The Debate Chat

Pretty much summed up in the title. So most if not all academic institutions (including but not limited to University, College and Highschool) do not allow wikipedia to be used in assignments, essays, research projects etc. because of the open-source like content on the site. How do you feel about this? Do you think it is in fact a reliable source? This topic has been edited by a member of staff (Ruto). The topic was posted in the wrong area. Please check your user inbox to see if you have been contacted regarding this topic. Per the reason above, this topic has been MOVED from 'Neopets Debate' to 'Debate and Discussion'.

Derren Brown is a very, very good pychologist in England, who specialises in "trickery, illusion, misdirection, and some magic". On wednesday night he predicted, LIVE the lottery numbers, and got them right (he was band from buying a ticket and had to get special permission to produce the show). If you haven't seen it its on youtube, under "Derren Brown The Event - Lottery Prediction". I just wanted to know, do we think this is real, or did he some how trick us - if so, then how? Either way, this is creepy...

Do you think the IAAF can support more equal competitions, rather than solely basing it on sex? http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009...r_semenya_.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8215112.stm http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/mor...icle6802314.ece

Any time I hear somebody say that they love to debate, I cringe a little; usually what they mean is that they love to compete, and competition isn't something I'm a big fan of. It is incredibly easy to say something wrong and hurt somebody's feelings, which can lead to all sorts of complexes and complications. Allow me here to address the "thick skin" idea: a person with a thin shell, who allows things to easily get to them, is not less worthy of self-esteem than a person who has a thicker shell. Anyway, this is a creeping feeling I've had my entire life, to the point where I could barely stand school rallys: Is our home team really better than the other one, simply …

Today we had our first real debate team meeting, and we're entering in a competition. The topic we have to debate is whether or not the UN should increase humanitarian assistance to people in poverty. I'll be able to argue both points if needed, but I'm hoping that maybe you guys can provide some interesting points that I haven't thought of. So what do you think? Should the UN provide more aid or not?

I think that I've uncovered it. The secret simply is, us. We make "Popular Kids" popular. We give them attention, make them feel better than us by talking about them, feeling threatened by them and so. You see I've experienced this. I started a bit of a loner, got some close friends, one of them started going out with the prettiest girl in the year, and suddenly we're part of her clique and the "Popular Kids". (Any guy she goes out with and his friends are part of this clique.) Now I hear people talking behind my back, some other friends saying to my face that I shouldn't hang out with my friends because "they think they're sikk" When they don't. Now with people sayi…

MODS: I apologize for putting this in the wrong forum, I am at work and read debate, i just realized I put it in the wrong forum forgive me please :/ Thank you in advance. Here is my question: More and more everyday you see companies going "green", you see nickelodeon and other stations touting the benefits of going green, but are people doing it because they care about the environment or are they doing it because they were told to and they want to follow everyone else? My thoughts on the subject, and how I see it is this: SOME people are doing it because they care about the environment, people who know what trouble it can cause, who have seen the effects, fis…

Just a poll, put it here because obviously sometimes religious topics can get a bit heated ^_^ I'm an atheist myself~ NOTE: If you are Christian, please include your denomination. And why doesn't this forum allow polls? :S

First of all, I am disabled (PM for info as I will not discuss it here). I am very stubborn and cannot STAND pity. I also get irritated when people seem afraid of disabled people. So, are you afraid? Do you pity? Or do you try to look past disability? Please note that I will not try to change anyone's views unless they wish to change.

I feel uncomfertable being near bi-sexuals or gays, and I recently learned that New York (My hometown) has turned down the bill for same sex marrige. I was raised Catholic and I believe it's a sin to be homosexual. I don't mind the idea of homosexuality, but I say they shouldn't be married. If anything, stay together, but that is it. Like some say, it was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. What is your thought?

