# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=38 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 39 --- ## [Ancient History (Rome): Did Spartacus have any big plan or did he just run amok for a few years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-history-rome-did-spartacus-have-any-big-plan-or-did-he-just-run-amok-for-a-few-years/941422)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2021, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-history-rome-did-spartacus-have-any-big-plan-or-did-he-just-run-amok-for-a-few-years/941422 "2021-05-08T12:59:11Z")
The story of Spartacus and his slave rebellion in ancient history (circa 100 BC) is famous. Stories and even movies have been made of it. Spartacus certainly was a good general and caused the Romans a lot of trouble bu… --- ## [Do we now live in a new reality where pandemics are more common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-now-live-in-a-new-reality-where-pandemics-are-more-common/941218)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2021, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-now-live-in-a-new-reality-where-pandemics-are-more-common/941218 "2021-05-08T11:53:19Z")
Now that we have a world population of nearly 8 billion and the world is highly globalized, with more air travel than ever, I am wondering if we are just living on borrowed time. Like some critical mass of population and… --- ## [Coronavirus (COVID-19) conspiracy theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-conspiracy-theory/848434)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-conspiracy-theory/848434 "2021-05-05T19:36:30Z")
I’ve seen denunciations of coronavirus conspiracy theories (e.g. here) and also articles in the media putting forth a theory which seems very similar (e.g. here). I’m wondering if they’re the same theory, and if so, on … --- ## [Is there a good reason to order drone strikes on civilians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-reason-to-order-drone-strikes-on-civilians/941260)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2021, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-reason-to-order-drone-strikes-on-civilians/941260 "2021-05-04T20:34:03Z")
Some who consider themselves on the left side of the political spectrum argue that Obama is a war criminal for his drone strikes, and this interests me. Part of the reason is that he wasn’t a career politician with finge… --- ## [If great criminal success also requires hard work, why don't those people just focus on legitimate endeavours with less risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-great-criminal-success-also-requires-hard-work-why-dont-those-people-just-focus-on-legitimate-endeavours-with-less-risk/924924)
**Author:** [@wiskaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wiskaz)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-great-criminal-success-also-requires-hard-work-why-dont-those-people-just-focus-on-legitimate-endeavours-with-less-risk/924924 "2021-05-04T15:29:37Z")
Something I struggle to understand. P.S. Not talking about petty criminals but more about serious El Chapo-type enterprises. --- ## [Is it racist to like Led Zeppelin's "The Immigrant Song"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-racist-to-like-led-zeppelins-the-immigrant-song/929943)
**Author:** [@ArtBeforeScience](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArtBeforeScience)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2021, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-racist-to-like-led-zeppelins-the-immigrant-song/929943 "2021-05-04T06:40:35Z")
There’s a delightful version of this song in ancient Norse. Then I listened to original again and remembered how much I loved it as a teen. The original I linked to is actually the trailer for Ragnarok, which I didn’t se… --- ## [Why are there "Massage Parlors" in the Unites States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-massage-parlors-in-the-unites-states/938289)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2021, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-massage-parlors-in-the-unites-states/938289 "2021-05-02T14:52:57Z")
As I understand it, these are simply storefront bordellos. Please correct me if I am wrong. Why in the world are they allowed to remain open? Do they have some legal cover I do not understand? --- ## [The Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929: yes or no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-permanent-apportionment-act-of-1929-yes-or-no/940815)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2021, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-permanent-apportionment-act-of-1929-yes-or-no/940815 "2021-05-02T06:11:09Z")
The new apportionment numbers for the House of Representatives was just announced. So let’s talk about a related issue; the size of the House of Representatives. It originally grew as the population grew. We started wit… --- ## [Traffic cops shouldn't carry guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-cops-shouldnt-carry-guns/940091)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2021, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-cops-shouldnt-carry-guns/940091 "2021-05-02T05:18:05Z")
This may sound like a radical proposal, but I don’t think traffic cops should routinely carry guns. They can wear bullet proof vests, and carry tasers to protect themselves. In the rare cases that they do need a gun, the… --- ## [(Semi-)legal marijuana and driving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-legal-marijuana-and-driving/940863)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2021, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-legal-marijuana-and-driving/940863 "2021-04-30T02:23:31Z")
