# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=867 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 868 --- ## [Is there any such thing as a genius?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-such-thing-as-a-genius/312823)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-such-thing-as-a-genius/312823 "2005-07-20T15:13:42Z")
The more I read about the history of science, the more convinced that I am that there is really no such thing as a true genius. For every Einstein, there were hundreds and thousands of other scientists, mostly uncredite… --- ## [China, Unocal and the question of motivation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-unocal-and-the-question-of-motivation/312512)
**Author:** [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-unocal-and-the-question-of-motivation/312512 "2005-07-20T13:57:13Z")
Back in July, Chinese oil company Cnooc made an 18.5 billion dollar bid for US oil giant Unocal. NPR reported this morning that’s approximately 2 billion more than rival Chevron/Texaco is offering. Yesterday, volleys … --- ## [Two Questions about SCOTUS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-scotus/313266)
**Author:** [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-scotus/313266 "2005-07-20T13:31:00Z")
I figured this belongs more in GD than GQ… Chief Justice Rehnquist is putting up a certain brave front in light of his obviously failing health. He seems to want look like he’s still large and in charge. I this a pow… --- ## [Will the neural-electronic interface change the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-neural-electronic-interface-change-the-world/312421)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-neural-electronic-interface-change-the-world/312421 "2005-07-20T12:39:15Z")
In 2001, Cathal O’Philbin, a quadriplegic in London, using an experimental “Adaptive Brain Interface,” was able to learn to use his mind to move a cursor and cause letters to appear on a computer screen: “Arsenal Footbal… --- ## [Political Compass #59: Adult bedroom activity is no business of the state.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-compass-59-adult-bedroom-activity-is-no-business-of-the-state/312956)
**Author:** [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-compass-59-adult-bedroom-activity-is-no-business-of-the-state/312956 "2005-07-20T04:32:48Z")
Many political debates here have included references to The Political Compass, which uses a set of 61 questions to assess one’s political orientation in terms of economic left/right and social libertarianism/authoritaria… --- ## [Will space be militarized (or "weaponized")?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-space-be-militarized-or-weaponized/313097)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-space-be-militarized-or-weaponized/313097 "2005-07-20T03:48:35Z")
This GD thread on the possibility of “armored spacehips” – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=325439 – got me to thinking. What are the prospects that near-Earth space will become militarized\*, or even… --- ## [Are Fibromyalgia and CFS neurological?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fibromyalgia-and-cfs-neurological/313219)
**Author:** [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fibromyalgia-and-cfs-neurological/313219 "2005-07-20T03:00:47Z")
Recently I have discovered a new skill, I can put my body in a state of physical distress or discomfort by virtue of concentration. If I think about being in pain hard enough, I can develop general, actual, physical bod… --- ## [What's an kinder term to describe C.S. Lewis than 'Fundamentalist'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-kinder-term-to-describe-c-s-lewis-than-fundamentalist/313082)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-kinder-term-to-describe-c-s-lewis-than-fundamentalist/313082 "2005-07-20T02:35:25Z")
“Fundamentalist” has a particular connotation, especially in the US of (1). The Bible is literally true, including a supernatural Creation and Flood. (2). Christianity is the only true religion, and all other religions a… --- ## [Kids should talk to strangers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-should-talk-to-strangers/312828)
**Author:** [@Turing\_Complete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turing_Complete)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-should-talk-to-strangers/312828 "2005-07-19T18:07:10Z")
Bruce Schneier’s Cryptogram periodical came out recently, the latest issue of which brought some interesting advice: that we shouldn’t teach kids to avoid strangers. Personally, I’ve had the concept of “don’t talk to s… --- ## [Nietzsche's "Antichrist"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nietzsches-antichrist/312309)
**Author:** [@Joe\_Keysor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Keysor)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nietzsches-antichrist/312309 "2005-07-19T17:53:13Z")
I have seen a number of comments about Nietzsche’s book “The Antichrist” but I have never seen any admirer of Nietzsche describing the real message of the book accurately. Briefly, Nietzsche says that there is no God an… --- ## [Gitmo CO relieved of command](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gitmo-co-relieved-of-command/311905)
