# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=7 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 8 --- ## [Will NBC fold and fire Fallon and Meyers and, if so, when?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-nbc-fold-and-fire-fallon-and-meyers-and-if-so-when/1023162)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-nbc-fold-and-fire-fallon-and-meyers-and-if-so-when/1023162 "2025-09-27T17:08:30Z")
It looks like the Trump regime has gotten both Colbert and Kimmel canned (the latter immediately), and Trump has said that Fallon and Meyers are next on the chopping block. Will this happen and, if so, how soon? Does N… --- ## [When is it okay to speak badly about the Dead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-okay-to-speak-badly-about-the-dead/1023327)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-okay-to-speak-badly-about-the-dead/1023327 "2025-09-26T13:59:35Z")
There’s a Latin phrase ““De mortuis nihil nisi bonum”, which roughly translates to “Of the dead, \[say\] nothing but good.” But there’s a problem with this: what if the deceased was a terrible person? Even “bad” people of… --- ## [Is rejuvenation or significant life extension even on the radar yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rejuvenation-or-significant-life-extension-even-on-the-radar-yet/1023167)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2025, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rejuvenation-or-significant-life-extension-even-on-the-radar-yet/1023167 "2025-09-22T12:17:01Z")
Dopers are getting on in years and some of the greats have left us already. Forty years ago, given advances in genetics and molecular biology, at the time I thought there was maybe a 25% chance that I would see the adven… --- ## [What misconceptions do you think there are about societal collapse and its aftermath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-misconceptions-do-you-think-there-are-about-societal-collapse-and-its-aftermath/1022496)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-misconceptions-do-you-think-there-are-about-societal-collapse-and-its-aftermath/1022496 "2025-09-19T04:05:20Z")
What misconceptions do you think there are about societal collapse and its aftermath? My example is the idea from pop culture that there would be a single faction representing what’s left of the US government that may o… --- ## [Why does the media portray mass shooters as mostly white men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-media-portray-mass-shooters-as-mostly-white-men/837043)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2025, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-media-portray-mass-shooters-as-mostly-white-men/837043 "2025-09-17T05:05:53Z")
TIL that a majority of mass shooters are black. I was genuinely shocked. Is this being largely ignored by the media out of political correctness, or because of a lack of concern for black victims? --- ## [Will Jeffrey Epstein's "friends" face justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-jeffrey-epsteins-friends-face-justice/917242)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 367\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-jeffrey-epsteins-friends-face-justice/917242 "2025-09-12T18:56:11Z")
Can especially powerful people be held responsible for particularly odious crimes? For that question you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dramatic litmus test than the Jeffrey Epstein case. You know the story, but to r… --- ## [Why is Russia and Putin so satisfied by so little?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-russia-and-putin-so-satisfied-by-so-little/1022066)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-russia-and-putin-so-satisfied-by-so-little/1022066 "2025-09-10T19:03:50Z")
This could go into IMHO or MPSIMS or anywhere else: Imagine if the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq were still dragging on and nearing its 4-year anniversary. The United States had already suffered 2.5 million casualties (dea… --- ## [Better alternatives to a jury of peers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-alternatives-to-a-jury-of-peers/1022765)
**Author:** [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-alternatives-to-a-jury-of-peers/1022765 "2025-09-10T17:29:23Z")
I though this an interesting comment. Obviously some people disagree with the setup of the current justice system in the United States. I also don’t think it’s perfect, but I wouldn’t be comfortable abolishing the jury… --- ## [Questions for those that think that the U.S.A. will collapse...and the sooner, the better](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-those-that-think-that-the-u-s-a-will-collapse-and-the-sooner-the-better/1022348)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-those-that-think-that-the-u-s-a-will-collapse-and-the-sooner-the-better/1022348 "2025-09-10T13:57:31Z")
I have heard from those, on this board and other places, that not only is the U.S. on a nonavoidable path to collapse, but the sooner it happens the better because what will replace it has to be better. What do you thin… --- ## ["Complacency is complicity", or the limits of radicalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complacency-is-complicity-or-the-limits-of-radicalism/1022749)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complacency-is-complicity-or-the-limits-of-radicalism/1022749 "2025-09-10T12:58:30Z")
