# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=363 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 364 --- ## [Is there really a shortage of jobs, or have we failed to solve the overpopulation problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-shortage-of-jobs-or-have-we-failed-to-solve-the-overpopulation-problem/589928)
**Author:** [@Cyclone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyclone)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-shortage-of-jobs-or-have-we-failed-to-solve-the-overpopulation-problem/589928 "2011-10-09T22:21:17Z")
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/07/21/eveningnews/main20081590.shtml?tag=stack CBS News reported tonight that many labor intensive jobs are now being taken over by robots. Operating a robot takes more advance train… --- ## [The American prison system makes no sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-prison-system-makes-no-sense/598917)
**Author:** [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-prison-system-makes-no-sense/598917 "2011-10-09T18:11:20Z")
I’ve been watching Lockdown which is a national geographic documentary series about different prisons around the country. It’s pretty fascinating to me how crafty the inmates are, how different their priorities and outl… --- ## [The Morality of Debt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-morality-of-debt/598555)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-morality-of-debt/598555 "2011-10-09T03:03:41Z")
\[Inspired by this: What do you think of lenders pursuing deficiency judgments against defaulting homeowners? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board \] I’ve been thinking about the morality of debt, lately, and cam… --- ## [The Republicans Can STFU About "Job Creators"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-can-stfu-about-job-creators/597081)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-can-stfu-about-job-creators/597081 "2011-10-08T20:38:03Z")
The big corporations and wealthy elite in America are sitting on tons of cash right now, this is known. They are not hiring, this is also known. Hell, they’re not even giving their people raises. Therefore, they are no… --- ## [What if William the Norman had not conquered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-william-the-norman-had-not-conquered/598684)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-william-the-norman-had-not-conquered/598684 "2011-10-08T16:44:37Z")
Suppose, in 1066, Harald Hardrada of Norway had for whatever reason decided not to invade England that year. Harold Godwinsson, not worn out with defeating Harald, could have faced William with a fresh force and, perhap… --- ## [What if vertebrates had six limbs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-vertebrates-had-six-limbs/595954)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-vertebrates-had-six-limbs/595954 "2011-10-08T16:02:39Z")
Kindasorta inspired by this thread, though I’ve mulled the idea before. Vertebrates have no more than four limbs. Well, that’s economical, land-dwellers need four and no more to get around; some get by with two or none… --- ## [Vice Businesses and Related Crime.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-businesses-and-related-crime/598660)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2011, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-businesses-and-related-crime/598660 "2011-10-08T07:37:11Z")
It is an argument people often make. Allow an adult business somewhere, like a topless bar or an adult book store, and allegedly related crime will follow. Vagrancy, prostitution, drugs and the like. My only question: i… --- ## [Refute Old Earth Creationism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refute-old-earth-creationism/276896)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refute-old-earth-creationism/276896 "2011-10-07T22:18:25Z")
Any evidence that the Earth is more than 6 or 10 tousand years old would suffice to refute Young Earth Creationsism. But proponents of OEC accept that the Big Bang occured and the Earth is billions of years old (the 6 “… --- ## [Are humans the next endangered species?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-the-next-endangered-species/597116)
**Author:** [@Schyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schyler)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-the-next-endangered-species/597116 "2011-10-07T00:14:10Z")
I watched a program on the History International the other night about dire predictions from some wellknown “thinkers”. How the world might end quicker than you think because. . . One theory was that we’d run out of wa… --- ## [Japan criminalizes paying protection and extortion money to organized crime.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-criminalizes-paying-protection-and-extortion-money-to-organized-crime/598404)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-criminalizes-paying-protection-and-extortion-money-to-organized-crime/598404 "2011-10-06T20:14:06Z")
Pay the danegeld, go to jail (The Japanese government has it all in manga form. Because Japan, presumably.) I know we have some NihonDopers among us, but this could be a template for other places the moment politician… --- ## [Happy Birthday, Lee Harvey Oswald](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-lee-harvey-oswald/598612)
