# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=2 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 3 --- ## [AI pornography that is otherwise illegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-pornography-that-is-otherwise-illegal/1027400)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-pornography-that-is-otherwise-illegal/1027400 "2026-09-08T22:07:38Z")
What is the status, and what should be the status, of pornography that uses AI that doesn’t resemble any actual people, places etc.? AI that is completely written, drawn, animated or said without human guidance. Is it … --- ## [Is U.S. war policy encouraging the world to go nuclear? The future of proliferation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-u-s-war-policy-encouraging-the-world-to-go-nuclear-the-future-of-proliferation/162724)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-u-s-war-policy-encouraging-the-world-to-go-nuclear-the-future-of-proliferation/162724 "2026-09-04T20:53:53Z")
In this other thread of mine (which interestingly enough of devoid of answers from some specific sides of the debate), Blalron made a comment I thought was interesting: What do you all think? True? Important? (I ask… --- ## [Isn't today's low birth rate exactly what people of the 1980s were clamoring for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-todays-low-birth-rate-exactly-what-people-of-the-1980s-were-clamoring-for/1032699)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-todays-low-birth-rate-exactly-what-people-of-the-1980s-were-clamoring-for/1032699 "2026-09-04T18:39:22Z")
As a Millennial, maybe I’m misremembering my childhood, but I remember reading on multiple occasions the books of my era warning that the planet’s population was on a steep upwards rise - soon going to be 7 billion, 9 bi… --- ## [Your thoughts on whether a limited nuclear exchange is possible and/or feasible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-thoughts-on-whether-a-limited-nuclear-exchange-is-possible-and-or-feasible/1031833)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-thoughts-on-whether-a-limited-nuclear-exchange-is-possible-and-or-feasible/1031833 "2026-09-03T02:41:44Z")
Please notice the very first word in the title. I have no interest whatsoever in “they think…” or “they say…” arguments. If others wish to give arguments counter to yours, they are perfectly able to state their own opi… --- ## [According to you, what is the meaning of life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620)
**Author:** [@Xarrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xarrot)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2026, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620 "2026-09-01T08:11:35Z")
There is no known meaning of life that we can all agree on as a species, as everyone has a different answer to the question “What is the meaning of life?”. So I would like to read your answers to this open ended question… --- ## [The US will not rise up against an authoritarian leader](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-will-not-rise-up-against-an-authoritarian-leader/1032275)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-will-not-rise-up-against-an-authoritarian-leader/1032275 "2026-08-31T19:50:30Z")
In P&E, there’s a thread about how the GOP could engineer staying in power in the House even if they should lose a majority based on the actual vote. At least two posters claimed that, if that were to happen, the people… --- ## [Confronting racism in oneself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confronting-racism-in-oneself/1030215)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 274\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confronting-racism-in-oneself/1030215 "2026-08-26T01:14:52Z")
Doper 1: “One of the first things you learn in anti-racism training is that you’re racist. You can’t help it as a product of our society.” Doper 2: “This is not true.” (quoted verbatim) Deniers like Doper 2 above feel … --- ## [What responsibility does a group/category of stereotyped people have to change their behavior so they don't get stereotyped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-does-a-group-category-of-stereotyped-people-have-to-change-their-behavior-so-they-dont-get-stereotyped/1032541)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-does-a-group-category-of-stereotyped-people-have-to-change-their-behavior-so-they-dont-get-stereotyped/1032541 "2026-08-25T18:30:09Z")
(Split off from the Jason Arday thread, which is a separate but related issue) On the one hand, most folks agree that stereotyping and painting people with a broad brush is wrong. On the other hand, some or most folks w… --- ## [How do you respond to ideological disagreements over definitions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-ideological-disagreements-over-definitions/1030945)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-ideological-disagreements-over-definitions/1030945 "2026-08-25T13:25:11Z")
It seems like our society has been captured by an obsession with moral/philosophical relativism and everything being a social construct to be ignored at best and stamped out at worst while at the same time being held hos… --- ## [The use of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was it justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-atomic-bomb-in-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-was-it-justified/1021901)
**Author:** [@Colesy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colesy)\ **Replies:** 245\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-atomic-bomb-in-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-was-it-justified/1021901 "2026-08-23T04:11:01Z")
This is a subject that has been hotly debated since the first successful test in New Mexico, and with the anniversary commemorations in Japan right now, it has reignited my fascination. For me there are two layers to th… --- ## [Retirement age public policy considerations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-age-public-policy-considerations/1030879)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-age-public-policy-considerations/1030879 "2026-08-23T00:25:17Z")