At what point do people who didn’t answer the clarion call become enablers, who deserve to put up against the wall when the Revolution comes? Conversely, at what point do people have a legitimate right to refuse to subsc… --- ## [Is the President calling out the National Guard constitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-calling-out-the-national-guard-constitutional/1019369)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-calling-out-the-national-guard-constitutional/1019369 "2025-09-08T20:11:20Z")
I am deliberately keeping this out of P&E because I don’t want the thread to devolve into Trump v. The City of Los Angeles. Instead think of Eisenhower forcing desegregation in 1957 in Arkansas. I know it is legal as p… --- ## [What happens to the Tuvaluans when their country sinks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-tuvaluans-when-their-country-sinks/80330)
**Author:** [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-tuvaluans-when-their-country-sinks/80330 "2025-09-08T16:42:04Z")
Here’s a sample news story about the problems faced by the nation ofTuvalu. Scientists fear that the entire territory of the low-lying archipelagic country could be rendered uninhabitable by rising sea-levels. What are … --- ## [TIL of a constructive use-case for the blockchain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/til-of-a-constructive-use-case-for-the-blockchain/1022621)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/til-of-a-constructive-use-case-for-the-blockchain/1022621 "2025-09-08T14:59:18Z")
Today I learned of an actual helpful use of the blockchain. I’ve been waiting for this for well over a decade and now it has arrived. From wiki, the blockchain, “Is a distributed ledger with growing lists of records tha… --- ## [Is there yet any measurable effect of this year's tariffs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-yet-any-measurable-effect-of-this-years-tariffs/1022535)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-yet-any-measurable-effect-of-this-years-tariffs/1022535 "2025-09-07T08:33:19Z")
It is some 5.5 months since Trump announced his tariffs, and they have changed countless times since then. I’ve consistently heard folk proclaiming the disaster that would result in terms of higher prices, businesses cl… --- ## [At what point does it become unethical to work for the US Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-it-become-unethical-to-work-for-the-us-government/1022553)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-it-become-unethical-to-work-for-the-us-government/1022553 "2025-09-06T12:09:22Z")
I’m a federal contractor for the DoD (DoW?) I have lots of friends and coworkers in the military. We’re all supporting a fascist warfighting force in some capacity. At what point is the only ethical move to walk away? … --- ## [The Menendez Murder Case Revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-menendez-murder-case-revisited/33874)
**Author:** [@egkelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/egkelly)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-menendez-murder-case-revisited/33874 "2025-09-03T14:11:02Z")
I was watching a made-for -TV movie about the brothers Menendez (Lyle and Eric), who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. The movie was quite well done-only, I have a hard time with the characterization of… --- ## [What are some forms of information that undermine the simple 'oppressor vs oppressed' western narrative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-forms-of-information-that-undermine-the-simple-oppressor-vs-oppressed-western-narrative/1021868)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 214\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-forms-of-information-that-undermine-the-simple-oppressor-vs-oppressed-western-narrative/1021868 "2025-09-02T23:17:04Z")
So let me try to explain what I mean. I am talking about how in the west, there is a narrative on the left (I consider myself left leaning) that all of history and culture can be looked at through the lens of campism. Th… --- ## [Head injuries and criminal behavior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-injuries-and-criminal-behavior/1022005)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-injuries-and-criminal-behavior/1022005 "2025-09-02T20:22:39Z")
I put this in debates, because right now although it is too soon, it my either become established fact, or dropped by the wayside, so form your opinions carefully! It’s long, so you can skip to the TL;DR: if you want. B… --- ## [How much money should you be getting monthly in retirement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-should-you-be-getting-monthly-in-retirement/1019004)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2025, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-should-you-be-getting-monthly-in-retirement/1019004 "2025-09-01T11:12:08Z")
I understand that there are more variables than can be accounted for with retirement planning and that any adventure into this is clearly a large estimate. I am going to be working with my students on retirement planning… --- ## [On Mandatory School Busing here in Boston:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-mandatory-school-busing-here-in-boston/518724)
**Author:** [@independentminded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/independentminded)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-mandatory-school-busing-here-in-boston/518724 "2025-08-31T17:13:20Z")
Unlike many, if not most of the Southern areas, Boston’s busing program was confined to the city limits, which also helped contribute to why Boston became so explosive during the mid to late 1970’s when busing was impl… --- ## [Civvies gifted with real (not honorary) military ranks? WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civvies-gifted-with-real-not-honorary-military-ranks-wtf/1020119)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civvies-gifted-with-real-not-honorary-military-ranks-wtf/1020119 "2025-08-27T00:49:50Z")