On February 12, 2008, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot in his California classroom—friends said the reason was his sexual orientation and gender expression. In response, over 190 spontaneous vigils were organized across the country to mark the tragic shooting and call for an end to anti-LGBT bias. February 12th has been marked by community members as a day to continue calling for an end to the ongoing harassment and violence. If you are planning a vigil to commemorate the life of Lawrence King this year please register your event at www.rememberinglawrence.org. Let others learn what you are doing in your community. --------------- I'm putting this here bec…

This debate was sparked when me and Trinston were talking in the "Which Creature is better?" topic. And since it was going off topic, I desided to make an acual topic. I will now list things about comedy today: 1. Comedy is falling drasticly due to people stealing someone elses material or making pointless references (i.e. Family Guy, Meet the Spartans) 2. Stupidity is one of the worst kinds of comedy, and shouldn't even be noticed. (i.e. Spongebob, Flapjack) 3. Very few shows do stupidity well, making it funny (i.e. Simpsons, Family Guy, Chowder, Scrubs) 4. Stealing someones material isn't funny (i.e. Epic Movie, Disaster Movie, Meet the Spartans, Superhe…

Sirs, I don't know any philosophy.But one thing that makes me ponder is that why haven't we seen God?There is no hell or heaven rather galaxies and metal core of our earth.So what can be the abode of God.Don't you think he is an alien or does he exist in another dimension ?Can anybody say what physics laws does he use to be invisible.The reason that I ask this question is that I have got some signs that God exists but I still cant believe.How come horrorscopes and astrologers predictions come true.Please enlighten

Is Avatar really on par with the Legendary Titanic? For those who have watched both movies, which one do you think is better? Personally, i think that they are both amazing, but somehow, after watching Avatar, i was astounded by the originality of the movie. The graphics, and the amazing imagination behind it all. Somehow, Titanic can't compete with something this original. But then there's always the fact that Titanic came out almost a decade before Avatar... What do you guys think?

I was just wondering what people think of the vampire rage that's taken over the Harry Potter fever. I used to love vampires in my early teens, i am still fascinated by the whole blood sucker concept and am interested in the whole fantasy aspect of it...BUT, i think it's being too hyped and given wayyy too much media coverage. Everywhere i turn i find a vampire, so now i'm just annoyed of them. What about you guys? Anyone else had enough of vampires? Or are you still in the their thrall? And what galls me most of all is that even though i am not liking too many vampires at the moment, i still want to go see Daybreakers?! (although i still haven't seen/read the Twi…

Hello, The word "avatar" literally means reincarnation of Vishnu in Hinduism. He's always depicted as being blue colored in paintings and temples, and all the characters in the avatar movie are blue. Coincidence, or planned?

A few days ago, a 15 year old guy was texting a 13 year old girl (I don't have any names, sorry). The guy was trying to reach his friend through the girl, because his friend didn't have a cell phone. The girl dissaproved of the relationship, and after texting back and forth between the two, she made a rude remark of the guy's brother who killed himself last year due to mental problems. In result, he came to the school, and beat her and stomped on her head multiple times with steel toed boots. She's now in a coma, and he's charged for attempted murder, with the girl who helped him find her charged as an accomplice. What are your thoughts of this? My choice was other, b…

I don't know if there was another topic about this, but I didn't find one. (And I hope I posted this in the right area. D: ) Anyway, lately, I've been thinking about how people like or dislike being an only child/having siblings. I have a half brother, but he doesn't live with me and rarely visits, (I think it's been about, what... 2-4 years since I last saw him.)so I feel like an only child. In my opinion, I think it'd be fun to have a actual brother/sister to spend time with. Of course, there are friends, but wouldn't having a sibling be fun? To me, it's quite boring at home when none of your friends are available. But, that's just my opinion. I have a l…

Alright, this is a pretty standard question; What's your type of music? What are some bands you love, and some you hate? Reccomendations for others with similar taste would be great too. This is posted in the Debate forum since musical discussion can get pretty intense xD I like almost all kinds of music, though I'm not a huge fan of a lot of the more popular material out there. Then again, I'm not one to discriminate against a sound based on whether or not it's 'mainstream'. I usually default to indie or alternative rock, but I've been really enjoying classical music lately. I really like the song 'Lost Art' by the Mere Mortals right now. Also 'Now We C…

Here in New Zealand there is discussion about raising our drinking age. It has been 18 since 1999 but now they are thinking about putting it back up to 20. I'm now 20 so it doesn't bother me so much now, though I know when I was 18 I would have put up a firm argument for it to stay 18. I'm currently studying in a city in NZ that has a bit of a reputation for its student drinking culture so in some ways it would be good to have it lower. One thought I had was making it R18 for bars, pubs and clubs; and R20 for liquor shops and supermarkets. This would reduce the amount of teenagers getting drunk at parties or at their flat - which tends to get out of control In pu…