# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=39 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 40 --- ## [The Great Enrichment and what comes next](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-enrichment-and-what-comes-next/939510)
**Author:** [@Earl\_McCabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_McCabe)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2021, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-enrichment-and-what-comes-next/939510 "2021-04-12T16:08:19Z")
The Great Enrichment is a term for the unprecedented increase in wealth that has occurred over the last 200 years or so. https://www.google.com/amp/s/fee.org/articles/the-great-enrichment-was-built-on-ideas-not-capital/… --- ## [The societal/historical impact of a manned Mars landing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-societal-historical-impact-of-a-manned-mars-landing/937942)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2021, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-societal-historical-impact-of-a-manned-mars-landing/937942 "2021-04-12T15:20:19Z")
Let’s set aside for now the technical difficulties of getting astronauts to Mars and look only at the societal/historical impact. Would landing astronauts on Mars, and getting them back to Earth, be considered THE crown… --- ## [What crimes can you consent to vs not consent to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-crimes-can-you-consent-to-vs-not-consent-to/939641)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2021, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-crimes-can-you-consent-to-vs-not-consent-to/939641 "2021-04-12T00:11:24Z")
A lot of things that are crimes, generally aren’t crimes if all parties consent and enjoy the interaction. Consensual rape is sex. Consensual theft is giving someone a gift. Consensual burglary is inviting someone to … --- ## [Is there a deep state or cabal \[spelling corrected\] that is controlling the government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-deep-state-or-cabal-spelling-corrected-that-is-controlling-the-government/938336)
**Author:** [@Jillwood77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jillwood77)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-deep-state-or-cabal-spelling-corrected-that-is-controlling-the-government/938336 "2021-04-07T16:11:17Z")
Is there a deep state or cobel that is controlling the government? Yes controlling both parties? The reason I ask is many threads here talk about political lobbying the act of giving money to politicians. And the politic… --- ## [Churchill was a genocidaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churchill-was-a-genocidaire/795607)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2021, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churchill-was-a-genocidaire/795607 "2021-04-06T18:58:51Z")
Winston Churchill is still revered as a hero of the Second a World War and one of the saviors of democracy. That’s debatable. He gave a few good speeches and it’s questionable whether those speeches were really necessary… --- ## [What's wrong with income inequality if everyone is well off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-income-inequality-if-everyone-is-well-off/938044)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-income-inequality-if-everyone-is-well-off/938044 "2021-04-06T16:23:14Z")
Suppose the following hypothetical society: Everyone has universal basic income whether they work or not - quite generously so. Nobody is homeless, nobody is poor, everyone gets free high-quality healthcare if needed, e… --- ## [How Would You Defend the Concept of a Benevolent and Omnipotent God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-defend-the-concept-of-a-benevolent-and-omnipotent-god/937878)
**Author:** [@velcro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velcro)\ **Replies:** 262\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2021, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-defend-the-concept-of-a-benevolent-and-omnipotent-god/937878 "2021-04-06T04:02:21Z")
I apologize if this has been covered - please point me to the proper thread if it has. I’m curious how one might defend the concept of a benevolent and omnipotent God, given that bad things happen to innocent people, an… --- ## [Buycotting is better than boycotting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buycotting-is-better-than-boycotting/939243)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buycotting-is-better-than-boycotting/939243 "2021-04-05T19:39:32Z")
The problem with boycotting - withholding from someone you don’t support - is that too few people usually participate (often so few that there is no noticeable difference to a company’s bottom line - “Boycott? What boyco… --- ## [What is Critical Race Theory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-critical-race-theory/921629)
**Author:** [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Replies:** 439\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2021, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-critical-race-theory/921629 "2021-04-02T21:39:25Z")
When i discuss critical race theory, I feel like some people on this board are talking past one another. I think critical race theory started off as a fringe legal concept that turned it’s back on logic and traditional … --- ## [Stimulus Money and Kids- Who Gets the Money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-money-and-kids-who-gets-the-money/939051)
