# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=95 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 96 --- ## [Which principles of alchemy are still worth preserving?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-principles-of-alchemy-are-still-worth-preserving/813340)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-principles-of-alchemy-are-still-worth-preserving/813340 "2018-05-05T17:32:04Z")
Hi From a modern scientific perspective, which principles of alchemy are still be worth preserving? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [What is the Jewish Messiah Supposed to Do Exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-jewish-messiah-supposed-to-do-exactly/808771)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-jewish-messiah-supposed-to-do-exactly/808771 "2018-05-03T11:51:03Z")
I’m reading the excellent book The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs, and in it he mentions an odd alliance between Ultra-Fundamentalist Christians and Ultra-Orthodox Jews to breed a completely red heifer to use … --- ## [Goyim as slaves.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goyim-as-slaves/813308)
**Author:** [@mrka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrka)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goyim-as-slaves/813308 "2018-05-02T13:04:31Z")
I believe that I have found the proof that most Jews who died during the Holocaust were entirely innocent. Anti-Semitism is fueled by rage and hate which in turn has been created by the memory of Jewish wickedness. I me… --- ## [Finland cancels their UBI test program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finland-cancels-their-ubi-test-program/812737)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finland-cancels-their-ubi-test-program/812737 "2018-05-02T10:35:10Z")
Business Insider: Finland is killing its experiment with basic income Sounds like they ran out of money, which seems to be the fundamental issue with the UBI concept. I expect that Stockton (which already ran out of mo… --- ## [Lying to the Supreme Court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-to-the-supreme-court/813351)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-to-the-supreme-court/813351 "2018-05-02T05:53:50Z")
This article from Lawfare is making the point that the Executive branch certainly seems to be lying to the Supreme Court, in telling it that the countries which were chosen for the travel ban were specifically lax in the… --- ## [Obama vs. Trump - Any overlapping opinions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-vs-trump-any-overlapping-opinions/813056)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-vs-trump-any-overlapping-opinions/813056 "2018-05-01T22:16:20Z")
From what I know about American politics, it is very polarized. You either like Obama and hate Trump or the other way around. Personally, I liked Obama as a person. He seems to be a nice guy, very caring and smart. M… --- ## [Is it really "tolerance" if you like the thing you "tolerate?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-tolerance-if-you-like-the-thing-you-tolerate/813178)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-tolerance-if-you-like-the-thing-you-tolerate/813178 "2018-05-01T21:40:06Z")
IMHO, the definition of “tolerance” has been significantly distorted over the years. “Tolerance” should mean putting up with something that one dislikes. If someone likes LGBT people or people of a different religion, t… --- ## [Kushner's Play to Bring Peace to the Middle East](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kushners-play-to-bring-peace-to-the-middle-east/803602)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kushners-play-to-bring-peace-to-the-middle-east/803602 "2018-05-01T15:08:52Z")
There’s a whole bunch of insidious goings-ons in the Middle East, probably due to Salman and Kushner striking a deal where the US would back Sunni Islam against Shia, in exchange for help securing Israel. Any predi… --- ## [Algerian woman denied French citizenship over handshake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algerian-woman-denied-french-citizenship-over-handshake/813326)
**Author:** [@Warm\_blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Warm_blood)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algerian-woman-denied-french-citizenship-over-handshake/813326 "2018-04-30T21:15:36Z")
What do you all think about this? On on hand, I think it’s stupid that this woman was willing to jeopardize her chance at citizenship over making a statement about her religion and clearly demonstrates that she is not … --- ## [Is there a word for an atheist that doesn't believe but hopes God exists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-an-atheist-that-doesnt-believe-but-hopes-god-exists/812789)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 198\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-an-atheist-that-doesnt-believe-but-hopes-god-exists/812789 "2018-04-30T14:23:13Z")
Are they a proper atheist? “faith is the substance of things hoped for?” \*bug = but --- ## [Vehicle attacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-attacks/812999)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-attacks/812999 "2018-04-30T00:29:59Z")
