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#1
Post in here if you would like to suggest a topic for the organized debate. Please give at least some form of background, simply posting "Evolution" or "Bush sux" is not enough. The topic should be suitable for a debate, "what do you like better, dogs or cats" is not what we're looking for.
#2
Perhaps we could have a debate on the subject of gun control: I did a search and the last thread dedicated to this subject was about 4 months old. Whether or not thats long enough ago isn't up to me to decide.
Anyway, seeing as the thread would be in the Study there'd be a lot more control over the posting so the sometime's humerous but pointless one-liner's wouldn't be present (gunz dont kill ppl chuck norris killz ppl lololol11!!) and I think we could actually have a decent debate over whether civilians should or should not be able to own firearms. Also, as we're all from different parts of the world where different nations have different rulings on the topic it'd open the way for talk on current gun control laws and whether they work or not.
-Cable
How about the debate between the different roles of government? Such as a large state that provides lots of welfare programs VS a small state that tries not to mother people uneccesarily. Its a pretty fundimental debate in modern liberalism and there are literally volumes of arguments both for and against
#4
Resolved: The reduction of the national debt should be a national priority for the United States.
#5
This forum is bigger than the US, Tails.
I would suggest: 'What is the appropriate jurisdiction for sending a country to war, and how does that jurisdiction influence the intensity of the conflict'. Possibly including the knock-on effects to the world's economy, diplomacy and long-term alliances of the countries involved.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
Western Democracy and Islam, are they Compatible?
What about the state of Africa? I think it would be interesting because the continent has a lot of the less often debated troubles of the world in this forum. A debate on Africa might be less polarised than, say, a debate about American politics or the West vs Islam etc so it could be a good topic to get things going with.
Specifically we could debate the best way forwards for dealing with African countries in the grip of poverty and corruption (aid, denying aid, embargos, regime change...). How did the country get to this point, what is it about human nature that makes the problem so difficult to solve or makes a suggested solution not worthwile, etc. Is meddling in the affairs of other countries part of the problem?
#8
Urban Spraw. The pros and cons. Does it lower the overall quality of life? I think Europeans and Americans offer some different and interesting points of view. Not to mention everyone is affected by it or lack of it.
#9
Subjects to avoid: gay marriage, abortion, Iraq.
How about western feelings of supreriority? As demonstrated by a member who will remain anonymous in the US human rights thread, it is rife and may well be a big problem.
#11
One idea I had for a thread a while back might be suitable: has science fiction been a significant influence on modern culture, both in terms of inspriing scientific study and in that it has been a factor in cultural change?
Or is science fiction merely a form of entertainment, with a purpose no higher nor nobler than of pulp fictin entertainment?
Sites like this arguing the value of sci-fi abound, and I daresay that the opposition could find arguements just as easily.
It also seems appropriate that the first debate here is about science fiction, since they ultimately derive from.
Some ideas:
Spirituality vs. Atheism: Scientists have found regions in the brain responsible for feelings of spirituality. In many Atheists this region is "shut off". Does this mean Atheists have evolved beyond the primitive need for a Spirit world? Or do Atheists have a condition which prevents them from understanding the Spiritual?
9/11: Conspiracy or Terrorist Attack?: Flamewar in 3..2..1..
Terrorism as a Military tactic: Is terrorism simply cold hearted evil? Or is it a legitimate military tactic?
@ General Nuke 'Em : I think you suggested 3 wonderful topics. They are divisive though. I am sure they have much potential to lead to a flamewar.
Money ,does is worth more then human lifes?
Is this the ultimate peoples goal ?
#14
Ok, some good responses so far.
The 9/11 conspiracy thread won't fly, it's like making a thread "Starship Enterprise - real or not?".
Good call on those subjects GNE. Although Iraq might actually be interesting due to the shuffled teams, but we would need a well-defined topic rather than "Iraq. Discuss."
#15
Is a three-state solution the best way to resolve factional strife in Iraq?
Points to consider may include the unlikelihood of military victory against the insurgency, the potential for all-out civil war if the minority Sunni and Kurdish factions are unable to win sufficient compromises from a Shia-dominated federal government, the location of vital oil fields in the North and South of the country (leaving the Sunni areas with nothing but "the sands of Anbar"), the lack of a regional counterbalance to an increasingly belligerant Iran and the threat of Turkey to an independent Kurdistan (even one not including any land currently under Turkish jurisdiction).
#16
UN's role in the future. Will it still have clear "puppet" tendencies or will the World Community finally be able to establish it as a truly independent organ, with Earth's best interest in mind, above any nations wishes?
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#17
To what extend are rascism, misogny and/or bigotry still present in the Western world?
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"The book of love has music in it, in fact that's where music comes from, some of it is just transcendental, some of it is just really dumb"
#18
Democracy is only one of many legitimate forms of government: Defend or Refute.
or
Spreading Democracy is no more morally legitimate than spreading Fascism or Anarchy: Defend or Refute.
In Soviet Russia, forums moderate YOU!
my suggestion:
God exist?...why?
Capitalism and modern slavery
The meat market and the circle of the power
Kyoto anymore?
“…Never ask a question to the Eldar, for he will give you three answers; all of which are true and horrifying to know…”
Anything about the existence of God (or the supernatural generally) is a bad one to argue. Proof and logic have no real effect on the debate and it comes down to both sides threating the others like children who haven't figured the world out yet.
Not if you put the "proof and logickers" on the side of religion and the "Faith and Beliefers" on the side of not-religion.Originally Posted by Cailet
On a side note the point about debates isn't to "win" or to "lose" it's to learn something. Putting people on "sides" that they normally wouldn't be on is the best way to learn IMO. Forcing someone to debate the side they're not accustomed to, forces them to see the other's side's point, and become more educated on the topic in general. Debating for the opposing side can also reinforce one's own beliefs, or better yet temper them. That's also why I don't think it's right to not talk about certain topics. In a "real debate" there should be no bounds to the topics that can be discussed.