**Author:** [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-lee-harvey-oswald/598612 "2011-10-06T19:43:50Z")
A bit late, I know. Not because he’s dead, but because it was a few days ago. Oswald had an interesting life and it’s a real shame that all we remember him for is the assassination which he alleged commited in Dallas. S… --- ## [Being robbed - safer to pull a gun or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-robbed-safer-to-pull-a-gun-or-not/597111)
**Author:** [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-robbed-safer-to-pull-a-gun-or-not/597111 "2011-10-06T05:45:28Z")
I know it’s a complicated question, which is why I’m really interested in cites here - if I’m being robbed, does it make it more ore less dangerous for me to have a gun? My thinking here is that on the one hand, if I hav… --- ## [Did I insult Native Americans today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-insult-native-americans-today/597958)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-insult-native-americans-today/597958 "2011-10-06T05:24:03Z")
A debate may break out here, but in case not, mods feel free to move. I am in law school and we had a mock oral argument today regarding a pretend appellate issue. I am “representing” a fake Indian tribe who is attempt… --- ## [Should The USA Widen The Afghan War ? (To Pakistan)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-usa-widen-the-afghan-war-to-pakistan/598428)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-usa-widen-the-afghan-war-to-pakistan/598428 "2011-10-06T02:20:34Z")
The latest remarks by Adm. Mullen have gotten me scared-there was also an item that 90% of the IEDs found in Afghansitan came from Pakistan. It seems like the US is in the same position that it was in 1969 (in Vietnam)-… --- ## [Do Girls Mature Faster Than Boys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-girls-mature-faster-than-boys/29624)
**Author:** [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-girls-mature-faster-than-boys/29624 "2011-10-06T02:15:25Z")
I don’t think so. I’ve heard this applied so many times by countless (i.e. I haven’t counted them yet) people and movies as to why teenage girls are more attracted to the older guys. Speaking from an emotional point of v… --- ## [It appears Iran wants to park some ships off our east coast.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-appears-iran-wants-to-park-some-ships-off-our-east-coast/597882)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Ayebaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Ayebaw)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-appears-iran-wants-to-park-some-ships-off-our-east-coast/597882 "2011-10-06T01:01:06Z")
Seems about as credible as North Korea’s weekly threats, but I got some questions on this anyways. Could they actually do it? I mean, are their ships capable of making it out that far without refueling? How many sh… --- ## [question to non-literal Christans regarding understanding the Bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-to-non-literal-christans-regarding-understanding-the-bible/597941)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-to-non-literal-christans-regarding-understanding-the-bible/597941 "2011-10-05T22:23:25Z")
This is intended as a question coming out of curiosity to “regular/nonfundamental” Christians that do not interpret the Bible literally, like most Christians probably do. My question is : if it’s not literal , what does… --- ## [What do you think of lenders pursuing deficiency judgments against defaulting homeowners?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-lenders-pursuing-deficiency-judgments-against-defaulting-homeowners/598467)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-lenders-pursuing-deficiency-judgments-against-defaulting-homeowners/598467 "2011-10-05T18:52:47Z")
Last year, we had a few threads on the SDMB about people who owed more on their house than it was worth, and who were deciding to walk away from their mortgages. Some were in Great Debates: http://boards.straightdope.co… --- ## [Sexual attraction to midgets and the morbidly obese...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-attraction-to-midgets-and-the-morbidly-obese/51055)
**Author:** [@RailroadShorty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RailroadShorty)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-attraction-to-midgets-and-the-morbidly-obese/51055 "2011-10-05T18:14:04Z")
First a few statements of fact: There exists a body of erotica and pornography devoted to “average” men who are attracted to morbidly obese women. To a lesser degree, there also exists similar material which caters to “… --- ## [Protests happening around the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protests-happening-around-the-world/598554)
**Author:** [@rozzybear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rozzybear)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protests-happening-around-the-world/598554 "2011-10-05T16:14:51Z")
You may or may not be aware of the protests that started in NY on September 17. The purpose of this protest, and others that have started around the U.S. and world, is to finally stand up to corporate greed that has been… --- ## [What would happen if the mass media lied about the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-mass-media-lied-about-the-economy/597924)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2011, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-mass-media-lied-about-the-economy/597924 "2011-10-05T03:55:56Z")