Why US army swore in tech executives as lieutenant colonels | Snopes.com Apparently four tech execs got sworn in as lieutenant colonels and jumped 16 ranks despite zero military training, just so they could serve part-t… --- ## ["Unconditional Surrender"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconditional-surrender/1022118)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2025, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconditional-surrender/1022118 "2025-08-22T02:39:29Z")
A spinoff from the justified-A-Bomb discussion: Think it was January 1943 that FDR said the Allies expected “Unconditional Surrender” from the Axis. Later, he said it wasn’t a considered statement – that Grant’s famous… --- ## [Voicing limited and qualified agreement with a bigoted stereotype](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voicing-limited-and-qualified-agreement-with-a-bigoted-stereotype/1021561)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 375\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2025, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voicing-limited-and-qualified-agreement-with-a-bigoted-stereotype/1021561 "2025-08-22T00:44:50Z")
How does one point out the one tiny nugget of truth in an otherwise noxious stereotype without being immediately shut down as a wholehearted supporter and propagandist of such a stereotype? Apparently some topics are con… --- ## [So, getting back to the free will vs determinism discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-getting-back-to-the-free-will-vs-determinism-discussion/1022184)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-getting-back-to-the-free-will-vs-determinism-discussion/1022184 "2025-08-21T16:19:03Z")
I claim to be volitional, to have free will. If I am in charge of what happens, where it’s all up to my approval and my choice, then I am alone and there is no other with whom to interact, to affect or be affected by. … --- ## [What is the hierarchy of people Trump is going to target](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-hierarchy-of-people-trump-is-going-to-target/1022254)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-hierarchy-of-people-trump-is-going-to-target/1022254 "2025-08-20T21:33:43Z")
My impression is the goal with Trump is to weaponize the government by incrementally going after more and more mainstream and powerful groups, hoping that we adjust to the treatment of previous groups. Its the frog in bo… --- ## [What is the most important record of our culture that no longer exists physically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-important-record-of-our-culture-that-no-longer-exists-physically/1021383)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-important-record-of-our-culture-that-no-longer-exists-physically/1021383 "2025-08-15T22:22:49Z")
So inspired by this thread, i got to thinking what have we “lost” as a culture. As in, right now in July 2025, what is the most important bit of our culture (however you define ‘our culture’ and ‘important’) that only ex… --- ## [Can a thought, desire or fantasy be evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thought-desire-or-fantasy-be-evil/1021878)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thought-desire-or-fantasy-be-evil/1021878 "2025-08-14T16:17:30Z")
Someone on another site was explaining that since a pedophile/zoophile can’t choose what they’re attracted to, their desire isn’t morally wrong. It’s the acting on their desires and actually sexually assaulting a child o… --- ## [The Open Letter to "Pause All AI Development"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-open-letter-to-pause-all-ai-development/981862)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 380\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2025, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-open-letter-to-pause-all-ai-development/981862 "2025-08-12T09:58:54Z")
A bunch of IT industry fat-cats, techno-luminaries, and BTW Elon Musk, have released an open letter calling for an immediate moratorium on further AI development: I’m not sure yet what to think. Are they spooked? Have… --- ## [Would you give up free will for world peace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-give-up-free-will-for-world-peace/990800)
**Author:** [@a\_dudes\_thought\_s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_dudes_thought_s)\ **Replies:** 454\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-give-up-free-will-for-world-peace/990800 "2025-08-09T22:54:03Z")
I have been watching a lot of videos of people asking pastors, preachers and such why there is evil in the world. The answer they usually give is God wants us to have free will. My question is this. Say God revealed hims… --- ## [Left Of Liberal Dopers: How could America have done civil rights right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-of-liberal-dopers-how-could-america-have-done-civil-rights-right/1021662)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-of-liberal-dopers-how-could-america-have-done-civil-rights-right/1021662 "2025-08-03T17:26:36Z")
In a Pit thread, @MrDibble talked about how racism cannot be overcome through the “Magic of Liberalism”, and said this about America’s civil rights era: Now, I agree with MrDibble that, clearly, America’s civil rights … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=8)