Debate.org: Science Debates

Global warming is likely (and mostly) anthropogenic

2013-05-16T15:18:36-08:00

(Post Voting Period) This is for Subutai's environmental tournament. In this debate, I am for the resolution. The BOP will be even since this is a contested issue--BOP shall not be negotiated. The debate structure is first round acceptance, second round arguments (no rebuttals), third round rebuttals/defense, fourth round rebuttals/defense. My opponent is familiar with the wording, and definitions are not needed. Have fun!

The Big Bang Theory Is True

2013-05-04T19:42:01-08:00

(Post Voting Period) I'm doing this for a lot of reasons - Commitment, learning, and most importantly, the weekly stupid. The Big Bang Theory - "A cosmological theory holding that the universe originated approximately 20 billion years ago from the violent explosion of a very small agglomeration of matter of extremely high density and temperature."[1] First round for acceptance, and please don't forfeit. Sources [1]: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/big+bang+theory

Young Earth Creationism Is Not Possible

2013-04-21T06:42:34-08:00

(Post Voting Period)

I hope you like the definitions chosen, and please agree to them before accepting the debate.

Full Resolution

Young earth creationism is possible.

BoP is shared.

Definitions

Young Earth Creationism: "...the religious belief that the Universe, Earth and all life on Earth were created by direct acts of the Abrahamic God during a relatively short period, sometime between 5,700 and 10,000 years ago."[1] Please accept the idea of a six-day creation account.

Possible: "Capable of happening, existing, or being true without contradicting proven facts, laws, or circumstances."[2]

Rules

1. The first round is for acceptance.
2. A forfeit or concession is not allowed.
3. No semantics, trol

Evolution did happen

2013-05-17T19:30:31-08:00

(Voting Period) Definition for argument - Evolution - Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species. My argument - Evolution has occurred and did occur over many generations to create every living creature we see today.

Universal Common descent is a scientific explanation for the genetic origins of living organisms

2013-04-11T19:19:27-08:00

(Post Voting Period)

Resolution

Universal Common descent is a scientific explanation for the genetic origins of living organisms.

Definitions

Universal Common descent - Universal common descent is a general descriptive theory concerning the genetic origins of living organisms (though not the ultimate origin of life). The theory specifically postulates that all of the earth's known biota are genealogically related, much in the same way that siblings or cousins are related to one another [1].

Scientific explanation - Adheres to a valid scientific method, is testable/falsifiable, and is supported by empirical evidence.

Con will argue that Universal Common Descent is a pseudoscience.

Pseudoscience - Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be

Solar roads

2013-05-03T07:44:02-08:00

(Post Voting Period) Definitions: "A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by solar power photovoltaics" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_roadway First round acceptance

The Anti-Evolutionists Are Crippled By Questions That Undermine Their Entire Case

2013-04-27T12:18:18-08:00

(Voting Period) I have already done a post like this in the forums, but frankly I believe this is something that Medic, as someone who has been particularly prone of recent to being anti-evolution in his stance, should address. First, here's some definitions: Evolution - the change in allele frequencies over time, or in other words the changes in traits species inherit throughout generations. (3) Common Descent - the scientific theory that all living organisms descended from a common ancestor that lived 4 billion years ago, and is explored in greater detail in this source (4) Anti-Evolutionists - people who oppose the validity of the Theory of Evolution. May also be, but not necessarily, an advocate of Creationism or Intelligent Design Crippled - held back Undermine - make less credible Entire Case - the notion that the ToE is a hoax or part of a conspiracy by scientists. I'm gonna be pretty lax and say that we can start debating immediately, assuming

Imabench's 300th Debate!!! Resolved: Cats are Liquids

2013-01-09T19:28:44-08:00

(Post Voting Period) This is my 300th debate and I wanted to debate something ive always wanted to debate, whether or not cats are indeed liquids. We all have that one crazy belief that no one else thinks is true, this is my crazy belief. Me and Magicr agreed to debate this, and yes it is only 2 rounds long. Definitions: Liquid: An object with a fixed mass and fixed volume, but does not have a fixed shape and instead match the shape of the container they are poured into. Cats: Demons sent to Earth from Hell that have tried for years to rule over us. Also known as the four legged felines that are the same species portrayed by Garfield, Tom from Tom and Jerry, and those 8 things my crazy old lady neighbor has. First round is acceptance only

Evolution is a Real Thing

2013-04-13T02:51:42-08:00

(Post Voting Period)

Round 1 only for acceptance.

I believe that evolution is a real thing, and that humans evolved.

Mankind Is the Main Cause of Global Warming

2013-02-11T13:37:54-08:00

(Post Voting Period)

I would like to thank Magic8000 for agreeing to this topic. Please read everything below before accepting.

Full Resolution

I will be arguing that mankind is the not main cause of global warming. We will not be arguing if global warming exists or not, it will be assumed that it does; only if global warming has an anthropogenic cause.

BoP is shared.

Definitions

Mankind: "The human race; human beings collectively without reference to sex; humankind."[1]

Main: "Chief in size, extent, or importance; principal; leading;"[2]

Cause: "A person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result; the producer of an effect."[3]

Global Warming: "Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century, and its projected continuation."[4]
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RESOLVED: The Big Bang Created the Universe, as opposed to God, higher power ec.

