# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=52 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 53 --- ## [Should the term "Fake News" be regulated in it's public use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-term-fake-news-be-regulated-in-its-public-use/853930)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-term-fake-news-be-regulated-in-its-public-use/853930 "2020-05-27T16:45:00Z")
The term “News” is publically regulated, in that you can’t call yourself a news channel at will. You may be disqualified and not be able to describe your self that way. I have noticed though, that channels which are not… --- ## [What Led to the Radical Sixties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-led-to-the-radical-sixties/854239)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-led-to-the-radical-sixties/854239 "2020-05-27T16:34:35Z")
I don’t think I need a cite. One way or another, things changed considerably by the end of the 1960’s. Women’s rights, gay rights, pornography even. People were talking and even thinking in a considerably new way. But … --- ## [Officials' Children Doing Business = Corruption?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/officials-children-doing-business-corruption/854067)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/officials-children-doing-business-corruption/854067 "2020-05-26T20:50:04Z")
Hi… Dipping my toe in GD waters… I’m gonna get accused of JAQ, but I’m serious. This is something I do not know, and would like The Straight Dope. In the impeachment, one major subtext was that Biden was corrupt beca… --- ## [Sexual Objectification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-objectification/854003)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-objectification/854003 "2020-05-25T20:37:18Z")
“C’mere”, my partner allthegood says to me, “I need to objectify you”. She observes that I like it. I observe that as a male person I don’t have to deal with it all the time as a constant backdrop, where it would becom… --- ## [Is there a paradigm shift happening about science/scientists perceived role in society ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-paradigm-shift-happening-about-science-scientists-perceived-role-in-society/854181)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2020, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-paradigm-shift-happening-about-science-scientists-perceived-role-in-society/854181 "2020-05-25T20:20:12Z")
About 20 or 30 years back science and scientists were perceived as the champions of humankind. It was also perceived that science would take us to the new frontiers of human accomplishments and wellbeing. Nowadays it se… --- ## [Is an economy with a high savings rate but also constant growth possible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-economy-with-a-high-savings-rate-but-also-constant-growth-possible/853685)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-economy-with-a-high-savings-rate-but-also-constant-growth-possible/853685 "2020-05-25T02:56:39Z")
I know the US economy is largely consumption based, around 70% and there are fears that people are saving money due to uncertainty because it will slow any kind of recovery we face after the virus. Which makes me wonder… --- ## [Should Homeschooling be banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-homeschooling-be-banned/853721)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 241\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-homeschooling-be-banned/853721 "2020-05-23T21:14:12Z")
THIS Harvard professor says yes. The article says" A Harvard University law professor has sparked controversy after calling for a ban on homeschooling. Elizabeth Bartholet told Harvard Magazine that it gives parents “… --- ## [Ethical thought experiment - reanimating a frozen person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-thought-experiment-reanimating-a-frozen-person/853564)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2020, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-thought-experiment-reanimating-a-frozen-person/853564 "2020-05-23T18:45:01Z")
So at some point in the near future, explorers find someone who has frozen “to death” N years ago but is, due to the circumstances of the freezing, preserved enough that, with recent (imaginary) advances in nanotech surg… --- ## [Can "Scientific Racism" be a legitimate topic of study?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scientific-racism-be-a-legitimate-topic-of-study/854261)
**Author:** [@Delayed\_Reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delayed_Reflex)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scientific-racism-be-a-legitimate-topic-of-study/854261 "2020-05-21T21:30:34Z")
So as to not derail this ATMB thread, I’ve started this thread to further the discussion with RitterSport. I wasn’t really sure what to title this post but it is meant to be a fairly open discussion on the concept of “s… --- ## [Could Covid-19 actually been contained?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-covid-19-actually-been-contained/854133)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-covid-19-actually-been-contained/854133 "2020-05-21T20:46:33Z")
