# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=19 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 20 --- ## [Have economic sanctions ever had a significant political effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-economic-sanctions-ever-had-a-significant-political-effect/983761)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-economic-sanctions-ever-had-a-significant-political-effect/983761 "2023-07-31T20:31:48Z")
It has been a response for decades in many cases now: e.g. Rhodesia, North Korea, and now Russia. But has there ever been a case where it really made a difference? I can’t recall any. One suspects that it is a face-sa… --- ## [Resolved; America would be less divisive today if we had executed Confederate leaders for treason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-america-would-be-less-divisive-today-if-we-had-executed-confederate-leaders-for-treason/986789)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 319\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-america-would-be-less-divisive-today-if-we-had-executed-confederate-leaders-for-treason/986789 "2023-07-28T15:26:29Z")
If, following the end of the Civil War, the United States had identified the Confederate politicians and military officers as having committed treason (I’d imagine issuing a pardon to anybody who didn’t obtain a command … --- ## [Bigotry versus genuine religious belief](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigotry-versus-genuine-religious-belief/921434)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 365\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bigotry-versus-genuine-religious-belief/921434 "2023-07-27T19:46:00Z")
Not a single person alive today had a hand in writing the Bible. That book was written by people thousands of years ago. Generally, society is tolerant of people’s religious beliefs (for instance, Muslims or Orthodox Je… --- ## [At what point is a restoration not a restoration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-a-restoration-not-a-restoration/986905)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-a-restoration-not-a-restoration/986905 "2023-07-26T22:27:09Z")
GD since I don’t think there is a factual answer and I know the Ship of Theseus will appear here but it’s more than that methinks. So of course there are the SoT issues like replacing rivets that need to be cut off but … --- ## [Are piloted direct combat military aircraft becoming obsolete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-piloted-direct-combat-military-aircraft-becoming-obsolete/984088)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2023, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-piloted-direct-combat-military-aircraft-becoming-obsolete/984088 "2023-07-23T00:56:42Z")
Started to avoid hijacking the Ukraine news thread, and as a parallel to the thread about tanks. Is there much use for fighter jets with pilots on today’s battlefield? Here’s a few of the points that come to my mind ba… --- ## [For Sam Stone: What about Canadian politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-sam-stone-what-about-canadian-politics/258746)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-sam-stone-what-about-canadian-politics/258746 "2023-07-21T18:36:14Z")
Sam, my friend, I have no axe to grind with you or the government of Canada but after several years of reading you discuss American politics I’d like to hear your take on your own government. What are they doing right? … --- ## [Why do powerful nations respect North Korea's autonomy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-powerful-nations-respect-north-koreas-autonomy/766042)
**Author:** [@Dr.Arthias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Arthias)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-powerful-nations-respect-north-koreas-autonomy/766042 "2023-07-21T16:36:35Z")
I kinda already know the answer to this question, but I still think it’s a very interesting topic to discuss. Every once in a while in my life, I stop everything I’m doing and think “Oh man… North Korea is actually stil… --- ## [Is there a rational argument for Deontology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rational-argument-for-deontology/984590)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rational-argument-for-deontology/984590 "2023-07-16T21:39:22Z")
It seems to me that almost every political or social debate we see has, at its root cause, a profound disagreement. We all look at different situations and try to find the best answer, and we cone to very different concl… --- ## [War on Terror after action review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-on-terror-after-action-review/987032)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2023, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-on-terror-after-action-review/987032 "2023-07-14T20:03:53Z")
What actions taken by the US/G7/NATO/etc. were the most effective at preventing terror? While we have a bunch of security theater and trillions spent and thousands of lives lost, not to mention things like Abu Ghraib, w… --- ## [Is pretending to be stupid in film, etc kinda like Blackface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pretending-to-be-stupid-in-film-etc-kinda-like-blackface/979351)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pretending-to-be-stupid-in-film-etc-kinda-like-blackface/979351 "2023-07-11T18:36:14Z")
