# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=3 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 4 --- ## [To what extent can science be repressed once discovered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-science-be-repressed-once-discovered/1030652)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-science-be-repressed-once-discovered/1030652 "2026-07-04T00:42:30Z")
I see this all the time in discussions over alternative energy and AI: the idea that scientists or corporations can completely suppress, or control the rate of, scientific progress. This has always struck me as odd, beca… --- ## [Are atheists who aren’t materialists truly atheists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-atheists-who-aren-t-materialists-truly-atheists/1030197)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-atheists-who-aren-t-materialists-truly-atheists/1030197 "2026-06-30T23:49:18Z")
And I mean “materialist” as in believing that “physical matter is the only or fundamental reality.” (Merriam-Webster) Because I could have sworn that I read that believing in God or gods was a separate thing from believ… --- ## [Did the 5th Circuit get US v Jamarr Smith right or wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-5th-circuit-get-us-v-jamarr-smith-right-or-wrong/1005918)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-5th-circuit-get-us-v-jamarr-smith-right-or-wrong/1005918 "2026-06-30T13:22:28Z")
This case is about geofence warrants. Some people robbed a postal worker and were observed with something like a cell phone. They sent a warrant to Google saying search your DB for anyone who was at these coordinates a… --- ## [South Korean Universities Reject Applicants with School Bullying Records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-korean-universities-reject-applicants-with-school-bullying-records/1026291)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2026, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-korean-universities-reject-applicants-with-school-bullying-records/1026291 "2026-06-29T07:19:13Z")
South Korean universities reject applicants with school bullying records. The debate here is: Is this a good policy? My take is that it depends on both the severity and the time of the verified bullying incidents. The… --- ## [What could a nuke-armed nation achieve if it genuinely did not fear nuclear retaliation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-nuke-armed-nation-achieve-if-it-genuinely-did-not-fear-nuclear-retaliation/1031024)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-nuke-armed-nation-achieve-if-it-genuinely-did-not-fear-nuclear-retaliation/1031024 "2026-06-23T04:39:26Z")
Let’s say that one day Kim Jong Un informs the United States he’s about to invade South Korea, and will use tactical nukes. The USA says, “Nope, South Korea is under the US nuclear umbrella,” and Kim laughs and says “Lol… --- ## [When does a human fetus become a person with personhood rights, and why do you think so?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-a-human-fetus-become-a-person-with-personhood-rights-and-why-do-you-think-so/1027628)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 305\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2026, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-a-human-fetus-become-a-person-with-personhood-rights-and-why-do-you-think-so/1027628 "2026-06-17T09:13:16Z")
No introduction really, except this seems to me to be the real basis of any debate about banning or restricting abortion, the arguments for all sides seem to depend on this particular point; if this is not correct, pleas… --- ## [Leave the birthrate alone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-the-birthrate-alone/1029286)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 310\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-the-birthrate-alone/1029286 "2026-06-15T00:18:33Z")
On the subject of birthrate, I’m for the radical middle. I completely reject the arguments on either side for policies to either increase or decrease the birthrate. Both sides are not only wrong, if their plans were impl… --- ## [Lying? or just wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-or-just-wrong/1030189)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2026, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-or-just-wrong/1030189 "2026-06-14T18:58:08Z")
Let us say a person grew up “knowing” a “fact” that turned out not to be true, like for instance about they were born on such a day, but their birth certificate (checked later) showed different. Or they were taught some… --- ## [Preparing young adults for an uncertain future: education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preparing-young-adults-for-an-uncertain-future-education/1030412)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2026, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preparing-young-adults-for-an-uncertain-future-education/1030412 "2026-06-14T03:20:02Z")
Continuing the discussion from The Male Inequality Problem: Thinking of it today because Rahm Emanuel in his quixotic attempt to get the Dem presidential nomination is highlighted education. NYT gift link: https://www… --- ## [Representation and how much it has to be just like you (jury selection and other)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representation-and-how-much-it-has-to-be-just-like-you-jury-selection-and-other/1030800)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representation-and-how-much-it-has-to-be-just-like-you-jury-selection-and-other/1030800 "2026-06-12T14:51:17Z")
