# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=337 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 338 --- ## [How much is man meant to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-man-meant-to-work/614315)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-man-meant-to-work/614315 "2012-03-11T16:36:36Z")
“Life without industry is guilt; industry without art is brutality.” that’s my favorite quote, but not because i’m a particularly industrious fellow. i just relate to it–particularly the “guilt” part. as a freelancer, … --- ## [Resolved: Under The Affordable Care Act, No One Is Paying For Anyone Else's Birth Control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-under-the-affordable-care-act-no-one-is-paying-for-anyone-elses-birth-control/615198)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-under-the-affordable-care-act-no-one-is-paying-for-anyone-elses-birth-control/615198 "2012-03-10T14:44:47Z")
Once again Republicans have managed to obfuscate the point with manufactured outrage that forces us to talk about things that are completely irrelevant to the subject at hand. And even Sandra Fluke got it wrong—cost is … --- ## [Mainstream Christians and Jews: Be honest, what do you think of Mormons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mainstream-christians-and-jews-be-honest-what-do-you-think-of-mormons/614289)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mainstream-christians-and-jews-be-honest-what-do-you-think-of-mormons/614289 "2012-03-10T03:00:47Z")
I have never (knowingly) been around many Mormons, never knew much about them, never thought much about them. I think most Americans are in the same boat, or at least they were until Romney’s candidacy got a lot of conv… --- ## [Would it be theoretically possible for humans to wipe out all life on Earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-theoretically-possible-for-humans-to-wipe-out-all-life-on-earth/613824)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-theoretically-possible-for-humans-to-wipe-out-all-life-on-earth/613824 "2012-03-09T22:11:31Z")
Never mind that this is a lunatic idea that would never happen–I’m just wondering how much power we’d have to do so if, I don’t know, some bizarre brain parasite started controlling our thoughts the way this one apparent… --- ## [Past the technolgical singularity, is communism the only way forward?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/past-the-technolgical-singularity-is-communism-the-only-way-forward/614440)
**Author:** [@spankthecrumpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spankthecrumpet)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/past-the-technolgical-singularity-is-communism-the-only-way-forward/614440 "2012-03-09T20:35:48Z")
Seems to me that once computers are capable of doing anything humans can do then there is no reason at all why anyone should work. We then face a problem of resource allocation, presumably to a population that will be at… --- ## [Higgs Boson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/higgs-boson/615259)
**Author:** [@armstrong-m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armstrong-m)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/higgs-boson/615259 "2012-03-09T15:45:05Z")
If the Higgs Boson is found to exist does that prove that god doesn’t exist? --- ## [Believers: What part of your dogma do you not accept?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-what-part-of-your-dogma-do-you-not-accept/614009)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-what-part-of-your-dogma-do-you-not-accept/614009 "2012-03-09T13:50:50Z")
Or maybe it’s not that you don’t accept it, but you’re agnostic about it and choose not to dwell on it. Even though fellow congregants don’t share this view and would probably be shocked if they learned how you truly fe… --- ## [The politics of Quran burning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-politics-of-quran-burning/613754)
**Author:** [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-politics-of-quran-burning/613754 "2012-03-09T11:02:48Z")
I don’t support book burning, or Quran burning, or Bible burning. But, I find the images and descriptions of violent outrage shown by Muslim communities, in reaction to Quran burning, to be much more upsetting. There hav… --- ## [Lawsuit Against Jesus (Statue)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawsuit-against-jesus-statue/611475)
**Author:** [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawsuit-against-jesus-statue/611475 "2012-03-09T03:16:19Z")
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Annie Laurie Gaylor, but I’m not really behind her on her objection to the Statue of Jesus she wants to see removed in Montana. I agree with her basic argument: “A federal a… --- ## [Putin's Back: Good or Bad For US-Russia Relations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putins-back-good-or-bad-for-us-russia-relations/615037)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putins-back-good-or-bad-for-us-russia-relations/615037 "2012-03-08T19:09:29Z")
Frankly, the abuse heaped on this guy (by the Western media) makes me think Putin is OK. I think he is basically a technocrat, who wants to modernize Russia. So why not play ball with him? Russia is a major power-they … --- ## [They're coming for your Plan-B](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-coming-for-your-plan-b/613711)