**Author:** [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gitmo-co-relieved-of-command/311905 "2005-07-19T17:38:35Z")
According to this story in The Washington Postthe commanding officer at Gitmo has been relieved for reasons unrelated to the operation of the detainee camp. What do you suppose this means? Is it significant that the in… --- ## [What do the Russian people believe in nowadays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-russian-people-believe-in-nowadays/312832)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-russian-people-believe-in-nowadays/312832 "2005-07-19T16:23:10Z")
It occurs to me it must be kind of weird and confusing to be a Russian at this point in history. Like most national cultures, they’ve always had some kind of shared world-view in which things in general had a definite o… --- ## [Peak Oil: The Real Scoop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-oil-the-real-scoop/311124)
**Author:** [@Ice\_Bear\_Brian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Bear_Brian)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-oil-the-real-scoop/311124 "2005-07-19T05:56:12Z")
Having just been introduced to this quite scary prediction, I wonder what everyone else knows about it and how you feel we’ll overcome this, and if it will be as bad as this website suggests (which has been referenced in… --- ## [Is the BMI useful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bmi-useful/312418)
**Author:** [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bmi-useful/312418 "2005-07-18T22:44:59Z")
Perhaps most Americans at some point have seen the Body Mass Index, which tells you your ideal weight. Unless your name is Lindsay, chances are you are “overweight” to “obese” by their standards and better stop cutting b… --- ## [What is the nature of dreams about deceased people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-nature-of-dreams-about-deceased-people/312765)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-nature-of-dreams-about-deceased-people/312765 "2005-07-18T18:22:59Z")
Inspired by this thread, I’m wondering about the nature of dreams about deceased people. As I mentioned in the thread linked, I think that dreaming about deceased loved ones is very healthy, and an essential part of the … --- ## [What properties does something have to have in order for it to exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-properties-does-something-have-to-have-in-order-for-it-to-exist/312958)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-properties-does-something-have-to-have-in-order-for-it-to-exist/312958 "2005-07-18T18:13:57Z")
The other day I was chatting with a friend of mine. The subject went to religion when I told Him: “I’m an Athiest.” “You mean you don’t think God exist?” To which I responded: “Well, define exist. Do you mean as in t… --- ## [PETA rehash thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-rehash-thread/310656)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-rehash-thread/310656 "2005-07-18T16:00:56Z")
Ok, so I just finished reading a bunch of the PETA threads from the last couple of years. I’m not convinced that PETA is a legitimate activist group, and I’m very skeptical of animal rights, but I’m a little surprised a… --- ## [A medley of questions for Christians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-medley-of-questions-for-christians/312076)
**Author:** [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2005, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-medley-of-questions-for-christians/312076 "2005-07-18T11:22:01Z")
I would describe myself as agnostic. While I was raised a Roman Catholic, I have a great many questions about the veracity of Christian theology which make me so uncomfortable with the idea of calling myself a Christian… --- ## [Should we build armored spacecraft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-build-armored-spacecraft/312415)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2005, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-build-armored-spacecraft/312415 "2005-07-18T10:23:46Z")
This is an issue, sort of, that was raised as we pondered things in this thread. The design of the US space shuttles is more than 25 years old at this point. It seems reasonable to conclude that eventually, perhaps soo… --- ## [Should CTA Sell Naming Rights? \[img\]http://fool.exler.ru/sm/shrk.gif\[/img\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cta-sell-naming-rights-img-http-fool-exler-ru-sm-shrk-gif-img/312745)
**Author:** [@PETERFI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PETERFI)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2005, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cta-sell-naming-rights-img-http-fool-exler-ru-sm-shrk-gif-img/312745 "2005-07-18T05:42:26Z")
For those of you who care and were not paying attention to the local press this week, the perpetually cash strapped Chicago Transit Authority or CTA has proposed selling the naming rights to its Rapid Transit Lines and S… --- ## [How does belief in existence equal salvation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-belief-in-existence-equal-salvation/311847)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-belief-in-existence-equal-salvation/311847 "2005-07-17T14:47:54Z")