So here in the Dallas area, a high school kid (Karmelo Anthony) was just convicted and sentenced for killing another in what appears to be a weird crime of passion. Thing is, the kid who did the stabbing was a black ki… --- ## [How Devastating Are Data Centers to the Local Population?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-devastating-are-data-centers-to-the-local-population/1030106)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-devastating-are-data-centers-to-the-local-population/1030106 "2026-06-09T18:42:09Z")
The construction of data centers are a contentious issue because operating them consumes an inordinate amount of water and energy. A working data center may place a strain on the local power supply, raising the cost of … --- ## [Will extremely high temperatures due to climate change actually make parts of the world unlivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-extremely-high-temperatures-due-to-climate-change-actually-make-parts-of-the-world-unlivable/1030657)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2026, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-extremely-high-temperatures-due-to-climate-change-actually-make-parts-of-the-world-unlivable/1030657 "2026-06-08T06:41:55Z")
Ok so, to start the discussion I know climate change is a serious issue. We need to be investing far far more into fixing it, and continuing to burn fossil fuels and relying on dropping giant ice cubes in the ocean is no… --- ## [What would it take to get a general strike going in the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-get-a-general-strike-going-in-the-united-states/1030442)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-get-a-general-strike-going-in-the-united-states/1030442 "2026-06-08T02:41:52Z")
A 10-day general strike would accomplish more for the working class majority than a century’s worth of elections. It would represent an immediate momentum shift by bringing the capitalist behemoth to its knees. Our true… --- ## [Bring back the battleships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-back-the-battleships/485860)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 390\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-back-the-battleships/485860 "2026-06-05T17:52:27Z")
From an earlier friendly PM discussion between What Exit? and me, posted here with his consent: Elendil’s Heir An interesting idea… what do you think? http://kbismarck.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=584 What Exit? An old… --- ## [Resolved: That by the standards we hold today, the American War of Independence was wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-by-the-standards-we-hold-today-the-american-war-of-independence-was-wrong/1030628)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2026, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-by-the-standards-we-hold-today-the-american-war-of-independence-was-wrong/1030628 "2026-06-05T04:53:43Z")
More or less title says it all. If you disagree with the premise I’d like to hear your reasoning. --- ## [What are the best refutations of the idea that evil shouldn’t be done to stop worse evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-refutations-of-the-idea-that-evil-shouldn-t-be-done-to-stop-worse-evil/1030532)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-refutations-of-the-idea-that-evil-shouldn-t-be-done-to-stop-worse-evil/1030532 "2026-06-03T17:03:13Z")
There are people who think since it’s morally wrong to kill innocent people it would still be morally wrong to kill someone to stop even more people from dying (the trolley problem, the atomic bombings of Japan, etc.). W… --- ## [The hidden price of free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hidden-price-of-free/1030318)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hidden-price-of-free/1030318 "2026-05-31T20:42:42Z")
Netflix has a $17 tier where you get an ad free version of their streaming service. They also offer a reduced cost $8 tier where you have to watch 12 or 13 minutes of ads per hour. When people select a subscription, they… --- ## [Are there "Germany in WWII" historians that discourage any parallels between Hitler and Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-germany-in-wwii-historians-that-discourage-any-parallels-between-hitler-and-trump/1030313)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-germany-in-wwii-historians-that-discourage-any-parallels-between-hitler-and-trump/1030313 "2026-05-27T14:50:09Z")
I hear historians all the time that draw parallels between early Germany in or right before WWII, and the Trump administration today, in regard to attitudes, words and actions taken by the government and its leaders. Ar… --- ## [Every human invention from this point on will only be an improvement or innovation of an existing product](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-human-invention-from-this-point-on-will-only-be-an-improvement-or-innovation-of-an-existing-product/1029783)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-human-invention-from-this-point-on-will-only-be-an-improvement-or-innovation-of-an-existing-product/1029783 "2026-05-24T17:50:35Z")
It’s looking doubtful at this point that there will ever be another true groundbreaking big new invention of the scale of the airplane, submarine, nuclear reactor, printing press, automobile, telephone, engine, radio, co… --- ## [Neither conservatives nor liberals see a meaningful distinction between legal and illegal immigration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neither-conservatives-nor-liberals-see-a-meaningful-distinction-between-legal-and-illegal-immigration/1030185)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neither-conservatives-nor-liberals-see-a-meaningful-distinction-between-legal-and-illegal-immigration/1030185 "2026-05-20T04:02:53Z")