**Author:** [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Replies:** 514\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-coming-for-your-plan-b/613711 "2012-03-08T18:55:18Z")
At least I expect that to be the way this is soon portrayed. In summary, a Federal judge ruled (for the second time) that Washington cannot force pharmacies to stock Plan-B if they do not want to. Needless to say, I thin… --- ## [What if we had to restart technology from scratch, but with all the knowledge we have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-had-to-restart-technology-from-scratch-but-with-all-the-knowledge-we-have/609131)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 211\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-had-to-restart-technology-from-scratch-but-with-all-the-knowledge-we-have/609131 "2012-03-08T18:22:31Z")
My thread about a robot takeover turned out great, so I’ve got another sci-fi scenario for you, albeit a more fanciful one. Not a lot of people watched the show Stargate: Universe, but those who did saw an intriguing sc… --- ## [Maryland gun law found unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maryland-gun-law-found-unconstitutional/614848)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maryland-gun-law-found-unconstitutional/614848 "2012-03-08T13:08:54Z")
“Maryland’s requirement that residents show a “good and substantial reason” to get a handgun permit is unconstitutional, according to a federal judge’s opinion filed Monday.” “A citizen may not be required to offer a … --- ## [Ireland to have referendum on EU Fiscal Stability Treaty.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ireland-to-have-referendum-on-eu-fiscal-stability-treaty/614265)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2012, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ireland-to-have-referendum-on-eu-fiscal-stability-treaty/614265 "2012-03-08T08:36:11Z")
So Ireland now has to ratify the European Union Fiscal Stability Treaty. Previously the Irish public has voted down EU treaties only to be forced to the polls again by the powers that be. What happens this time if Irelan… --- ## [Any realistic way out of the Greece mess whatsoever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-realistic-way-out-of-the-greece-mess-whatsoever/613508)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2012, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-realistic-way-out-of-the-greece-mess-whatsoever/613508 "2012-03-08T05:01:06Z")
Apologies if I should’ve bumped an older thread; feel free to merge in if so. Thinking about its recent bailout. All I really “get” about this issue is that Greece going down would bring down the entire world economy w… --- ## [Senator McCain calls for U.S. intervention in Syria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-mccain-calls-for-u-s-intervention-in-syria/614936)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-mccain-calls-for-u-s-intervention-in-syria/614936 "2012-03-07T19:16:09Z")
No, really: Yeah, Senator, it’s pretty bad. But it could get even worse. Syria is a lot more complicated than Libya. Anyone else think this is a good idea? --- ## [Is it "cheating" to sleep with someone else while "on a break" from a relationship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-cheating-to-sleep-with-someone-else-while-on-a-break-from-a-relationship/613822)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-cheating-to-sleep-with-someone-else-while-on-a-break-from-a-relationship/613822 "2012-03-06T23:42:21Z")
This question comes from scenarios in two television shows: \*Parenthood \*just recently; and an old episode of Friends. Now it may seem silly to debate the actions of people on a TV show; but what I find fascinating is h… --- ## [Could fighters have at least partially replaced bombers in WWII Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-fighters-have-at-least-partially-replaced-bombers-in-wwii-europe/613229)
**Author:** [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-fighters-have-at-least-partially-replaced-bombers-in-wwii-europe/613229 "2012-03-06T20:55:32Z")
Related to the thread in GQ about strafing a locomotive. If I remember my history correctly, the air war in Western Europe focused on long range strategic bombing. The RAF bombed at night, and the USAAF bombed during th… --- ## [Stricter justic better, perhaps eye for eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stricter-justic-better-perhaps-eye-for-eye/614698)
**Author:** [@mac9891](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac9891)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stricter-justic-better-perhaps-eye-for-eye/614698 "2012-03-06T15:23:30Z")
In the United States many agree that the current justice system is broken, but there seems no better alternative. People go to jail are usually not rehabilitated but rather a more hardened criminal. I’m not suggesting … --- ## [Wait a sec... Doesn't birth control pay for itself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-doesnt-birth-control-pay-for-itself/612909)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-doesnt-birth-control-pay-for-itself/612909 "2012-03-06T14:18:17Z")
How can certain employers complain that they’re being forced to pay for contraceptive coverage in their employees’ health plans? that: A) The mandate is that insurance companies provide the coverage for no additional … --- ## [Is Emanuel Levinas that important?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-emanuel-levinas-that-important/614701)