Was just reading about this latest attack in Canada that killed 9 and injured 16 as was thinking about the ramifications of this new vector for nuts and terrorists to kill large numbers of people. I can’t think of any w… --- ## [A vast majority of people are bigots.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vast-majority-of-people-are-bigots/812728)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vast-majority-of-people-are-bigots/812728 "2018-04-30T00:16:59Z")
So, I actually took the time to look up the dictionary definition of the word bigot: “A person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions.” Based on context, I always assumed it was somebody that held pr… --- ## [So I don't see this anywhere... What do you think of this Alfie Evans case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-dont-see-this-anywhere-what-do-you-think-of-this-alfie-evans-case/813171)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-dont-see-this-anywhere-what-do-you-think-of-this-alfie-evans-case/813171 "2018-04-28T22:33:05Z")
Long story short, the kid is dying of an incurable disease. The parents have secured Italian citizenship and transportation and don’t want him to die. Hospital took him off life support, and he’s survived that and t… --- ## [Is There Any Moral Rule That Is Universal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-moral-rule-that-is-universal/812731)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2018, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-moral-rule-that-is-universal/812731 "2018-04-28T03:52:43Z")
Moral relativists certainly don’t think so. But is there any moral rule that is universal, I.e., found in every culture? I myself like to think there are certain broad principles like mercy and kindness that are. Althou… --- ## [one small goose-step closer to thirteen o'clock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-small-goose-step-closer-to-thirteen-oclock/811080)
**Author:** [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-small-goose-step-closer-to-thirteen-oclock/811080 "2018-04-27T18:24:03Z")
Surprised we haven’t had a thread on this. A scottish comedian, posts a open joke about teaching his dog to give a nazi salute on the command “gass the jews”. He explains that he does it because the dog is so cute and c… --- ## [Alternate History: UK keeps Hong Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-uk-keeps-hong-kong/812917)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-uk-keeps-hong-kong/812917 "2018-04-27T11:34:37Z")
Not sure if this is the right forum but seemed best. Let’s say that the USA and EU decided that having a west-friendly Hong Kong was worth antagonising China over and convinced the UK to keep hold of it while committing… --- ## [Newest Pew Research Results (4-26-2018)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newest-pew-research-results-4-26-2018/813186)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2018, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newest-pew-research-results-4-26-2018/813186 "2018-04-26T22:45:18Z")
I’m going over the latest polling from Pew (The Public, the Political System and American Democracy), and it’s interesting enough that we could have a whole thread about it. Results here (PDF warning… and it’s long!) T… --- ## [Climate Leadership Council's Carbon Dividends Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-leadership-councils-carbon-dividends-plan/812729)
**Author:** [@Bassman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bassman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2018, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-leadership-councils-carbon-dividends-plan/812729 "2018-04-26T09:36:02Z")
I want to talk about the carbon-tax plan from the Climate Leadership Council. They’re proposing a gradually increasing revenue-neutral carbon tax starting at $40 per tonne of carbon dioxide, paying that money as equal di… --- ## [U.N. Where Are You? Protect Indigenous Rights (but Violators are Media Darlings)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-n-where-are-you-protect-indigenous-rights-but-violators-are-media-darlings/812478)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-n-where-are-you-protect-indigenous-rights-but-violators-are-media-darlings/812478 "2018-04-26T04:03:20Z")
Indonesia’s Ancient Beliefs Win in Court, but Devotees Still Feel Ostracized The U.N. talks a good game on human rights, especially when Israel is involved. And even Canada, UN human rights report shows that Canada is … --- ## [Can Incipient Violent Killers be Committed for Protection of Society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-incipient-violent-killers-be-committed-for-protection-of-society/813071)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2018, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-incipient-violent-killers-be-committed-for-protection-of-society/813071 "2018-04-26T02:56:04Z")
Two massacres, two days, one with a gun, one with a van. On Sunday, April 22, Travis Reinking killed three people at the Waffle House, in the Nashville, Tennessee area. On Monday, April 23, Alek Minassian rented a va… --- ## [How does love work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-love-work/812050)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-love-work/812050 "2018-04-26T00:19:51Z")