Nowadays there’s a whole right-wing meme on Facebook, “But they came here LEGALLY!”, usually as a caption underneath some photo or picture of dirty brown-skinned criminal or Muslim folks, mocking the idea that immigratio… --- ## [Why did France and Britain declare war on Germany after Poland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-france-and-britain-declare-war-on-germany-after-poland/1029577)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2026, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-france-and-britain-declare-war-on-germany-after-poland/1029577 "2026-05-16T03:17:55Z")
And why didnt they declare war on The Soviet Union when they invaded Poland? Yes, Chamberlain signed the Anglo-Polish Agreement on 31 March 1939 to contain Nazi Germany. Sure, but why? And since Britain had guaranteed t… --- ## [Trump/Xi Jinping Summit and the deal of the Century](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-xi-jinping-summit-and-the-deal-of-the-century/1030012)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2026, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-xi-jinping-summit-and-the-deal-of-the-century/1030012 "2026-05-14T12:19:49Z")
OK, a hypothetical. 45/47 travels to China this week for a State Visit which was delayed due to the outbreak of the Iranian Crisis, and I would expect it was REALLY hoped that the situation successfully resolved in the … --- ## [How well would a liberal tyranny/regime perform?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-would-a-liberal-tyranny-regime-perform/1029701)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-would-a-liberal-tyranny-regime-perform/1029701 "2026-05-09T22:04:33Z")
In nearly every discussion about what progressives want to achieve, the discussion always gets bogged down in the “Well, we don’t have the votes or power to achieve what we want” - be it climate-change action, LGBT, taxe… --- ## [Resolved: North Korea's survival has nothing to do with nuclear weapons and everything to do with their proximity to China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-north-koreas-survival-has-nothing-to-do-with-nuclear-weapons-and-everything-to-do-with-their-proximity-to-china/1029665)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-north-koreas-survival-has-nothing-to-do-with-nuclear-weapons-and-everything-to-do-with-their-proximity-to-china/1029665 "2026-05-05T23:53:45Z")
Continuing the discussion from Why should I care if country X gets a nuclear weapon?: The below idea about North Korea is repeated again and again in threads relating to Iran and other topics, often enough that I figure… --- ## [How do dictatorships stay in power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dictatorships-stay-in-power/1026184)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dictatorships-stay-in-power/1026184 "2026-05-05T18:05:10Z")
What are the most effective methods dictatorships (past and present) have used to stay in power and handle rebellion/crime? What dictatorships had the most effective balance of carrot and stick in their governance? I k… --- ## [Neville Chamberlain: Misunderstood Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neville-chamberlain-misunderstood-hero/1029248)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neville-chamberlain-misunderstood-hero/1029248 "2026-05-01T12:24:19Z")
Everything you probably think you know about Chamberlain – that he was a gullible fool who was easily manipulated by Hitler – is absolutely wrong. This post is based on the work of Dr. Gerhard Weinberg, an award-winning… --- ## [The California OS-level Age Confirmation Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-california-os-level-age-confirmation-law/1029270)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-california-os-level-age-confirmation-law/1029270 "2026-04-29T19:43:02Z")
Plenty of warnings and hype about how this law, and its likely clones in other states, are going to impinge on our privacy and subject us to intrusive surveillance — here for one example: I wish the people… --- ## [What is the point of supervised release with an ankle monitor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-supervised-release-with-an-ankle-monitor/1025075)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-supervised-release-with-an-ankle-monitor/1025075 "2026-04-27T18:52:05Z")
inspired by this recent event where the person on supervised release cut her monitor off and disappeared: 'Slender Man' stabbing assailant Morgan Geyser flees Wisconsin group home: Police - ABC News Thinking about it….w… --- ## [Are we making meaningful progress on climate change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-making-meaningful-progress-on-climate-change/1014146)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2026, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-making-meaningful-progress-on-climate-change/1014146 "2026-04-26T03:25:42Z")
The world produced 37.41 billion tons of CO2 in 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/276629/global-co2-emissions/ World GDP was 166 trillion in 2023. However, in 2012 the world produced 34.38 billion tons of CO… --- ## [Time to eliminate Senate filibusters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-eliminate-senate-filibusters/491756)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-eliminate-senate-filibusters/491756 "2026-04-22T14:32:26Z")
Is it time to finally do away with the filibuster in the Senate? In theory, the Senate is supposed to be the moderating house of Congress. And the filibuster is considered to be a part of that, by forcing the majority … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=4)