State some controversial beliefs that you have.

[Anne_Neville]

@nashiitashii

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with active euthanasia when used properly, and I think it’s more barbaric to let someone live in an active form of suffering or complete non-development than it is to euthanize them in a relatively painless way.

I agree with this. I think we treat animals better than people in this way- if an animal is suffering and has little or no hope of anything else in its remaining life, you can have it euthanized. If a person is in the same condition, you can’t. Barbaric, as you said.

@xanthous

People should have to be licensed to have kids. I mean like take tests- written, oral psychological.

There’s a problem with this, though. I doubt there’s a truly objective test for whether someone would be a good parent, so someone is going to have to make a judgment call. And some of the people who make that judgment call are going to, consciously or otherwise, apply different criteria to people who they think are like them and people who aren’t. I could easily see some religious people given the power to make that decision making it much harder for atheists to score well enough to have kids, for example.

[Alessan]

@Anne Neville

There’s a problem with this, though. I doubt there’s a truly objective test for whether someone would be a good parent, so someone is going to have to make a judgment call. And some of the people who make that judgment call are going to, consciously or otherwise, apply different criteria to people who they think are like them and people who aren’t. I could easily see some religious people given the power to make that decision making it much harder for atheists to score well enough to have kids, for example.

Right. And no-one is going to prevent their own children from having children, either, no matter what.

[Ranchoth]

@Anne Neville

There’s a problem with this, though. I doubt there’s a truly objective test for whether someone would be a good parent, so someone is going to have to make a judgment call.

I’d suggest making the point of testing not to only allow “good” parents, but to weed out really bad ones. A slight difference, you might say, but it should be enough to allow a spectrum of diversity while still disqualifying the drunken psychopaths.

…Or, with a few more years of technology under our belts, the whole process could be accomplished with a computer, and take humans out of the loop entirely. (And a computer could be set and programmed to accept factors from youth, health, sexual fertility, intelligence, and a cross section of necessary skills… :D)

[outlierrn]

@Ranchoth

I’d suggest making the point of testing not to only allow “good” parents, but to weed out really bad ones.

and unprepared ones, you would not believe the cluelessness we see

[Spice_Weasel]

I believe people who believe suicide is selfish have absolutely no understanding of what depression actually is and what it’s like for your life to be an endless and apparently unceasing torment – in fact, I posit the opposite, that people who decide to stay alive have done one of the most unselfish things imaginable and deserve to be recognized and lauded for consistently placing their respect for their loved ones in front of their own self-interest.

I believe that homophobia is on par with racism, I find both inexcusable and despicable.

I believe that people who seriously believe there is more discrimination against white males than minorities/women are most likely part of the problem.

I believe that most men who are sexist don’t realize they are sexist. I believe that a noticeably large percentage of men consistently disregard the opinions of women – especially in professional/academic situations – without having any idea that they are doing it. I think women have found a way to get past this problem, but it sadly involves no longer being considered attractive or sexual.

I believe that feminism is both sensible and ridiculous. Equal treatment for women is a really obvious desirable thing and I’m not sure it needs a label. A hundred specious articles on how women’s bathroom stalls are oppressive and teach them to be ashamed of their bodies – that’s just ridiculous. I’m embarrassed by feminists who find a reason to be oppressed everywhere they look. A lot of it seems to be wild gesticulating and screaming without any verifiable evidence presented in support of said opinions.

I believe the reason I have such a strong fascination with/aversion to feminism is that
a. I have definitely been the victim of discrimination and gender related violence/mistreatment
b. At the same time, I just flat out don’t feel like anybody’s inferior.

I believe that one of the greatest enemies of our society is the doctrine of self-esteem, self-gratification and self-empowerment. I believe this harms on two levels–it creates victims who refuse to take responsibility for their lives, and it also creates selfish blowhards who fundamentally lack compassion for anyone outside their little bubble of social contacts. I think even the most kindhearted people can fall victim to the “ME ME ME” trap… (they are the ones who usually end up “victims”) but the truth is, self-esteem has no correlation with personal happiness. Research consistently shows that people who care about and focus on others are happier.

