# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=306 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 307 --- ## [is artistic porn possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-artistic-porn-possible/638350)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-artistic-porn-possible/638350 "2012-10-25T12:15:01Z")
Years ago, Terry Southern (unappreciated genius that he was) wrote BLUE MOVIE in which a Kubrick-like director assembled an all-star cast and a first rate scriptwriter to make what was a XXX-rated film that was at the sa… --- ## [Is marriage obsolete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marriage-obsolete/638629)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marriage-obsolete/638629 "2012-10-25T03:26:06Z")
Here in Maine, there is a big controversy over a ballot issue that would, if passed, allow same-sex couples to marry. The rationale is always equal rights, which I can sort of understand. But I have a hard job equating … --- ## [Are We Getting Smarter Or Dumber?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-getting-smarter-or-dumber/637289)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-getting-smarter-or-dumber/637289 "2012-10-24T17:32:40Z")
Speaking evolutionary-wise, are we getting smarter or dumber as time goes by? I know we have been testing intelligence for some time now. So there must be some data to compare. Actually, the thing that inspired this thr… --- ## [Mark 16:9](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-16-9/634060)
**Author:** [@rstrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rstrats)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-16-9/634060 "2012-10-24T16:51:41Z")
A poster on another board, the topic of which was questioning the authenticity of the last 12 verses in the book of Mark, wrote that it doesn’t really matter because there is no doctrinal teaching in Mark 16:9-20 that ca… --- ## [Is universal alphabet possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-universal-alphabet-possible/512108)
**Author:** [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-universal-alphabet-possible/512108 "2012-10-24T08:47:52Z")
IANAL(inguist), just take it as my light hobby. Few days ago I started to wonder, if it would be possible, to make an universal alphabet suitable for all the languages of the planet Earth (and maybe for District 9 speci… --- ## [Manifest Destiny is controversial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manifest-destiny-is-controversial/638025)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manifest-destiny-is-controversial/638025 "2012-10-23T23:08:28Z")
GAP had to pull T-shirts with that – only that – written on them: I like to think I’m sensitive to people’s heritage, but this seems to be a case of what Bloom County called “Offensensitivity”. On the other hand, may… --- ## [SCOTUS should preserve race-based AA because we are not created equal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-should-preserve-race-based-aa-because-we-are-not-created-equal/638219)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-should-preserve-race-based-aa-because-we-are-not-created-equal/638219 "2012-10-23T20:39:16Z")
Well-meaning social policy based on a faulty premise will backfire. Here’s the faulty premise: Given equal opportunity, SIRE (Self-Identified Race/Ethnic) groups will perform about the same. Fisher v U Texas Austin is… --- ## [How does the sun REALLY work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-sun-really-work/638247)
**Author:** [@Cmoore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmoore)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-sun-really-work/638247 "2012-10-23T19:04:18Z")
We all know what current mainstream science says; the sun is a ball of mostly hydrogen and helium gas, the pressure in it’s core is enough to create the temperature required for nuclear fusion which powers it. However th… --- ## [George Washington vs Great Britain's "B" Team?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-washington-vs-great-britains-b-team/636929)
**Author:** [@montag01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/montag01)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-washington-vs-great-britains-b-team/636929 "2012-10-23T18:28:45Z")
A while back I read a statement online–perhaps on this very message board–that George Washington never faced the best generals Great Britain could field, precisely because those better generals were either sympathetic to… --- ## [Can someone explain the whole Israel conflict to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-whole-israel-conflict-to-me/636180)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-whole-israel-conflict-to-me/636180 "2012-10-23T15:43:37Z")
Disclaimer: I am not a troll, or even a Jewish individual – I’m a white guy with no real denomination. I consider myself liberal-leaning/atheist otherwise who prefers to judge things by merit of evidence. That being sai… --- ## [Crazy insane hypothesis: You're not born gay or not gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-insane-hypothesis-youre-not-born-gay-or-not-gay/638449)