Recreational pot is still illegal in this state so far a state I know, and I would suspect that even medical marijuana use would be subject to laws governing driving while impaired. But now every time I drive on the mai… --- ## [If we can afford free K-12 education, why not a free college education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-can-afford-free-k-12-education-why-not-a-free-college-education/939613)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-can-afford-free-k-12-education-why-not-a-free-college-education/939613 "2021-04-29T18:29:01Z")
Inspired by the one of the side topics of the thread on what conservatives have to fear. To start of with the obvious objection, when I say free, I mean free of tuition to the students. Of course someone is going to pa… --- ## ["There is no climate emergency." Debunk this article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-climate-emergency-debunk-this-article/940856)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-climate-emergency-debunk-this-article/940856 "2021-04-28T23:28:37Z")
A friend of mine posted a link to a Washington Times article titled, There is no climate emergency - we love CO2 and so should you. At first I thought it was a satire article. But the author is serious. I know this art… --- ## [Virginia educrats drop the hammer on advanced math education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-educrats-drop-the-hammer-on-advanced-math-education/940396)
**Author:** [@ZosterSandstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZosterSandstorm)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-educrats-drop-the-hammer-on-advanced-math-education/940396 "2021-04-28T16:16:35Z")
In culmination of other trends from the recent war on academic excellence being waged by the Virginia Democratic Party, a proposal endorsed by party stakeholders including the governor and his DOE superintendent will com… --- ## [Free Will with a Little Bit of Science! (TM)(C)(R)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-with-a-little-bit-of-science-tm-c-r/931877)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 324\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-with-a-little-bit-of-science-tm-c-r/931877 "2021-04-27T01:28:47Z")
As some of you know, I’ve recently been working in a medical lab doing computational medicine/neuroscience work. Specifically, I’m working on: A study on optimal vaccine distribution A study on brain modelling \<---- th… --- ## [My Solution For Humane Death Penalty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-solution-for-humane-death-penalty/927303)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-solution-for-humane-death-penalty/927303 "2021-04-26T20:52:24Z")
BTW, I put in Great Debates, because I assume it will spark a debate. Okay :slight\_smile: ? Anyway I have already gone into this topic before, doubtless on this message board too. And although I am a humanist and a hum… --- ## [Can libertarian free agency be distinct from deterministic, random, and semi-random causation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-libertarian-free-agency-be-distinct-from-deterministic-random-and-semi-random-causation/940472)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2021, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-libertarian-free-agency-be-distinct-from-deterministic-random-and-semi-random-causation/940472 "2021-04-26T06:25:01Z")
Today’s debate prompt is summarized in the title and fully stated at the end of this post. Background Assumptions I ask you to presuppose that the physical world is indeterministic, that there is a mental substance (min… --- ## [Pacific War: McArthur vs Nimitz: Who Was Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-war-mcarthur-vs-nimitz-who-was-right/296959)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2021, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-war-mcarthur-vs-nimitz-who-was-right/296959 "2021-04-26T05:23:34Z")
AS rge war against Japan was winding down, there was a big disafgreement between Gen. McArthur and Admirals King and Nimitz. Basically, after the defeat of the Japanese in New Guinea and the S. Pacific, McArthur wanted t… --- ## [Existential Threats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existential-threats/932232)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2021, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existential-threats/932232 "2021-04-26T03:28:31Z")
Which of the existential threats humans are currently facing is the most likely to cause our extinction: Pandemics, climate change, drinking water contamination, AI takeover, earth-astroid/comet impact, super volcano. --- ## [Meditation is a Questionable Practice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meditation-is-a-questionable-practice/940219)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2021, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meditation-is-a-questionable-practice/940219 "2021-04-24T02:31:31Z")
Current medical advice recommends meditation as a treatment for stress. Personally, I would advise against it unless you have a full understanding of how it works and what problems could (theoretically) be associated wit… --- ## [A New (to me) identity concept: Plural Persons, Systems, Multiplicity, Alters, Headmates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-to-me-identity-concept-plural-persons-systems-multiplicity-alters-headmates/940153)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2021, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-to-me-identity-concept-plural-persons-systems-multiplicity-alters-headmates/940153 "2021-04-23T02:21:52Z")