I don’t really believe free will exists. I’ve tried. I guess as long as we think there’s free will, it doesn’t matter. But the more I learn about science, and the brain, the more impossible it seems that such a thing could exist.

I think when trying to predict behavior, you’ll be much more accurate to say people will do the irrational, stupid, dangerous, deplorable thing every time.

I think it’s very sad that I am this cynical and fatalistic and only 23.

I think science is REALLY freakin’ awesome, and rationality an indispensable cousin.

I don’t believe universal moral imperatives are a good idea – as many judgments as possible should be taken on a contextual basis. We can say, “Killing a human being is bad,” but I guarantee you there’s going to be a situation where a simple cost-benefit analysis reveals you ought to shoot the SOB.

I believe liberals can be really embarrassingly irrational, especially in their perception that “OMG BUSH IS THE DEVIL” is going to change the mind of someone who is conservative. I say this as an incredibly liberal person who at least has the rationality to understand that the people I disagree with feel as emotionally emphatic about their political beliefs as I do. The best way to open someone’s else’s mind is not to attack them, but to disarm them with your own open mind.

Finally,
(and the most controversial opinion OF ALL)
I believe sports are an absolute waste of time for anyone who is not actually physically participating.
runs and hides

[wonky]

@olivesmarch4th

Finally,
(and the most controversial opinion OF ALL)
I believe sports are an absolute waste of time for anyone who is not actually physically participating.
runs and hides

You had me until there, but now you reveal your true, horrible nature!

Please stick around. I’m enjoying your posts (here and the teabag thread).

[DragonAsh]

@olivesmarch4th

I believe sports are an absolute waste of time for anyone who is not actually physically participating.

Have we ever dated?

[Spice_Weasel]

Please stick around. I’m enjoying your posts (here and the teabag thread).

Awww.

I’ve always watched the Dopers from afar, with envy. It’s pretty exciting to actually be able to have an intelligent conversation with someone on the web. It’s a rare thing indeed.

[Ranchoth]

@jsgoddess

Please stick around. I’m enjoying your posts (here and the teabag thread).

I’ll second that—you’re a good egg, mac.

[Der_Trihs]

@olivesmarch4th

It’s pretty exciting to actually be able to have an intelligent conversation with someone on the web. It’s a rare thing indeed.

You stay ! Dopers smart. Talk good ! Me go now.

[eenerms]

I believe that Steven Spielberg is a hack as a director.
I believe California wines are overpriced.
I believe that Americans are not as hated in other countries as the US media makes out.

[jackelope]

I know I’m going to get flamed from here to Sunday for this, as it’s a really hot topic these days on the SDMB, but my conscience compels me to speak:

I believe that the Rule Against Perpetuities and the Statute of Frauds should be repealed in all states. The establishments that RAP was designed to discourage have long since learned to exist around it, and the Statute of Frauds, on the rare occasions that it has any legal relevance, serves only to let cheaters run scot-free. The US should adopt something more akin to the CISG.

And don’t get me started on the Rule in Shelley’s Case.

[Anise]

I hate Christmas. It’s not the commercialism, because I love the BUILDUP to Christmas (Santas, shopping, carols, decorations, etc.) But on Christmas Day itself, I always remember just how much I really do hate it. The only way to enjoy it is to be under the age of eight. Otherwise,it’s always a simmering cauldron of family tension. I’ve just had it. I’m not going through a family Christmas again. Next year, I’m going to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, an d the day after Christmas either in Death Valley, or volunteering at a nursing home. Maybe there’s some way to combine the two, like a nursing home in Las Vegas… (ponders the thought) I would rather have spent the entire day shoveling fish guts than the way I DID spend Christmas this year, and I am NOT doing it again!!!