2013-04-11T14:28:14-08:00

(Post Voting Period)

Round 1 is for acceptance ONLY. Thank you.

I believe that the big bang created the universe.

The Strongest Force in the Universe is Gravity

2013-03-19T17:37:14-08:00

(Post Voting Period) There are 4 basic forces in the universe, The Strong Force, Electromagnetism, The Weak Force, and Gravity. Many people say that The strong force(the force that holds atoms nuclei together)is the strongest force. However, I strongly believe that gravity is by far the strongest force in the universe.

Is the Sky Blue?

2013-04-18T08:42:42-08:00

(Post Voting Period) The sky is not blue, it is actually clear and the blue tint you see in the sky are the gasses in the atmosphere forming chemical reactions creating the color.

Star Trek technology is achievable

2012-12-08T12:59:06-08:00

(Post Voting Period)

The technology on Star Trek is reasonably achievable. While the technology is inherently fictional, the function of the technology could be duplicated in the real world, including it's practical application.

I have provided a list of Star Trek technology. My opponent must choose one of these listed fictional technologies and argue why it's impossible to create. My burden of proof will be to explain why it is possible to create such a technology.

List:

1.> Transporter Technology

2.> Phase modulated Beam weapons (Phasers)

3.> Warp Drive Technology

4.> Force Field Technology

5.> Holographic Recreational Deck (Holodeck)

6.> Tricorder (Medical or General purpose Tricorder)

7.> Cloaking Technology

Science Vs. God

2013-04-16T14:48:40-08:00

(Post Voting Period) BEFORE WE BEGIN LET ME GET SOME THINGS ON THE TABLE! I am not trying to hurt anyone's feelings and I do not believe anyone's personal beliefs are "wrong". I do not wish to personally attack anyone, I just want to have a fun, fair debate! Please do not be ignorant of any topic that happens to come up in this debate! I hope this is an exciting debate and remember, nothing stated in this debate is fact since there is always a possibility of change.

Are "Zombies" a possibility?

2013-03-21T14:45:56-08:00

(Post Voting Period) I a for the fact that a "Zombie" is a possibility. Below I have put a definition. "A zombie (Haitian Creole: zonbi; North Mbundu: nzumbe) is an "animated corpse resurrected by mystical means, such as witchcraft". The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli. Since the late 19th century, zombies have acquired notable popularity, especially in North American and European folklore. In modern times, the term "zombie" has been applied to an undead being in horror fiction, largely drawn from George A. Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. They have appeared as plot devices in various books, films, television shows, and video games." Here are places that "Zombification" has been reported. Africa West According to the tenets of Vodou, a dead person can be revived by a bokor, or sorcerer. Zombies remain under the control of th

We Should Abandon Nuclear Power

2013-03-21T14:37:21-08:00

(Post Voting Period) 'We Should Abandon Nuclear power' First Round Acceptance and condition's My only condition All sources must be referenced.

The USFG should initiate a public contract bid for a pilot lunar terraforming project.

2013-03-19T21:58:22-08:00

(Post Voting Period) Some quick definitions. Terraforming: Deliberately modifying a celestial body to make habitable by humans. Lunar: Relating to the moon. Pilot: A small scale project, perhaps only a few square meters in area. Contract bid: A process in which the best qualified company with the lowest bid will be granted the contract. So my position in this debate is that the United State Federal Government should offer a contract bid to all U.S. companies / entities. The bid will be for the winner to create a pilot terraforming project on the moon. Since this will be a pilot project, the area would be contained and only that area would be terraformed. In other words, the atmosphere, temperature, ecology, and topography would become amenable to human habitation within that confined space. Or at least, that would be the focus. Anyone care to oppose? First round is acceptance, 2nd and 3rd round are debating, and the fourth round should be for rebuttals.

Scientific Evidence Supports the Theory of Evolution

2012-12-05T09:01:05-08:00

(Post Voting Period) This is in response to "Wnope"s Evolution Corner" http://debate.org/forums/religion/topic/26562/, where he has made the claim that creationists wet their pants when presented with the "actual math." As such, I want to see what Wnope is really made of and sent this challenge. The last debate he had was made solely to gain voting rights. For this debate, Definitions: Scientific evidence : Data gained through the scientific method, which can be summarized as "testable, repeatable, falsifiable." The Theory of Evolution: Change in the genome allowing for the formation of a new species. For this debate, this change must be capable, ie. have the driving force, to mutate, or otherwise, bacterium to homo sapiens. Supports: Bear all or part of the weight of; hold up. (Google dictionary) Debate rules: D.R.1. No trolling D.R.2. No vulgarities D.R.3. No plagiarism D.R.4. Forfeit=autoloss Debate Format: D.F.1. R1 for acceptance only D.F.2. R5 for clos

creation has more evidence for it, and less against it than evolution.

2013-04-28T22:19:01-08:00

(Post Voting Period) Okay, first, how do you explain the grand canyon? How can evolution take place if the genetic code prevents it? If Dino's are extinct, that how come they found a baby one in a whale's stomach? How do you explain symbioses? How did humans become so far advanced from other creatures? How do you explain human morals.