2023, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-rules-tsa-enjoy-sovereign-immunity/819064 "2023-09-26T23:41:43Z")
TSA agents cannot be sued over allegations of abuse, federal court rules Here is theopinion from the 3rd circuit court of appeals. The federal government enjoys sovereign immunity in that it is immune from civil suit o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=18)