Something I’ve been wondering about. Suppose China, instead of trying to bury the news, took the reports of a novel coronavirus seriously, and immediately started lockdowns and testing and whatever they actually should h… --- ## ["it was God's plan." Oh, give me a break!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-gods-plan-oh-give-me-a-break/853984)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2020, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-gods-plan-oh-give-me-a-break/853984 "2020-05-20T00:33:45Z")
“God’s plan!” I am not a “believer” but I have a particularly hard time with “believers” who believe everything that happens is part of some plan! \[Detroit Lions’ safety Tracy Walker says his cousin Ahmaud Arbery ‘did n… --- ## [They want to take away our guns, for what use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-want-to-take-away-our-guns-for-what-use/853958)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-want-to-take-away-our-guns-for-what-use/853958 "2020-05-19T19:14:18Z")
What is the american charm with guns and mass murders? Why does americans want guns, what er they protecting them against. If it is the government that seems unlikely. So whats going on? --- ## [Should there be a probe into the origins of Covid-19?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-probe-into-the-origins-of-covid-19/854057)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-probe-into-the-origins-of-covid-19/854057 "2020-05-19T13:28:29Z")
Again, simple enough question. There have been several countries that have been calling on a probe into the disease, specifically the origins in China and, mainly, how the CCP handled this in the early stages. The Chin… --- ## [Should Taiwan be allowed back as an observer in the WHA this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-taiwan-be-allowed-back-as-an-observer-in-the-wha-this-year/853801)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2020, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-taiwan-be-allowed-back-as-an-observer-in-the-wha-this-year/853801 "2020-05-19T07:00:12Z")
Fairly simple and straight forward question. Apologies if it’s already been debated. I haven’t been keeping up with this board for a while, and didn’t see one. Anyway, several countries have put forward the contention… --- ## [Shouldn't vaccine science be treated like top-secret intelligence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-vaccine-science-be-treated-like-top-secret-intelligence/853828)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2020, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-vaccine-science-be-treated-like-top-secret-intelligence/853828 "2020-05-19T05:13:31Z")
Hi Shouldn’t vaccine science be treated like top-secret intelligence? With countries competing to outdo each other/hacking each other to bring out the first viable Covid-19 vaccine,. why is vaccine info not released mo… --- ## [Closed dining and the picnic table solution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-dining-and-the-picnic-table-solution/853145)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-dining-and-the-picnic-table-solution/853145 "2020-05-17T12:35:41Z")
There is a local brewery near where I live and they sell appetizers and beer. Since Covid they closed their indoor tasting area and now serve growlers and the like out of a drive thru window kinda deal. Near the window… --- ## [Great US Composers Not Black or Jewish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-us-composers-not-black-or-jewish/16784)
**Author:** [@GatewayDrug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GatewayDrug)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-us-composers-not-black-or-jewish/16784 "2020-05-17T02:10:54Z")
Are there any great 20th century American composers not Black or Jewish? Submitted for your approval: Jews Irving Berlin George Gershwin Aaron Copland Jerome Kern Richard Rogers (+Hart +Hammerstein) Frank Loesser … --- ## [Optimal economic growth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimal-economic-growth/853866)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimal-economic-growth/853866 "2020-05-16T03:01:57Z")
There was a board on which one poster was constantly beating the drum “Cut taxes and watch the economy soar!” Setting aside the documented fallacy of that position, I have been wondering as to whether a soaring (rapidly … --- ## [Does hypocrisy really matter? (inconsistency in one's own behavior)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hypocrisy-really-matter-inconsistency-in-ones-own-behavior/853728)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hypocrisy-really-matter-inconsistency-in-ones-own-behavior/853728 "2020-05-16T02:53:10Z")
It’s often claimed by pro-choicers that many pro-lifers are hypocrites because they publicly oppose abortion yet secretly have abortions themselves (the phenomenon sometimes referred to as “The only good abortion is my a… --- ## [Make student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-student-loans-dischargeable-in-bankruptcy/853554)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-student-loans-dischargeable-in-bankruptcy/853554 "2020-05-15T15:37:09Z")
In this divided political climate, we have the Bernie Sanders wing of the Dems wanting to forgive all student loans and make college free. On the other side, we have the Republicans who are vehemently opposed to any suc… --- ## [Why do Republicans want to end the corona virus restrictions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-republicans-want-to-end-the-corona-virus-restrictions/852128)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 283\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-republicans-want-to-end-the-corona-virus-restrictions/852128 "2020-05-14T20:33:19Z")