Continuing the discussion from Leave the birthrate alone: The current American chronological age inferring expected remaining lifespan system for SS (implicitly connected to encouraged retirement age) has built in ine… --- ## [What is the best defense of the apartheid-like system Israel enforces in occupied/settled/disputed territories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-defense-of-the-apartheid-like-system-israel-enforces-in-occupied-settled-disputed-territories/1030314)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 307\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-defense-of-the-apartheid-like-system-israel-enforces-in-occupied-settled-disputed-territories/1030314 "2026-08-22T16:51:33Z")
A couple of years ago, I asked a question in FQ about claims made by Ta-Nehisi Coates about the West Bank: I quoted these snippets from Coates’ book: There were streets that we would encounter where we were allowed … --- ## [Where would Trump go if he accepted electoral defeat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-trump-go-if-he-accepted-electoral-defeat/1029767)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-trump-go-if-he-accepted-electoral-defeat/1029767 "2026-08-17T15:44:35Z")
First time posting in this forum :grinning\_face\_with\_smiling\_eyes: so mods if this hypothetical belongs elsewhere… Say if in '28 Trump tries the “but what if I don’t?” approach to conceding office, but then, eventually,… --- ## [The Malvinas/Falklands in Argentine culture and politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-malvinas-falklands-in-argentine-culture-and-politics/1031774)
**Author:** [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-malvinas-falklands-in-argentine-culture-and-politics/1031774 "2026-08-14T01:47:49Z")
In this post FIFA World Cup 2026 - discussion etc - #4653 by Frodo I said I would like to explain how the Malvinas/Falklands claim works in Argentine culture and politics, I’m no longer so sure that I will like it (it’s … --- ## [Is sexism stronger than racism in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sexism-stronger-than-racism-in-america/1027848)
**Author:** [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2026, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sexism-stronger-than-racism-in-america/1027848 "2026-08-11T09:19:52Z")
Continuing the discussion from Was Kamala Harris a below average Democratic Presidential Candidate?: (There was a related link 17 (!) years ago.) I started this (to avoid a hijack, and to) to say one data point is the… --- ## [Have tech entrepreneurs become Bond villains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-tech-entrepreneurs-become-bond-villains/1032284)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2026, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-tech-entrepreneurs-become-bond-villains/1032284 "2026-08-11T04:30:19Z")
After listening to an alarming interview on Fresh Air with Gil Duran, author of “'The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy.” It seems not that long ago that Silicon Valley techies were seen as gen… --- ## [Unified Field Theorem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unified-field-theorem/1032257)
**Author:** [@cladking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cladking)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unified-field-theorem/1032257 "2026-08-10T21:13:17Z")
I believe the great scientists of the last century were making this too complex by trying to solve a procedural question symbolically and then finding that there is no math capable of it. … --- ## [The story of the Jews escaping slavery in Egypt and wandering the desert is fiction, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-of-the-jews-escaping-slavery-in-egypt-and-wandering-the-desert-is-fiction-right/1026800)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 452\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2026, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-of-the-jews-escaping-slavery-in-egypt-and-wandering-the-desert-is-fiction-right/1026800 "2026-08-06T12:08:30Z")
I have a Jewish heritage on my mother’s side, but she didn’t practice the religion, and neither do I. I have, however, sat in on a few Seders in my lifetime (the last in college, more than 25 years ago). As a result, I… --- ## [Is the Modern Economy Pushing Ordinary People Toward Gambling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-modern-economy-pushing-ordinary-people-toward-gambling/1031009)
**Author:** [@Dheeraj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dheeraj)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2026, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-modern-economy-pushing-ordinary-people-toward-gambling/1031009 "2026-08-06T09:05:24Z")
I’m curious what others think about a trend I’ve been noticing. It seems like the wealth gap is widening rapidly. People with education, professional careers, and access to investment opportunities are accumulating sign… --- ## [Are there any valid, logical reasons why the Haredim should not have to serve in the IDF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-valid-logical-reasons-why-the-haredim-should-not-have-to-serve-in-the-idf/1031700)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2026, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-valid-logical-reasons-why-the-haredim-should-not-have-to-serve-in-the-idf/1031700 "2026-08-03T10:16:20Z")