In an online social group that I occasionally participate in, someone posted a request to use a tool (PluralKit) that would allow that person to post using multiple identities, instead of just a single user name. Curiou… --- ## [What each political cause considers to be acceptable collateral damage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-each-political-cause-considers-to-be-acceptable-collateral-damage/940320)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2021, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-each-political-cause-considers-to-be-acceptable-collateral-damage/940320 "2021-04-21T19:52:06Z")
The pro-gun lobby, by and large, seems these days to consider mass shootings to simply be the unavoidable price that America must pay for unfettered gun rights and the Second Amendment. There isn’t even a concerted effo… --- ## [Littering and class/culture/ethnicity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/littering-and-class-culture-ethnicity/939472)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/littering-and-class-culture-ethnicity/939472 "2021-04-19T13:40:43Z")
On Easter Sunday, our family went to a World Heritage listed site for a swim and a picnic. On arriving, we found the area littered with empty bourbon cans, used diapers left in plastic bags, cardboard boxes and other mis… --- ## [50 Predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-predictions/17008)
**Author:** [@JBENZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBENZ)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-predictions/17008 "2021-04-18T17:26:03Z")
What with the new century almost (only 13 months) upon us, seems like a good time to make our predictions for the next hundred years. I’m ignoring global nuclear war (possible) and planet killing meteors (unlikely) which… --- ## [Intervening when an attacked nation is not covered by a US defense treaty - what criteria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intervening-when-an-attacked-nation-is-not-covered-by-a-us-defense-treaty-what-criteria/939978)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intervening-when-an-attacked-nation-is-not-covered-by-a-us-defense-treaty-what-criteria/939978 "2021-04-17T20:50:32Z")
Thread inspired by the recent discussion of how Russia might invade Ukraine: I think we’d pretty much all be in agreement that if a nation is covered by a US defense treaty, that the United States should intervene if th… --- ## [Cultural grievance is not a governing agenda!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-grievance-is-not-a-governing-agenda/937288)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2021, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-grievance-is-not-a-governing-agenda/937288 "2021-04-17T17:04:33Z")
When I hear conservative politicians complain about Dr. Seuss or Mr. Potato Head being “canceled”, or a conservative actor gets fired for expressing their opinion, the question that immediately come to mind is this: What… --- ## [Earthly rewards in the Bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthly-rewards-in-the-bible/939625)
**Author:** [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2021, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthly-rewards-in-the-bible/939625 "2021-04-16T06:09:31Z")
I recently heard Matt Dillahunty of Atheist Experience say that while the Bible promises rewards for a virtuous life, these rewards are only given in the afterlife. So you have to cash in your chips before you can cash i… --- ## [How do you determine "The Truth"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-determine-the-truth/930518)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-determine-the-truth/930518 "2021-04-15T18:32:26Z")
So a big issue that keeps popping up is how Conservatives and Liberals have their own version of The Truth, largely driven by a combination of both automatically curated and self-selected media. Each side likes to think… --- ## [U.S. murder rates up in 2020. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-murder-rates-up-in-2020-why/939560)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-murder-rates-up-in-2020-why/939560 "2021-04-14T16:30:07Z")
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-19/the-u-s-homicide-rate-spiked-in-2020-why Covid stress alone not a sufficient explanation as other nations with lockdowns and economic insecurity did not have similar nu… --- ## [Gun Manufacturers' Liability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-manufacturers-liability/939719)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-manufacturers-liability/939719 "2021-04-14T15:09:49Z")
Current federal law explicitly protects the manufacturers of firearms from being sued because their products were used to commit crimes including manslaughter and murder. It was recently in the news that removing this pr… --- ## [Is it constitutional to give black and indigenous people vaccine priority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-constitutional-to-give-black-and-indigenous-people-vaccine-priority/939246)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-constitutional-to-give-black-and-indigenous-people-vaccine-priority/939246 "2021-04-13T00:44:28Z")
Governor Phil Scott (R) of Vermont posted this on Twitter: “If you or anyone in your household identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC), including anyone with Abenaki or other First Nations heritage… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=39)