# What are your most unpopular opinions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 14, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645 "2013-04-14T00:24:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/261 "2013-04-18T15:19:50Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > Sure, it’s not a perfect test, but it’s about as good as we’re ever going to get modulo some properly constructed scientific study which is likely never going to be commissioned. It’s also more evidence than karate schools have ever brought to the table to justify their sale to middle class parents as a self-defence tool for their kids. > > UFC neatly demonstrates that the ability to punch and grapple is more or less central to fighting ability. No Eastern spiritualist bullshit. No silly poses. Just a proper guard and the ability to throw a good punch. Merely by taking up boxing and hitting a punchbag a few times a week your punching power increases dramatically, anyway, so I’m not convinced self selection is merely all that’s going on here. The problem with this reasoning is the your local TKD dojo is not training kids to fight BJJ blackbelts. The likely opponent is some kid at school who had his growth spurt early and is trying to take their lunch money. Anecdotally, all the teenagers I knew who studied martial arts seriously were able to fight of bullies, I have no idea how they would have done in the octagon but on a street corner they did well. ---
**Author:** ![beatlejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@beatlejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beatlejuice)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/262 "2013-04-18T16:13:47Z")
My opinion: Don’t wear leggings to work unless you weigh 120 lbs or less and have a covering at just above your knees. Don’t ever wear leggings if you weight 250lbs; not to work, not to the supermarket, not even to clean your toilet. Please…just don’t. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/263 "2013-04-18T16:31:04Z")
> [@beatlejuice](#): > > My opinion: Don’t wear leggings to work unless you weigh 120 lbs or less and have a covering at just above your knees. > > Don’t ever wear leggings if you weight 250lbs; not to work, not to the supermarket, not even to clean your toilet. Please…just don’t. :mad: Googles leggings. Oh, =stretch pants =tights =panties with legs. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/264 "2013-04-18T16:31:33Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > Not remarkably unpopular, but: I think most Asian martial arts, marketed to kids and parents alike as being for self-defence, are completely bullshit and do more harm than good in giving kids a false sense of security. Mixed martial arts competitions like UFC have just confirmed that. Out of the eight current UFC male champions, across all weight classes, 100% of them to my count are experts in a form of boxing, whether Thai or Western, with a good dose of wrestling of one form or another thrown in. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the only non-boxing Asian-derived martial art that figures. No Karate, no Japanese Judo, no Taekwondo, etc. The message seems pretty clear — want do learn to defend yourself? Learn to box or wrestle. I see what you’re saying, but its an interesting way to arrive at the point. From what I’ve seen, most self defense classes for kids are useless, because it just isn’t good training. It serves the same purpose as soccer practice, and for many adults, it’s just exercise. The current champions/elite do possess some degree of boxing skill, but then most striking arts indulge in pugilism and grappling, where it applies. In terms of actual defense, most physical altercations seem to be a matter of who gets lucky with a sucker-blow in a heads-up situation, before succumbing to the fatigue of “wrestling” about. The real self defense comes in court, if you weren’t smart enough to avoid the situation from the getgo.😛 In all honesty, I agree with the premise. The form aspect of martial arts won’t do much for you. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_I\_Am](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Sam\_I\_Am](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_I_Am)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/265 "2013-04-18T17:02:59Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > Not remarkably unpopular, but: I think most Asian martial arts, marketed to kids and parents alike as being for self-defence, are completely bullshit and do more harm than good in giving kids a false sense of security. Mixed martial arts competitions like UFC have just confirmed that. Out of the eight current UFC male champions, across all weight classes, 100% of them to my count are experts in a form of boxing, whether Thai or Western, with a good dose of wrestling of one form or another thrown in. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the only non-boxing Asian-derived martial art that figures. No Karate, no Japanese Judo, no Taekwondo, etc. The message seems pretty clear — want do learn to defend yourself? Learn to box or wrestle. I didn’t realize they were marketed that way. I have a 10 year old in karate, and we do it because it is good discipline and exercise, not for self-defence. Play wrestling with her dad, I suspect, teaches her more of the latter. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/266 "2013-04-18T17:07:18Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > Sure, it’s not a perfect test, but it’s about as good as we’re ever going to get modulo some properly constructed scientific study which is likely never going to be commissioned. It’s also more evidence than karate schools have ever brought to the table to justify their sale to middle class parents as a self-defence tool for their kids. That’s fine, and like I said, there’s probably a lot of truth in what you say. (I remember being surprised years ago when a knowledgable guy I knew told me in his opinion being a karate expert gave you “a marginal advantage over an experienced street fighter” but not more than that - since then I’ve paid attention to this and this seems to be the consensus of people who understand these matters.) My point is just that your evidence is inconclusive. Not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/267 "2013-04-18T18:18:04Z")