**Author:** [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-insane-hypothesis-youre-not-born-gay-or-not-gay/638449 "2012-10-22T22:41:31Z")
The evidence for a genetic contribution to homosexuality is small and the size of the contribution is small. What do we conclude from this? Obviously, we should conclude that anyone can potentially be attracted to the o… --- ## [Where do we draw the line at personal responsibility when it comes to transactions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-we-draw-the-line-at-personal-responsibility-when-it-comes-to-transactions/638548)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-we-draw-the-line-at-personal-responsibility-when-it-comes-to-transactions/638548 "2012-10-22T19:34:49Z")
For instance, during the financial crisis, the argument seemed to go as follows depending on who you spoke to. “The lenders are to blame! They were forcing financially-deleterious deals on people who were ignorant and d… --- ## [Ethics of underage looking sexdolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-underage-looking-sexdolls/525260)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-underage-looking-sexdolls/525260 "2012-10-22T16:52:40Z")
Wierd thread title aside, I was reading an article about Realdolls and the author was talking about all the weird custom requests he got. One particularly disturbing request was underage-looking dolls. Of course at first… --- ## [Americans - how do you morally justify drone strikes in the "War on Terror"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-how-do-you-morally-justify-drone-strikes-in-the-war-on-terror/637440)
**Author:** [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\ **Replies:** 386\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-how-do-you-morally-justify-drone-strikes-in-the-war-on-terror/637440 "2012-10-22T14:07:20Z")
Inspired by this thread. In the linked thread, posters are debating the technical legality of the use of drone strikes in furtherance of the “War on Terror”. Frankly, I couldn’t give two shits about the legality of it. … --- ## [Free birth control lowers abortion rate dramatically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810 "2012-10-22T12:09:11Z")
Ya think? Will this study change any minds? Seems to me that spending a little money now can save massive amounts of money later, and drop the abortion rate by 2/3 at the same time. Will fiscal responsibility trump trea… --- ## [Can someone explain the pros/cons of the war on terror/drugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-pros-cons-of-the-war-on-terror-drugs/638045)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-pros-cons-of-the-war-on-terror-drugs/638045 "2012-10-21T00:50:25Z")
My current understanding is that waging a war against these things is largely a waste of time. Making drugs illegal, for instance, gives way to underground markets and all sorts of other problems involving violence. Proh… --- ## [Arguments against same sex marriage the same as arguments against interracial marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-against-same-sex-marriage-the-same-as-arguments-against-interracial-marriage/621485)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-against-same-sex-marriage-the-same-as-arguments-against-interracial-marriage/621485 "2012-10-20T11:40:26Z")
From what I can tell, arguments against same gender marriage mirror that of the arguments that were made in the '60s as “evidence” that interracial marriage should be outlawed. There is a recent article in The Atlantic … --- ## [How does minimalist art sell for so much money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-minimalist-art-sell-for-so-much-money/637331)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-minimalist-art-sell-for-so-much-money/637331 "2012-10-20T11:37:59Z")
I mainly refer to stuff like or a lot of the works by Example: Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) or stuff like this by Lee Ufan (whose art was featured at the Guggenheim not too long ago. As an example one of his vertical… --- ## [Which US political party would benefit the most from ending the Drug War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-political-party-would-benefit-the-most-from-ending-the-drug-war/638287)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-political-party-would-benefit-the-most-from-ending-the-drug-war/638287 "2012-10-20T00:12:15Z")
I support Obama but admit my only real issue with him is his continuation of the failed War on Drugs (War on American citizens). I am really disappointed in Obama here. I just want legal MMJ shops for now. Republicans… --- ## [Why do I have to agree to Microsoft's new Terms of Use before I can update Adobe Reader on my phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-to-agree-to-microsofts-new-terms-of-use-before-i-can-update-adobe-reader-on-my-phone/638258)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-to-agree-to-microsofts-new-terms-of-use-before-i-can-update-adobe-reader-on-my-phone/638258 "2012-10-19T18:45:00Z")
My Windows phone is telling me that Adobe Reader has an update available. When I try to do the update it’s requiring me to first agree to Microsoft’s new Terms of Use which include, among other things, agreeing to bindin… --- ## [It's Ulster Day! \[09-29-2012\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-ulster-day-09-29-2012/636249)