I know my last one said it was overrated. However the real question on my mind is how does it work exactly. Different branches have a view as to what it is, from what I read: Spirituality: Eastern such as buddhism see… --- ## [California wants to ban books about changing an individual’s sexual orientation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-wants-to-ban-books-about-changing-an-individual-s-sexual-orientation/812704)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-wants-to-ban-books-about-changing-an-individual-s-sexual-orientation/812704 "2018-04-25T17:56:19Z")
Yeah I know this article has bias, but what do you think? --- ## [Pres Macron says there is proof that Assad/Syria engaged in chemical weapons attack. What next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299 "2018-04-23T21:46:49Z")
President says that he has stated that “We have proof that last week chemical weapons, at least chlorine, were used by the regime of Bashar al-Assad.” This is a ‘red line’ for the President, “the use of chemical weapons… --- ## [Is the "pick up artist" movement an inherently good or bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pick-up-artist-movement-an-inherently-good-or-bad-thing/572932)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 704\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pick-up-artist-movement-an-inherently-good-or-bad-thing/572932 "2021-04-23T20:53:12Z")
I recently spent some time looking over the blog of “Roissy” after seeing a link to it in another thread. For those who don’t know who this is, he’s apparently a very accomplished pickup artist and icon of the “seduction… --- ## [Would there have been a WWII without Hitler?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-have-been-a-wwii-without-hitler/812375)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-have-been-a-wwii-without-hitler/812375 "2018-04-23T09:22:20Z")
A spin-off from this thread. Suppose Hitler had been killed in WWI and never had a political career. Would there still have been another world war? (And by world war, I’m talking about a war that’s at least as big as WW… --- ## [Raising a genderless child from birth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-a-genderless-child-from-birth/812013)
**Author:** [@Warm\_blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Warm_blood)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-a-genderless-child-from-birth/812013 "2018-04-23T03:45:16Z")
This article chronicles several parents who are attempting to raise children to not identify with any gender. They refer to their unusual approach to child rearing as “gender-open parenting”. They refuse for the child’s … --- ## [Does old-fashioned, rigorous journalism still go on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-old-fashioned-rigorous-journalism-still-go-on/811771)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2018, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-old-fashioned-rigorous-journalism-still-go-on/811771 "2018-04-21T07:19:45Z")
The old-fashioned, pavement-pounding, phone-calling, fact-checking, SOURCE-checking, note-taking kind of journalism that you see in All the President’s Men– does it still go on? Or has the 24/7 news cycle meant that medi… --- ## [Conspiracy theories harmless fun or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-theories-harmless-fun-or-not/812438)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-theories-harmless-fun-or-not/812438 "2018-04-21T02:23:55Z")
In the CS thread on the death of Art Bell I’ve been hammering on my utter contempt for the man (and for others who host conspiracy theory shows.) So I’ll ask here: Is someone who provides a forum to advertize conspiracy… --- ## [Blue passports: Is this the real purpose behind Brexit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-passports-is-this-the-real-purpose-behind-brexit/805104)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2018, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-passports-is-this-the-real-purpose-behind-brexit/805104 "2018-04-21T00:41:29Z")
The Prime Minister: https://twitter.com/theresa\_may/status/944173134621609984 The right wing Brexiters are proclaiming a win after the UK has decided to return to issuing their passports in a blue booklet in October 201… --- ## [New African Money Pit - ‘They Eat Money’: How Graft Enriches Mandela’s Political Heirs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-african-money-pit-they-eat-money-how-graft-enriches-mandela-s-political-heirs/812556)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-african-money-pit-they-eat-money-how-graft-enriches-mandela-s-political-heirs/812556 "2018-04-20T20:43:48Z")
‘They Eat Money’: How Graft Enriches Mandela’s Political Heirs And this is a worthy target for financial and development aid? Is this someone’s idea of a bad joke? We’re supposed to allocate foreign aid to South Africa … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=94) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=96)