The decision whether or not to have a lockdown should be a simple (or maybe not so simple) cost/benefit analysis; what are the factors that are leading Republicans to end lockdowns and stop social distancing? Help me un… --- ## [Nothing is New challenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-is-new-challenge/853542)
**Author:** [@cornflakes2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes2)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-is-new-challenge/853542 "2020-05-14T14:45:07Z")
In terms of philosophical questions and thinking, is there anything you heard in recent years that was actually NEW and never asked before and never thought of before? I don’t think so. My assumption is that with hundr… --- ## [China's new place in the world after the pandemic is over](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-new-place-in-the-world-after-the-pandemic-is-over/850009)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-new-place-in-the-world-after-the-pandemic-is-over/850009 "2020-05-13T13:59:11Z")
One way or another, China’s position in the world won’t be the same after this pandemic as it was before. There will be blame and anger directed at China, for sure - after all, the virus did originate in Wuhan, and had … --- ## [Fun, Ethics and choises, how do they relate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-ethics-and-choises-how-do-they-relate/853671)
**Author:** [@AlexPontik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlexPontik)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2020, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-ethics-and-choises-how-do-they-relate/853671 "2020-05-13T02:31:00Z")
the text below is about fun and their relation with ethics. Different people can say different things are fun to them in real life, so the language in the text is general, with the aim to not exclude anyone’s fun (now w… --- ## [Owning pets and then changing your mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owning-pets-and-then-changing-your-mind/853567)
**Author:** [@cornflakes2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes2)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owning-pets-and-then-changing-your-mind/853567 "2020-05-13T02:17:54Z")
Mainly speaking about pets like dogs and cats. While they may not be humans, they are still often regarded as being part of the family. The sad reality of dogs and cats is that they are bred so often (either uncontroll… --- ## [Is this a just society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-just-society/853578)
**Author:** [@AlexPontik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlexPontik)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2020, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-just-society/853578 "2020-05-12T13:48:44Z")
WHAT NO ONE SHOULDN’T DO Prologue 1)I have to: People have needs. People’s needs have to be met or else! When the fun people have, covers their needs, they don’t need to go further. 2)What people do: People organi… --- ## [Why is cheap oil now supposedly bad for the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cheap-oil-now-supposedly-bad-for-the-economy/851712)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2020, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cheap-oil-now-supposedly-bad-for-the-economy/851712 "2020-05-10T15:55:34Z")
I grew up in West Virgina in the 1960s, and one of the first economic adages we learned was that cheap coal was bad for WV but good for the rest of the country. Pretty much every step of manufacturing and transporting go… --- ## [Stillwater OK caves to tRumpist terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stillwater-ok-caves-to-trumpist-terrorism/853252)
**Author:** [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2020, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stillwater-ok-caves-to-trumpist-terrorism/853252 "2020-05-10T12:18:34Z")
The mayor of Stillwater OK rescinded the town ordinance requiring folks to wear masks of some kind when in public during the Covid crisis. His reason: some a$$hat threatened a store employee with a gun when the employe… --- ## [Retrospective Downgrading of Talent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrospective-downgrading-of-talent/835601)
**Author:** [@Casparlatete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casparlatete)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrospective-downgrading-of-talent/835601 "2020-05-10T02:26:24Z")
I came across an old copy of the TLS today (of Apr. 15 2016) in which there is a review of Netflix’s ‘House of Cards’ which starred Kevin Spacey, and he gets quite an accolade for his portrayal of Frank Underwood, the Ma… --- ## [Vaping saves lives - regulation should keep that in mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaping-saves-lives-regulation-should-keep-that-in-mind/799201)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaping-saves-lives-regulation-should-keep-that-in-mind/799201 "2020-05-01T20:00:57Z")
E-cigarettes are less dangerous than cigarettes but are equally effective at delivering nicotine. Levy et al. estimate that if smokers switched to e-cigarettes millions of life-years would be saved, even taking into ac… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=51) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=53)