**Author:** [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-money-and-kids-who-gets-the-money/939051 "2021-04-01T23:40:12Z")
I have two adult children. One has developmental delays and still lives at home. That one has just started working this year. He doesn’t make much but he is making slow and steady progress toward an independent adulthood… --- ## [Non-gendered pronouns and their requested usage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-gendered-pronouns-and-their-requested-usage/921795)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2021, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-gendered-pronouns-and-their-requested-usage/921795 "2021-03-31T23:43:21Z")
I received a polite request from someone that I should use non-gendered pronouns throughout my public content. It was a very civil conversation and without going into too much detail, the person requesting that I do thi… --- ## [G. Gordon Liddy-Hero or Criminal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-gordon-liddy-hero-or-criminal/419716)
**Author:** [@Fireclown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fireclown)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2021, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-gordon-liddy-hero-or-criminal/419716 "2021-03-31T05:38:34Z")
I just finished reading his autobiography, “Will”. Obviously he did a ton of questionable and illegal activities, but I must admit I admire the man for standing up for what he believes in, and not taking shit off anyone. … --- ## [Is there any moral defense for eating meat in modern first-world countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-moral-defense-for-eating-meat-in-modern-first-world-countries/930637)
**Author:** [@Delayed\_Reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delayed_Reflex)\ **Replies:** 311\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2021, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-moral-defense-for-eating-meat-in-modern-first-world-countries/930637 "2021-03-31T02:46:39Z")
I was listening to an episode of Hidden Brain on Thomas Jefferson’s stance on slavery, and how he was “hypocritical in the way that many people are hypocritical, in that all of us are hypocritical when we have an intelle… --- ## [Is now a good time to talk about gun safety laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-now-a-good-time-to-talk-about-gun-safety-laws/938605)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-now-a-good-time-to-talk-about-gun-safety-laws/938605 "2021-03-30T21:01:29Z")
This is an incredibly complex issue that I can’t possibly present comprehensively in one OP. So instead of attempting a coherent “essay” on the subject, I’ll employ an alternative format: NOTES ON "GUN CONTROL" Gun co… --- ## [The point at which cyberwarfare justifies an actual war response](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-point-at-which-cyberwarfare-justifies-an-actual-war-response/937293)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-point-at-which-cyberwarfare-justifies-an-actual-war-response/937293 "2021-03-30T19:03:44Z")
AIUI, there is this general understanding that a cyberattack is a cyberattack and a kinetic attack (i.e., bombing) is a kinetic attack, and you don’t respond to a cyberattack with kinetic means. This is why, for instance… --- ## [Is it wrong to not believe in free will but still believe that evil should be punished?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-not-believe-in-free-will-but-still-believe-that-evil-should-be-punished/934214)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-not-believe-in-free-will-but-still-believe-that-evil-should-be-punished/934214 "2021-03-29T15:14:26Z")
I’ve always believed even after I came to the conclusion that libertarian free will doesn’t exist that if someone does something wrong they should be punished for it in some way even if it has no rehabilitative or deterr… --- ## [How should the West respond to "hostage diplomacy"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-the-west-respond-to-hostage-diplomacy/938441)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-the-west-respond-to-hostage-diplomacy/938441 "2021-03-25T15:48:56Z")
Countries like China, Russia, and Iran have arrested Westerners as bargaining chips to win the release of their own citizens. There’s a great long-form article on one such case here, involving a Canadian diplomat who’s … --- ## [What does libertarianism mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-libertarianism-mean/926293)
**Author:** [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-libertarianism-mean/926293 "2021-03-24T18:21:39Z")
Depends on whether you mean freedom from or freedom to. If you want to be free from all laws, from anyone telling you what to do, then the destruction of our society and civilization is the best way to achieve that. If … --- ## [Knock-on effects of Biden's $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Relief?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-on-effects-of-bidens-1-9-trillion-pandemic-relief/937696)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-on-effects-of-bidens-1-9-trillion-pandemic-relief/937696 "2021-03-24T17:36:16Z")
The NY Times calls it “one of the largest injections of federal aid since the Great Depression.” What do you think the indirect effects of the pandemic relief bill might be – economically, politically, or otherwise? Or… --- ## [Biological fathers in Utah will now bear half the cost of pregnancy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biological-fathers-in-utah-will-now-bear-half-the-cost-of-pregnancy/938469)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2021, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biological-fathers-in-utah-will-now-bear-half-the-cost-of-pregnancy/938469 "2021-03-24T03:44:52Z")
As stated in the title of this article: Biological fathers in Utah will now bear half the cost of pregnancy (upworthy.com) My question is does this just about eliminate the use of sperm donors in Utah, but I’m sure y’a… --- ## [There's no such thing as cancel culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-no-such-thing-as-cancel-culture/938259)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2021, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-no-such-thing-as-cancel-culture/938259 "2021-03-23T22:06:33Z")