In reading the various religious debates in GD, I note that much of the debate focusses on the existence of God. There seems to be a link between whether or not I believe in this existence and what happens to “me” after… --- ## [Reflections on the bombs: the sentimentalising of modern society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reflections-on-the-bombs-the-sentimentalising-of-modern-society/311547)
**Author:** [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2005, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reflections-on-the-bombs-the-sentimentalising-of-modern-society/311547 "2005-07-17T02:37:55Z")
Among the welter of words written here about the killings in London, my attention was drwan to these two posts in this thread. In summary, World Eater linked the bombs to the invasion of Iraq, and Trunk picked up on thi… --- ## [Santorum - What is WITH this hump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-what-is-with-this-hump/312798)
**Author:** [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-what-is-with-this-hump/312798 "2005-07-16T22:57:12Z")
Santorum tries to link liberalism to the Church sex abuse scandal WASHINGTON - In a rare personal attack on the Senate floor, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy accused Sen. Rick Santorum on Wednesday of being self-righteous and i… --- ## [Why do people of faith not pray for their enemies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-of-faith-not-pray-for-their-enemies/312153)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2005, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-of-faith-not-pray-for-their-enemies/312153 "2005-07-16T10:01:23Z")
I have a question,I am not sure if this should be in the great debates or here. If people that believe in prayer pray for the dead, and the victums of crimes.Why don’t they pray that the Taliban,Osama Ben Laden,and othe… --- ## [Should Anarchists be allowed to mask themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-anarchists-be-allowed-to-mask-themselves/312287)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-anarchists-be-allowed-to-mask-themselves/312287 "2005-07-16T01:33:11Z")
During the G8 summit in Scotland there were news reports showing anarchists “protesting”. Shrouded in black outfits with black hoods and masks, they attacked police and committed vandalism. The same thing just happened … --- ## [Political Compass #58: Pornography should be legal.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-compass-58-pornography-should-be-legal/312148)
**Author:** [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-compass-58-pornography-should-be-legal/312148 "2005-07-16T00:37:31Z")
Many political debates here have included references to The Political Compass, which uses a set of 61 questions to assess one’s political orientation in terms of economic left/right and social libertarianism/authoritaria… --- ## [Hey, waittaminnit -- how did Karl Rove know Valerie Plame was CIA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-waittaminnit-how-did-karl-rove-know-valerie-plame-was-cia/312292)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-waittaminnit-how-did-karl-rove-know-valerie-plame-was-cia/312292 "2005-07-15T22:24:20Z")
So, it’s finally confirmed that Karl Rove leaked Valerie Plame’s status as a CIA agent to the press. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8445696/site/newsweek/ That clears that up. But how did Rove know Plame was CIA? He’s o… --- ## [Some federal election law ideas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-federal-election-law-ideas/311871)
**Author:** [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-federal-election-law-ideas/311871 "2005-07-15T20:57:41Z")
Only 60 days of campaigning for each election Campaign contributions limited to $1,000 per person, $25,000 per corporation No PACs Candidates cannot spend personal money Campaign spending limited to $10 million per camp… --- ## [Judge Easterbrook for the Supreme Court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-easterbrook-for-the-supreme-court/310759)
**Author:** [@Erwin\_Chemerinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erwin_Chemerinsky)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-easterbrook-for-the-supreme-court/310759 "2005-07-15T19:42:17Z")
Do you think there is any possibility of the Judge Easterbrook of the 7th Circuit making it to the Court to replace Justice O’Connor? He is a conservative (upheld late-term abortion) and is a textualist. And he shares so… --- ## [SCOTUS Nominee: Must Bush Choose Between Business or the Religious Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-nominee-must-bush-choose-between-business-or-the-religious-right/312653)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-nominee-must-bush-choose-between-business-or-the-religious-right/312653 "2005-07-15T19:36:26Z")
Washington Post columnist Jeffrey Birnbaum makes an interesting observation that may bear on who Bush nominates to the Supreme Court. Bush has indicated that he favors justices in the mold of Scalia and Thomas, which wil… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=866) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=868)