**Author:** [@WmJames](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WmJames)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-emanuel-levinas-that-important/614701 "2012-03-06T04:11:18Z")
I am professor of religion. i went through graduate school back in the 80’s when Derrida and deconstructionism was in vogue. I thought its insights were not new, but the dense, turgid writing made it sound mysterious. on… --- ## [People Aren't Smart Enough for Democracy to Flourish, Scientists Say](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-arent-smart-enough-for-democracy-to-flourish-scientists-say/614714)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-arent-smart-enough-for-democracy-to-flourish-scientists-say/614714 "2012-03-06T03:54:43Z")
People Aren’t Smart Enough for Democracy to Flourish, Scientists Say note, the article merely concerns itself with so-called “representative democracy,” but the results would probably be the same for real democracy. N… --- ## [Perfect example of USA's morals being ass-backwards--CAUGHT ON TAPE!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-example-of-usas-morals-being-ass-backwards-caught-on-tape/614339)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-example-of-usas-morals-being-ass-backwards-caught-on-tape/614339 "2012-03-05T23:07:01Z")
Recently, a video appeared on YouTube that reportedly shows several U.S. troops urinating on some corpses of Taliban fighters killed by U.S. forces. Not unexpectedly, this video became a big deal and was reported by man… --- ## [Why did the Vietnam US POW rumors stay alive so long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-vietnam-us-pow-rumors-stay-alive-so-long/613888)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-vietnam-us-pow-rumors-stay-alive-so-long/613888 "2012-03-05T20:26:36Z")
I remember news stories from the 1990’s when John MCCain Jr went to Vietnam (back to) to investigate any remaining US POWs there. That was decades after though; so why was the “bring our POWs home” thing so long lasting… --- ## [Why ARE so many creative people Gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-creative-people-gay/614650)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-creative-people-gay/614650 "2012-03-05T20:23:55Z")
(If this would work better in the Jews Thread, please feel free to move it.) My Israeli friends are often boastful of how many Nobel prizes are held by Jews. There is a thread on the subject. But does the same sort of e… --- ## [Why is the US behind educationally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-us-behind-educationally/613909)
**Author:** [@ruthandrews10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruthandrews10)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-us-behind-educationally/613909 "2012-03-05T18:26:26Z")
In order for the US to be top ranked in mathematics, and the sciences, then we would need to change our educational system. Our ranking is important because it distinguishes us with the top scientists and thinkers in the… --- ## [Lindbergh Baby dropped on its noggin 80 years ago this week](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lindbergh-baby-dropped-on-its-noggin-80-years-ago-this-week/614553)
**Author:** [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lindbergh-baby-dropped-on-its-noggin-80-years-ago-this-week/614553 "2012-03-05T14:39:18Z")
He could still very well be alive; 80 is not very old, poor little tyke. My mother (born into a wealthy Phila. family in 1921) remembered very well the kidnapping terror that went around in the early 1930s–though, knowin… --- ## [Giving Saakashvili armament... once again?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-saakashvili-armament-once-again/614436)
**Author:** [@Cubuz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubuz)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-saakashvili-armament-once-again/614436 "2012-03-05T05:49:36Z")
Here is the deal… US Congress voted for more close military cooperation with Georgia as a result of which Georgia will get new weapons not only from US but also from NATO members… The feature was included into Pentagon’… --- ## [Tax-free state payment of $15k/£10k to get sterilized](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-free-state-payment-of-15k-10k-to-get-sterilized/614290)
**Author:** [@spankthecrumpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spankthecrumpet)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-free-state-payment-of-15k-10k-to-get-sterilized/614290 "2012-03-04T23:34:49Z")
Suppose a new social policy was introuced tomorrow. Anyone under the age of thirty five who was childless could accept a five figure sum from the government to be made sterile. Absolutely no government or private policie… --- ## [Was World War I avoidable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-world-war-i-avoidable/610900)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-world-war-i-avoidable/610900 "2012-03-04T16:54:28Z")
In another thread, somebody said that if they could travel back in time, they’d stop Gavril Princip from assassinating Franz Ferdinand and thereby prevent World War I (and by extension a lot of subsequent history). Do y… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=336) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=338)