It’s a boogeyman created by the same conservatives who cheered when Colin Kaepernick got blacklisted. Just like boasts of non-political correctness it’s an attempt to deny responsibility and escape consequences for actin… --- ## [And 5 years after Colin Kaepernick’s original kneel down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-5-years-after-colin-kaepernick-s-original-kneel-down/937863)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-5-years-after-colin-kaepernick-s-original-kneel-down/937863 "2021-03-23T15:21:16Z")
… it all comes full circle: Crystal Palace's Zaha becomes first Premier League player not to kneel before a game That’s right. Standing up is the new kneel down. --- ## [How much annual income does one need to achieve "Poverty Escape Velocity" in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-annual-income-does-one-need-to-achieve-poverty-escape-velocity-in-the-usa/932060)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2021, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-annual-income-does-one-need-to-achieve-poverty-escape-velocity-in-the-usa/932060 "2021-03-19T10:43:35Z")
For the purposes of this thread, I see 3 broad categories of “you”: 25 year old single person 25 year old childless couple 25 year old couple with 2 babies (twins! yay!) I picked 25 years old because it seeme… --- ## [Conservatism and the Fox News Cinematic Universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatism-and-the-fox-news-cinematic-universe/938181)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2021, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatism-and-the-fox-news-cinematic-universe/938181 "2021-03-18T18:44:43Z")
Article here: To sum up, it’s more helpful to see 2021 conservatism as a popular culture fandom as opposed to a political movement, akin to Marvel or Star Trek fans. They have their own in-jokes, quotable quotes, rec… --- ## [Stock Markets, Tariffs, Coronavirus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-markets-tariffs-coronavirus/848451)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 395\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2021, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-markets-tariffs-coronavirus/848451 "2021-03-18T10:10:43Z")
Question: if Trump hadn’t started a trade war with China, would the stock market have responded any differently to the coronavirus outbreak? Caveats: I’m virulently anti-Trump, so I’d love to lay some of this at his fee… --- ## [Should the Minimum Wage Be Increased to $15?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-minimum-wage-be-increased-to-15/933945)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 229\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2021, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-minimum-wage-be-increased-to-15/933945 "2021-03-18T00:28:06Z")
I mean in the US, of course. I think it should be. Some people argue that they would have to increase prices, that inflation would just increase, and so forth. But as I said in another thread, rich people have disgusting… --- ## [Moses Farrow defends Woody Allen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moses-farrow-defends-woody-allen/927877)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moses-farrow-defends-woody-allen/927877 "2021-03-16T19:48:27Z")
Here we go again. Moses Farrow, the first adopted son of Mia Farrow gave his first newspaper interview to The Guardian, so I figured I would start the inevitable thread. In summary. He’s now a therapist who specialize… --- ## [The conduct of the constabulary: a market-based approach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-conduct-of-the-constabulary-a-market-based-approach/937845)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2021, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-conduct-of-the-constabulary-a-market-based-approach/937845 "2021-03-16T14:17:47Z")
The recent story is that the City of Minneapolis settled with the family of George Floyd for a few dollars more. This, of course, means that the taxpayers of Minneapolis have had the burden of Officer Chauvin’s misconduc… --- ## [If Democracts hold majority at next Pres election, what prevents them from rejecting Electors vote and winning rejection based on majority in both houses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-democracts-hold-majority-at-next-pres-election-what-prevents-them-from-rejecting-electors-vote-and-winning-rejection-based-on-majority-in-both-houses/929970)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-democracts-hold-majority-at-next-pres-election-what-prevents-them-from-rejecting-electors-vote-and-winning-rejection-based-on-majority-in-both-houses/929970 "2021-03-15T14:43:05Z")
How does Democracy deal with this i guess 'loophole"? If one Party happens to hold majority in both Houses of Congress and the President of thier party does not win, have we now established a Precident that the Majority … --- ## [Are there situations where saying 'a cop let me do it' is a legal defense against prosecution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-situations-where-saying-a-cop-let-me-do-it-is-a-legal-defense-against-prosecution/933327)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-situations-where-saying-a-cop-let-me-do-it-is-a-legal-defense-against-prosecution/933327 "2021-03-13T15:35:49Z")
So now some capitol insurrectionists are saying the police invited them into the capitol. Theres some truth to that I’m sure based on some videos I’ve seen online of police taking down barricades and waving them in. Howe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=38) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=40)