I didn’t want to hijack the ongoing never-ending Israel-Palestine threads. So, I am, of course non-Jewish, non-Israeli, and only have the most superficial understanding of the matter. And I know we have some Jewish/Isra… --- ## [According to Justice Roberts, nearly everyone besides him misunderstands the "tradition and history" precedent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-justice-roberts-nearly-everyone-besides-him-misunderstands-the-tradition-and-history-precedent/1003253)
**Author:** [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-justice-roberts-nearly-everyone-besides-him-misunderstands-the-tradition-and-history-precedent/1003253 "2026-08-02T01:27:23Z")
The SCOTUS just overturned a lower court ruling saying that a federal law unconstitutionally barred a domestic abuser under a restraining order from possessing a gun. If you’re wondering how it was possible for the lowe… --- ## [Was Hiroshima necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hiroshima-necessary/1031923)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hiroshima-necessary/1031923 "2026-07-28T14:20:19Z")
The options were to the USA (and the Allied powers- which didnt know about the Bomb of course)- Invasion- lots of casualties- Depending on the scope and context, casualty estimates for American forces ranged from 220… --- ## [Political/religious things people would admit if it weren't for social consequence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-religious-things-people-would-admit-if-it-werent-for-social-consequence/1031213)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-religious-things-people-would-admit-if-it-werent-for-social-consequence/1031213 "2026-07-28T07:22:25Z")
I feel a lot of religious people would admit openly, “Yeah, the argument for God’s existence is pretty weak and a lot of things our religion teaches are quite questionable” if it weren’t for the immense social penalty th… --- ## [Leopold Aschenbrenner's article about the near term future of AI, what do other people think of his predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopold-aschenbrenners-article-about-the-near-term-future-of-ai-what-do-other-people-think-of-his-predictions/1009388)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopold-aschenbrenners-article-about-the-near-term-future-of-ai-what-do-other-people-think-of-his-predictions/1009388 "2026-07-27T16:33:48Z")
Aschenbrenner is a wunderkind (for lack of a better word) who worked for OpenAI on the superalignment team. The article is very long, about 160 pages. So I don’t expect people to read it. A short synopsis is this. A… --- ## [What's the utility to Iran's regime of practical, all-out as opposed to rhetorical enmity towards Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-utility-to-irans-regime-of-practical-all-out-as-opposed-to-rhetorical-enmity-towards-israel/1031853)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-utility-to-irans-regime-of-practical-all-out-as-opposed-to-rhetorical-enmity-towards-israel/1031853 "2026-07-26T14:41:03Z")
The Iranian leadership has for a long time struck out at Israel, by proxies as well as directly. I do get the political benefit to a ruling elite, in Iran and other middle eastern countries of professing antisemitism an… --- ## [Trump secretly activates a "Mystery Court"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-secretly-activates-a-mystery-court/1031784)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-secretly-activates-a-mystery-court/1031784 "2026-07-24T21:05:58Z")
It is called the “Alien Terrorist Removal Court”, established in 1996 and dormant…until now. Trump administration activates never-before-used ‘alien terrorist’ deportation court - POLITICO “The Trump administration has… --- ## [The Male Inequality Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-male-inequality-problem/1023440)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 1173\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-male-inequality-problem/1023440 "2026-07-16T19:14:38Z")
This is the best article I’ve read all year. (Or video. I didn’t watch the video.) It is a very long article (worth it!) so I’ll pull out some points I thought were especially good. It’s obviously true as we look a… --- ## [“Life isn’t fair”: why shouldn’t I get the spoils!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-isn-t-fair-why-shouldn-t-i-get-the-spoils/1030911)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-isn-t-fair-why-shouldn-t-i-get-the-spoils/1030911 "2026-07-15T21:32:33Z")
Continuing the discussion from Retirement age public policy considerations: Context is discussion that higher SES folk systematically get more net out of SS than lower SES folk. Feel free to join there to talk about tha… --- ## [Here's a Proposed Way Forward on USA Healthcare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-proposed-way-forward-on-usa-healthcare/1031485)
**Author:** [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-proposed-way-forward-on-usa-healthcare/1031485 "2026-07-12T20:53:03Z")
Paul Krugman has a good substack. He’s put a series out there on US healthcare that, IMO, does a good job of summarizing our history, our politics, comparisons with other countries, a list of universal healthcare altern… --- ## [Is the simplest model the best model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-simplest-model-the-best-model/1030077)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2026, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-simplest-model-the-best-model/1030077 "2026-07-12T12:01:21Z")
Of course it isn’t. Like so many things in life, this is a matter of calibration. In the December 2025 issue of The Stata Journal, Nick Cox summarizes current thinking on simplicity: Simplicity as a goal or guide, even… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=3)