Okay, one thing I hate is film, tv etc, where someone pretends to be stupid. Dumb and Dumber (which did have a few funny moments, due to the stars, but the sequel was pure cringe, and of course, Philomena Cunk. We conde… --- ## [Legacy colleges represent a discriminatory admissions practice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legacy-colleges-represent-a-discriminatory-admissions-practice/986533)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2023, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legacy-colleges-represent-a-discriminatory-admissions-practice/986533 "2023-07-09T11:56:16Z")
In light of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding college admission practices it would seem a natural extension to apply this to legacy admissions. Student admissions should be based on their scholastic achievemen… --- ## [When people say "it was the war that got us out of the depression, not the new deal", aren't they conceding that government spending can work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-say-it-was-the-war-that-got-us-out-of-the-depression-not-the-new-deal-arent-they-conceding-that-government-spending-can-work/985677)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-say-it-was-the-war-that-got-us-out-of-the-depression-not-the-new-deal-arent-they-conceding-that-government-spending-can-work/985677 "2023-07-05T14:57:57Z")
If a depression is “no one is working because there is no demand and there is no demand because no one is working” then why are many so certain than government spending to get the engine going again is so useless? (i re… --- ## [What effect will the SC decision about affirmative action have on college application essays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-will-the-sc-decision-about-affirmative-action-have-on-college-application-essays/986410)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-will-the-sc-decision-about-affirmative-action-have-on-college-application-essays/986410 "2023-07-01T16:29:25Z")
There’s an interesting article in The Atlantic about minority students now needing to write their application essays about their racial backgrounds, so as to get around the new requirement that colleges ask about their r… --- ## [Was the Y2K crisis overstated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-y2k-crisis-overstated/983924)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-y2k-crisis-overstated/983924 "2023-06-30T15:49:47Z")
In the Baker’s Dozen III thread, @Bicycle\_Bill called Y2K a nothing burger. But was it, really? I’m inclined to disagree; I think the reason it caused minimal disruption was because so many people and so much money was … --- ## [What is left in the still classified JFK assassination files?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-left-in-the-still-classified-jfk-assassination-files/953493)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 361\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2023, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-left-in-the-still-classified-jfk-assassination-files/953493 "2023-06-29T01:19:16Z")
I still can’t come to terms with lone gunman theory and the SBT. It may or may not have happened that way. I have to leave it at that. JFK the movie stirred the pot and resulted in the JFK’s wife did not want too much… --- ## [Doesn’t the existence of trans people imply an underlying biological fact of the matter regarding gender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesn-t-the-existence-of-trans-people-imply-an-underlying-biological-fact-of-the-matter-regarding-gender/979434)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesn-t-the-existence-of-trans-people-imply-an-underlying-biological-fact-of-the-matter-regarding-gender/979434 "2023-06-28T12:26:14Z")
This was inspired by a discussion elsewhere. If someone identifies as the opposite gender doesn’t this implicitly mean there’s an underlying fact of the matter and a biological reality to gender rather than it just being… --- ## [Should there be a Democratic Presidential Primary Debate in 2024?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-democratic-presidential-primary-debate-in-2024/985893)
**Author:** [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-democratic-presidential-primary-debate-in-2024/985893 "2023-06-27T17:58:29Z")
A recent poll I saw concerning the nomination for President from the Democratic Party had: Joe Biden 70% Robert F Kennedy 17% Marianne Williamson 8% Should these candidates have a debate, as the Republican candidates… --- ## [Has Putin mentally deteriorated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-putin-mentally-deteriorated/960179)
**Author:** [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Replies:** 232\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-putin-mentally-deteriorated/960179 "2023-06-26T21:48:39Z")
This thread is meant to be about Putin himself, rather than about the war in Ukraine. There are a couple of threads about that running already. I was completely wrong about Putin invading Ukraine – but then so were a lo… --- ## [Do trans girl athletes have an advantage? \[Moderated title for clarity\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trans-girl-athletes-have-an-advantage-moderated-title-for-clarity/945447)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 862\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trans-girl-athletes-have-an-advantage-moderated-title-for-clarity/945447 "2023-06-25T01:56:48Z")
As everyone has heard, some Republican states have prohibited transgender boys from competing in girls sports in grade and high schools. (I don’t know if this covers collage). Is there any evidence they would have an ad… --- ## [Might Prigozhin actually be better for Ukraine than Putin and Shoigu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-prigozhin-actually-be-better-for-ukraine-than-putin-and-shoigu/986035)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-prigozhin-actually-be-better-for-ukraine-than-putin-and-shoigu/986035 "2023-06-24T21:02:13Z")