Not quite a nitpick - but in modern MMA they wear gloves. It is therefore possible to punch against hard surfaces like heads without breaking your hands. So boxing skill is somewhat over-represented vs. how it would be in a street fight. The early UFCs were won by grapplers, who took their skills from jujitsu and Kodokan judo. As for the OP - I am a conservative. Pretty much by definition everything I think is unpopular around here. F’rinstance, I think Roe v. Wade should be overturned, not because I am anti-abortion, but because it was and is an egregious power grab by the federal government, and in clear violation of the Tenth Amendment. Others - [ul][li]mandatory death penalty for first and second-degree murder, rape where a weapon is used, arson resulting in the death of a person, and upon a second conviction of drunk driving in which someone was killed or seriously injured.[_]UHC is not going to save the US one solitary penny. Rationing would, but universal access to health care increases demand, and therefore the price will go up.[_]Reagan was the greatest President of the 20th century. [/ul][/li]Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/268 "2013-04-18T18:23:44Z")
More nuclear power plants. Nuclear waste disposal? Drop it in a deep ocean trench. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/269 "2013-04-18T18:30:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Reagan was the greatest President of the 20th century. [/list] I’ve heard this before, and I have a question that might hijack, or maybe you can PM me. If Regan was (via Nancy) consulting astrologers for major world-affecting decisions, led us away from alternative energy that could have freed us from international dependence on warring countries and finished his term while quite senile… how can you justify this? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/270 "2013-04-18T19:01:33Z")
> [@beatlejuice](#): > > My opinion: Don’t wear leggings to work unless you weigh 120 lbs or less and have a covering at just above your knees. > > Don’t ever wear leggings if you weight 250lbs; not to work, not to the supermarket, not even to clean your toilet. Please…just don’t. :mad: I saw a woman this weekend who was wearing leggings without a covering shirt - she wasn’t even a bit overweight, but it still looked terrible - between being able to see more of her than I really wanted to, you could also see her “cottage cheese” bum. :eek: > [@UncleRojelio](#): > > More nuclear power plants. Nuclear waste disposal? Drop it in a deep ocean trench. An interesting idea I’ve heard is to put nuclear waste back where the uranium was mined out of. It didn’t bother anybody in there up until now; it shouldn’t bother anybody after you return it to where you found it. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/271 "2013-04-18T19:34:45Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > An interesting idea I’ve heard is to put nuclear waste back where the uranium was mined out of. It didn’t bother anybody in there up until now; it shouldn’t bother anybody after you return it to where you found it. Like I said, drop it in a deep ocean trench. It will get back to where it came from, eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/272 "2013-04-18T20:14:55Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > I’ve heard this before, and I have a question that might hijack, or maybe you can PM me. If Regan was (via Nancy) consulting astrologers for major world-affecting decisions, led us away from alternative energy that could have freed us from international dependence on warring countries and finished his term while quite senile… how can you justify this? Because none of the allegations you list are true. Reagan did not consult any astrologers for any [major](http://articles.latimes.com/1988-05-04/news/mn-2147_1_astrological-advice) decisions, there is no indication that we could have developed anything like solar or wind power to the point of not relying on foreign oil, and [Reagan’s physicians](http://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/05/us/while-known-for-being-forgetful-reagan-was-mentally-sound-in-office-doctors-say.html) have said that Reagan showed no signs of Alzheimer’s until several years after he left office. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/273 "2013-04-18T20:57:59Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Because none of the allegations you list are true. > > Reagan did not consult any astrologers for any [major](http://articles.latimes.com/1988-05-04/news/mn-2147_1_astrological-advice) decisions, there is no indication that we could have developed anything like solar or wind power to the point of not relying on foreign oil, and [Reagan’s physicians](http://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/05/us/while-known-for-being-forgetful-reagan-was-mentally-sound-in-office-doctors-say.html) have said that Reagan showed no signs of Alzheimer’s until several years after he left office. > > Regards, > Shodan Well, poor choice of phrasing on my part, but is _any_ decision made by the POTUS while in office minor? Shouldn’t rational people look askance at any POTUS decision made with the aid of astrology? ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/274 "2013-04-18T22:40:14Z")
Sweatpants are acceptable attire when it’s cold enough outside. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/275 "2013-04-19T00:11:51Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > I think the term preggo should be outlawed, along with all those other douchey, cutesy parenting terms they use on parenting boards. I can handle preggo - it has a sense of humor about it. “Baby bump” is the one that annoys me. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/276 "2013-04-19T00:27:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Because none of the allegations you list are true. > > …there is no indication that we could have developed anything like solar or wind power to the point of not relying on foreign oil… Come on. Nobody thinks we could have untethered from Arabia during the Reagan administration if only he’d left those solar panels on the White House roof. But how could we not be _closer_, today, if he (and successors) had backed alternatives generally? ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/277 "2013-04-19T00:59:58Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Come on. Nobody thinks we could have untethered from Arabia during the Reagan administration if only he’d left those solar panels on the White House roof. But how could we not be _closer_, today, if he (and successors) had backed alternatives generally? For example, what if effort and funding comparable to the completely useless if not outright fraudulent “Star Wars” missile defense had been spent instead on alternative energy sources? I stand by my opinion that nuclear power is what we should be working hard on improving and implementing on a larger scale, however. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/278 "2013-04-19T01:03:05Z")
Watching sports-_any_ of them-is mind-numbingly boring. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/279 "2013-04-19T01:46:19Z")
Alto clarinets are worthwhile. Pit bulls are awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/280 "2013-04-19T02:01:12Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Watching sports-_any_ of them-is mind-numbingly boring. If I have to explain, you won’t get it… 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645.md?page=15)