I would advise staying away from religious debate as a lot of the debate for a religion stems from 'faith' and from 'scriptures' , hardly credible sources for those that crave fact or theoretic proof based realistic possibilities.
Basically it usually boils down to [insert diety here *] exists because the [insert scripture here ] and it says in [insert quote from scripture here], so it must be true.
or
If [diety] didnt exist , where does life come from huh ? huh ? Come on noob ?
Not much breadth for discussion
* I avoided using any diety names as some are forbidden to use and offensive to those who believe, I recall some documentry mentioning that.
I find it troubling that you "boil down" thousands of years of philosophical thought, by billions of philosopher's, theologists, scientists and lay people into such simplistic terms. The debate is much more nuanced than A) God exists B) God Doesn't exist and hence I personally believe there is much room for discussion. If we (as in the forum community) are incapable of debating it then that's the problem, don't blame the topic itself.
Meh, I've been in a lot of debates and in none of them has it really worked. None were set up in 'controlled conditions' like this one perhaps but every single one so far has either been a flamewar or both sides trolling for lack of any way to get it across.
I agree there's plenty of room to learn in the debate but I'm sceptical about how well it would play out.
Maybe to make people think more about their answers, we can have flamers/trollers banned form The Study for say a month and particulary good posters can have a larger say in the next one if it works/ "Debater" (sp?) title/avatar.
#26
Religion debate = No.
I've seen far too many of them in my time here, and have come to the conclusion that it is a subject best avoided on an internet forum.
Other such subjects are politics and sex.
#27
Hmm, on a locally relevant issue:
- Should we ignore and lock out "uncomfortable" (racist-elitist-whatever) political parties that still got 5-20 % of the votes?
- or not..?
Locutus:
I think that the study is trying to drive this kind of discussions in a debate with rules that will avoid uncontrolled deviations and hostilities...
Let's test...
#29
Religious debates do not lend themselves to this kind of debate, I think.
I don't know what you want to debate about concerning sex, but politics is something I wouldn't count out.Other such subjects are politics and sex.
#30
Things like "is homesexuality wrong" fall under the sex category, along with gender issues to a lesser extend (we don't have anything approacing an even gender distribution.) Discussions about those topics just don't seem to pan out all that well.I don't know what you want to debate about concerning sex, but politics is something I wouldn't count out.
I was making a general statement, but I think that in this particular context a political discussion could indeed be viable.
Heres one:
To what extent is democracy fair? How extensive are the problems with majority rule?
#32
That is indeed one of my favorites...
#33
And too broad to get a decent coherent argument. A sizeable portion of the members here are American, yet America isn't a democracy despite paying significant lip-service to it, and most countries that are democratic are either borderline or so vastly different from each other. Democracy, to me, isn't a 'set in stone' idea that can be argued with aspects of people's ideas being neatly fitted into black, white and grey by other debators for clarity and sustained debate, which is surely a requisite of The Study.
Though this is merely my opinion. The definition of 'democracy' is essentially 'mob rule'. Majority rule is either beneficial or oppressive purely due to the nature of the population. The idea of democracy in its raw form is that if the people want it, it is so, no matter what it is.
Of course we do! Chrome speaks for all, and enough minds to keep it equal no matter what!
As always i stick to my favorite topic to debate on and namely love, now know several threads already established that its a subjective topic as everyone loves in his or her's own way so what i suggest now is debating on the pros and cons of the following types of lovers: the player(you know this type all to well from movies such as American Pie), the protector (the odd ball of an age where careing for the girl you love before she gives a f**k is sure to end a less then pleasent way) the user( interesting offshute of players, this type take player's "bang and boot" policy to a new level, namely "bang and add to harem for later") the emo ( the dude who gets his guts torn out early on in life and turns soft for it) the bimbo (smart?or not?its subjective really but i have seen cases of 3 of this type running a whole school) the nerd ( sex crazed yet ironicly mate interested man or woman) the dork( just sex crazed) and more just add in what type you think you fit into and then put up arguments for or even against your type.
Oh and just to clear up this isn't a "How do i get a date?" topic but more over one designed to enrich the knowledge of this field and indeed raise awarness of less than privilaged types of lovers(example being the protector who gets his ass whooped most of the time for absolutly nothing or the nerd who gets branded a dork and passed over by girls).
PS: Don't shoot me for putting up this idea ok?
Perhaps something on the subject of the world's oil supplies, how long they will last given our growing demand and shrinking supply, I mean considering that some analists say we won't last until 2016 at this rate. I'd say...will we be able to wean ourselves off of it in time to save some, or will we have to go cold turkey when we're all out? this could lead into further discussion of how the government is helping or hurting the situation.
#37
This has to be the best suggestion so far. Many times a form of a republic is considered being at the apex for types of government? While some still argue for other types of government saying that they have their strong points.
…Such as the lack of blood sucking capitalists in socialism.
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#38
I agree with Splitstar there, it is definitely an excellent suggestion. However, on that note we need to be careful to either explicitly include economic systems or not. As split has already pointed out.
(Previously, and still occasionally zbobet2012)
Government control versus Anarcho-Capitalism/Libertarianism.
"Sanity... Now why would I want an annoying thing like that?"
#40
I with Zbobet, No Surrender and Splitstar.
Sigulds suggestion could work within the same scope.
#41
Ok, I have no idea what kind of debate you're looking for with the "love" topic, especially considering that a good portion of the participants are not in high school anymore.
#42
VOTE NOW FOR GREAT JUSTICE.
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