I didn’t want to hijacker’s the other threads on this aspect. The idea seems to be that since Prigozhin is further to the right than Putin, he might be even more brutal in Ukraine. We know what he’s already done, but o… --- ## [Could 2011 Missouri River flooding have been prevented?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-2011-missouri-river-flooding-have-been-prevented/587117)
**Author:** [@HighFructose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HighFructose)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-2011-missouri-river-flooding-have-been-prevented/587117 "2023-06-23T19:04:20Z")
This kind of flew under my radar, but now that there are nuclear power plant involved (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/us/21flood.html), I’ve taken interest. Apparently, the US Army Corps of Engineers is being blamed … --- ## [SETI research: what can we now rule out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seti-research-what-can-we-now-rule-out/985754)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seti-research-what-can-we-now-rule-out/985754 "2023-06-20T13:40:49Z")
The Fermi Paradox dates from 1950. The SETI Institute was established in 1985. We haven’t yet discovered any aliens. Are there scenarios that we can rule out, if only probabilistically? One is tempted to say, “Star Trek… --- ## [Jazz Is Black American Music](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jazz-is-black-american-music/985320)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jazz-is-black-american-music/985320 "2023-06-16T20:49:52Z")
Pro: The genesis of jazz in the early 20th century was Black American musicians incorporating their musical traditions. It grew out of the blues, and was subsequently influenced primarily by Black American musicians. It … --- ## [Is it possible that the Reimann hypothesis is an actual example of a Godel unprovable proposition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-the-reimann-hypothesis-is-an-actual-example-of-a-godel-unprovable-proposition/984966)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-the-reimann-hypothesis-is-an-actual-example-of-a-godel-unprovable-proposition/984966 "2023-06-16T19:43:18Z")
Quite a few key mathematical problems which resisted solution for a long time have eventually fallen. As far as I know, Andrew Wiles’ proof of Fermat’s last theorem is generally accepted as correct. And the famous four… --- ## [Can we ever create a government that works well?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ever-create-a-government-that-works-well/977280)
**Author:** [@Whickwithy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whickwithy)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-ever-create-a-government-that-works-well/977280 "2023-06-16T17:31:52Z")
I was just thinking about how all countries (or governments thereof) seem to think that their government is so fine that everyone else on the planet should use it. There’s China that continues to drool over Taiwan. The… --- ## [Large language model AI doesn't learn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-language-model-ai-doesnt-learn/984778)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-language-model-ai-doesnt-learn/984778 "2023-06-14T21:34:10Z")
In recent discussions, there’s been some debate about whether it’s accurate to say that large language models/AI can learn things. I have strong skepticism that this is an accurate description, or even a helpful metaphor… --- ## [Going back to February 2022 - trying to deter the Russian invasion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-to-february-2022-trying-to-deter-the-russian-invasion/984295)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-to-february-2022-trying-to-deter-the-russian-invasion/984295 "2023-06-13T16:18:02Z")
In hindsight, of course, the best way to deter the invasion was many years before - 2014 or before. But let’s set that aside and only go back to, say, the beginning or middle of February 2022. Even without the U.S. or N… --- ## [Would there be simulated violence in Heaven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-simulated-violence-in-heaven/983481)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-simulated-violence-in-heaven/983481 "2023-06-03T23:13:29Z")
If there was a perfect afterlife of unimaginable bliss, happiness, fulfillment etc I’ve always wondered if you could create non sentient people to interact with and if so what you were allowed to do with them. If I wante… --- ## [When will Climate Change become dire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-climate-change-become-dire/843739)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 223\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-climate-change-become-dire/843739 "2023-06-01T19:25:05Z")
Going at the rate we’re going now, how long until the most dire consequences of climate change occur? How long until even the billionaires are suffering its effects? --- ## [On the nature of human vs. artificial intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-nature-of-human-vs-artificial-intelligence/978897)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-nature-of-human-vs-artificial-intelligence/978897 "2023-05-31T04:22:00Z")
Woah, this went way longer than I thought it would. TL;DR version: Current AI such as Chat GPT is amazing, but is not ‘conscious’. It simply responds to input. It has no ‘intent’, no initiative. But, what is consciousnes… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=20)