This is a hypothetical. I know you can’t debate a hypothetical but I’m posting this here as I think it’s the best place for it. Mods, if I’m wrong, you have my apologies. In this hypo’ you first have to imagine there is… --- ## [Who messed up in regard to the Casy Anthony fiasco?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-messed-up-in-regard-to-the-casy-anthony-fiasco/598628)
**Author:** [@k8see](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k8see)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-messed-up-in-regard-to-the-casy-anthony-fiasco/598628 "2011-10-05T01:26:08Z")
I am struggling with what I view as a courtroom fiasco in the CA trial. In my opinion she was guilty of, at least, child abuse. This was reflected in the lesser charges advanced to the jury for deliberation. The jury … --- ## [Should Realtors and appraisers use foreclosed houses when calculating comps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-realtors-and-appraisers-use-foreclosed-houses-when-calculating-comps/598487)
**Author:** [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-realtors-and-appraisers-use-foreclosed-houses-when-calculating-comps/598487 "2011-10-04T18:50:53Z")
When you’re selling your home or seeking a refinance, Realtors and appraisers will “run your comps” which basically means looking at houses in your area with the same comparables to you. Same # of bedrooms, same # of bat… --- ## [Knox verdict overturned. Was there probable cause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knox-verdict-overturned-was-there-probable-cause/598474)
**Author:** [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knox-verdict-overturned-was-there-probable-cause/598474 "2011-10-04T17:31:06Z")
Amanda Knox’s verdict has been overturned. Would our criminal law practitioners care to weigh in on whether they thought there was enough probable cause to try her per US rules, and any other thoughts they might have. h… --- ## [Greek debt crisis: Could Greece decree lower wages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-debt-crisis-could-greece-decree-lower-wages/598534)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-debt-crisis-could-greece-decree-lower-wages/598534 "2011-10-04T15:29:29Z")
People keep bringing up that, if only Greece had its own currency, it could devalue it in order to make its exports cheaper by comparison, and this would increase exports and help the economy. Since Greece is in the Euro… --- ## [Affirmative Action Bake Sale: Offensive or Funny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/affirmative-action-bake-sale-offensive-or-funny/598090)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/affirmative-action-bake-sale-offensive-or-funny/598090 "2011-10-04T15:26:55Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/25/us/california-racial-bake-sale/index.html Personally I find it to be just political satire (and very funny satire at that) but apparently people of intelligence seem to be offended by it. S… --- ## [Guerrilla War Terrible Tricks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guerrilla-war-terrible-tricks/598550)
**Author:** [@Abisafyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abisafyan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guerrilla-war-terrible-tricks/598550 "2011-10-04T14:29:43Z")
Guerrilla War Terrible Tricks Once upon a time some pages of an extremely sought after book came to my hand and being student, young, raring to go & an agog trainee under the Holy Jihad Training Camp during Afghan Jihad… --- ## [Why are fertility rates higher among lower-income American women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fertility-rates-higher-among-lower-income-american-women/597785)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fertility-rates-higher-among-lower-income-american-women/597785 "2011-10-04T14:01:49Z")
(Inspired by this Slate article, arguing that the sharp divide between fertility of middle-class and poor American women will work to further entrench class differences from generation to generation: America's Fertility … --- ## [Pro-lifers, pregnancy, medical costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-pregnancy-medical-costs/596597)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-pregnancy-medical-costs/596597 "2011-10-04T11:55:18Z")
Just posing some hypotheticals here… Not that I’ve read everything out there, but I’ve read the standard pro-life and religious responses to situations in which girls or women became pregnant as the result of rape or in… --- ## [What would the results be if stem cells are as revolutionary as claimed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-results-be-if-stem-cells-are-as-revolutionary-as-claimed/598513)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2011, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-results-be-if-stem-cells-are-as-revolutionary-as-claimed/598513 "2011-10-04T11:23:36Z")
As far as I know, we are now able to take a persons own cells from areas like bone marrow and use them to make pluripotent stem cells, which can then be used to make tissues and organs w/o immune rejection. So if everyt… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=362) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=364)