**Author:** [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-ulster-day-09-29-2012/636249 "2012-10-19T18:44:19Z")
I was interested to see that today is the 100th anniversary of Northern Ireland’s covenant with the UK (a.k.a. Ulster Day). Apparently, 30,000 celebrants marched thru Belfast earlier today not counting spectators. Any … --- ## [1st Circuit Court of Appeals: Defense of Marriage Act is Unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-circuit-court-of-appeals-defense-of-marriage-act-is-unconstitutional/623653)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 531\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-circuit-court-of-appeals-defense-of-marriage-act-is-unconstitutional/623653 "2012-10-19T03:08:40Z")
I agree completely. Will this be the end of marriage discrimination on the basis of sexual preference, or will it go to the Supreme Court? I think any conservatives that pursue this are going to be damaged. --- ## [Pitfalls of an over-educated workforce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitfalls-of-an-over-educated-workforce/635873)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitfalls-of-an-over-educated-workforce/635873 "2012-10-19T00:25:28Z")
In this thread about the substitute refs in the NFL, Whack-a-Mole said: To which magellan01 replied: . . . a sentiment to which I can (generally) agree, despite being, I think, on a very different position on the pol… --- ## [Was the economy really "on the verge of collapse"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-economy-really-on-the-verge-of-collapse/636721)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-economy-really-on-the-verge-of-collapse/636721 "2012-10-17T19:51:40Z")
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Is there solid evidence that if the unemployment rate had been slightly higher that the economy would have collapsed or is all the talk just political hyperbole? --- ## [Should Dr. Shakir Hamoodi be in prison?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-dr-shakir-hamoodi-be-in-prison/637932)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-dr-shakir-hamoodi-be-in-prison/637932 "2012-10-17T15:28:21Z")
Some info here. (It’s a pro-Hamoodi petition website.) The basic points from the site: Hamoodi was sending about $20 a month to his family in Iraq while there were economic sanctions against Iraq. Friends started aski… --- ## [Medical ethics questions about informed consent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-ethics-questions-about-informed-consent/637706)
**Author:** [@drkstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drkstar)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-ethics-questions-about-informed-consent/637706 "2012-10-17T14:55:30Z")
Two patients are suing a doctor and Stanford University claiming that they were unwitting participants in a unapproved experiment to correct a condition called CCSVI: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20121010006559/e… --- ## [Humans that wrongfully think that the world was was created for them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-that-wrongfully-think-that-the-world-was-was-created-for-them/637764)
**Author:** [@Standarduser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standarduser)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-that-wrongfully-think-that-the-world-was-was-created-for-them/637764 "2012-10-17T14:01:39Z")
Ive read somewhere about some kind a of psychological thing that makes humans “humanise” and rationalize everything. If people look at clouds or rocks or everything they will tend to make out a face in them. And ive rea… --- ## [Voter ID vs Majority Rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-vs-majority-rule/636439)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-vs-majority-rule/636439 "2012-10-17T02:05:01Z")
If there are two topics this message board loves it’s libertarianism and voter id laws, so what could be better than a thread that combines them both! If (and when) voter ID laws are put to a vote, and pass by 50% +1, s… --- ## [Long time Unitarian Universalist looking for more](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-unitarian-universalist-looking-for-more/637717)
**Author:** [@SeasideMel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeasideMel)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-unitarian-universalist-looking-for-more/637717 "2012-10-16T19:32:51Z")
I’ve been a UU for over a decade. I used to be very happy with it, but after some personal crises, I’ve developed a desire for faith and a personal God. These are not emphasized in UU. In addition, the UU church I belong… --- ## [Why didn't the Fed make the emergency 2008 loans instead of Congress via TARP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-fed-make-the-emergency-2008-loans-instead-of-congress-via-tarp/637821)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-fed-make-the-emergency-2008-loans-instead-of-congress-via-tarp/637821 "2012-10-16T18:53:26Z")
Let us use Citigroup as an example. Citi was loaned $45 billion from TARP in the form of preferred stock purchases by the Treasury. Did the Fed see Citi as too much risk? Why put Congress through the uncertainty and … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=305) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=307)