[Largo62]

I believe it should be illegal for a CEO of a company to be given any bonus, much less the obscene packages that have been seen recently, unless the stockhiolders are also making money. It’s just wrong to reward a failed CEO when the owners of the company are watching their profits dwindle. These grotesque awards are only possible because of the incestuous nature of boards of directors. If I get you a seat on my board, you get me a seat on yours, and we’ll each use our influence to pad each other’s bank accounts, all the while fucking the stockholders.

I believe that members of Congress who vote to send troops to any foreign land should be compelled to remain at the front, either in or out of uniform, until the conflict is resolved or until such member of Congress is wounded or dead. I would extend that all the way up the chain to the President. He should lead troops, not merely send them. If that were the rule, we’d be in fewer wars.

Given that we already are involved, I think it would be well to train at least one soldier from every unit to speak the local language fluently.

[Anne_Neville]

@Ranchoth

I’d suggest making the point of testing not to only allow “good” parents, but to weed out really bad ones. A slight difference, you might say, but it should be enough to allow a spectrum of diversity while still disqualifying the drunken psychopaths.

I’d still worry about it being misused. Who’s to say that someone wouldn’t try to weed out potential terrorists by restricting Muslims and Arabs from having kids? Unfortunately, something like that would probably be fairly popular.

[Walpurgis]

I feel that the fact that no-one talks about a contraception pill for men makes me furious. Women worldwide are stuffing themselves with oestrogen on a daily basis to avoid conception. Often, it works, but the side-effects aren’t always very nice. Trombosis, depression, bloating, weight gain… and lately, many women reporting that after being on the Pill, they develop severe vaginal pains (the theory is that the hormonal balance is skewed, causing the walls of the vagina to become hypersensitive). It’s not uncommon to be unable to ride a bike or wear pants, much less have sex. All the while, I haven’t heard a peep about a Pill for men. Reading through this thread, I’ve seen nothing about giving the guys a contraceptive shot (might have missed it, of course). Why not, eh? Try the hormone cocktail, fellas.

[Spice_Weasel]

I feel that the fact that no-one talks about a contraception pill for men makes me furious.

I’m with you, Grammanaut. They’ve been developing some forms of male contraception, but surveys on the street indicate that men don’t even have the intention of trying any of the new treatments. “No way in hell, that doesn’t sound comfortable!” they whine. Never mind that women have been ingesting strange substances and cramming strange objects in their hoo-hahs since the dawn of time. Freakin’ hypocrites.

[fachverwirrt]

@Grammanaut

I feel that the fact that no-one talks about a contraception pill for men makes me furious. Women worldwide are stuffing themselves with oestrogen on a daily basis to avoid conception. Often, it works, but the side-effects aren’t always very nice. Trombosis, depression, bloating, weight gain… and lately, many women reporting that after being on the Pill, they develop severe vaginal pains (the theory is that the hormonal balance is skewed, causing the walls of the vagina to become hypersensitive). It’s not uncommon to be unable to ride a bike or wear pants, much less have sex. All the while, I haven’t heard a peep about a Pill for men. Reading through this thread, I’ve seen nothing about giving the guys a contraceptive shot (might have missed it, of course). Why not, eh? Try the hormone cocktail, fellas.

How would that work? To the best of my knowledge, the pill operates by simulating pregnancy, thereby preventing ovulation. A male pill wouldn’t operate on the same principle. What would such a pill do?

[Spice_Weasel]

What would such a pill do?

They actually do have a pill still in trial testing for men. It’s intended to be taken a few hours before intercourse and to work only on a temporary basis. As far as I understand, it either prevents ejaculation (not orgasm–ejaculation) or prevents ejaculate from having sperm in it. Men have declared a universal “no way!” in preliminary surveys about whether there would be a market for this.

[Spice_Weasel]

Sorry for the double-post, but there is also a longer term option in which they insert a tiny tube into the urethra. It has to be done by a doctor, but it is easily reversible (and yes, you can still pee.) The effect is basically sterility for as long as the tube’s in there.