The Great Weekly New Debate

I think we all are granted with the freedom of speech..

We just can't do it in public, and the only true listener and beleiver is the person in the mirror.. lol...

You are right Viv.  I feel I still have "Freedom of Speech" I have never bit my tongue.  But then again I'm not famous!!

Call me naive..but no cultured society was ever ment to remain the same for too long...say every decade, to every century, to give or take 250 to 400 years. There is always great change within a local or world society. I am one of those people who believe that all things are in order even in chaos. We simply cannot expect everything to be the way we want it to be always. Depressions, Recessions, Climate Changes, Goverment and Financial Industry are always on the Proverbial Roller Coaster. Are we spending too much? Hello? When were we ever so frugal when we didn't have to be. Oh dont blame the Democrats either. Both parties "spend spend spend" either the military or medicare we spend.

yea Lips,

When I was a younger (more radical) man I used to get angry (no furious! >:() over greed and politics. But today I realize that I am just as much apart of the "Want and Gain" material world. It's natural to want to "WIN BIG" and have Power and Control no matter how big or small in our lives. Control is the #1 obesession of the human condition. Life and the world are an industry. Oh sure many would say that that kind of thinking is insensitive to life's precious gifts of Love and Joy. But I am not that cold. I am just saying that when we want Heat in a freezing winter,or hot water for a shower, or gas to drive out cars, that takes fuel and fuel cost money and we all demand it.  Who doesn't want to be wealthy and in control of our lives? Hell I do!

I like to think of each World ,Country, State or City, goverment as an individual person. What is thier goal? To Produce and Profit of course. The reason for this is to take care of it's people they govern. Just like we want to take care of our loved ones. That is supposed to be the foundation for an honest goverment.


Now greed...thats another story. Greed is what it is. Compulsive,Obsessive Want  and gain at any cost.

Adicction is the same as Greed except that the motive isn't as much POWER as it is CONTROL, and one CAN'T STOP. If you win, you gain security and elation from winning but that moment is fleeting and soon after the desire is to WIN BIGGER AND MORE! I always say when I Hit Big that I will stop and cash in and never do !  ::) ::) ::)

The bottom line for me is. I have all the basic needs in my life and live well.I am hardly rich, but hardly poor. I have heat and clean shelter, a decent car, a loving family, my bills are paid,I have an ice box full of food,I am very healthy. THANK GOD! So after all this whatever I "Spend" must be leftover from what I need and already have.

An Attitude of Gratitude for the daily blessings in my life!

Now with all that said, PLEASE LET ME HIT THE BIG ONE!!!!!   God I Love General Chat!

Hey Lips! Yes I love to debate and run my mouth> I like to get those opinionated rambling thoughts out of my head!

The reason I say addiction is control is because of the compulsive drive to stay ahead or get on top of a situation regardless if it be a bet or a debt.

Trying to obsessivly control an "Outcome" of a situational circumstance at any cost cost regardless of the circumstances is a desperate means of control! i.e. To Control The Outcome Or Circumstance.

Greed....is "Power" also to have control but usually greed is a more selfish lack of conscience ~vs~ the desperate actions of the addict. Power mongers choose to control ones own life circumstances and that of others as well including thier surroundings. This arose as a quotation by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

The addict is not neccessarily a bad person as is he/she has a bad behavioral habitual characteristic or simply a bad uncontrolable habit. A psychological need that is out of control. Hence OUT OF CONTROL ~vs~ the driven need for CONTROL.

I really do love debate Lips...but the other kids always hate me for it! I will say this. In debate thier are no winners until the decision by the judges choose one or the other debators because all parties have valid objective  and proven input or reasonable opinionated thought.

I may seem smart in social and behavioral topics but I assure I have remedial math skills. Its a Brain Thang! Some people can build engines and cant cook,some have exceptional math skills and can't communicate well, and I am no different. Debate and social/behavioral sciences just happen to be up my tree! So please Lips, and LCB memebers do not confuse me with an arrogant smart ass. I just love a good challenging debate topic. If I were so smart I would have a college degree and be making some bucks both of which I am not ,so I beez a laid back dude like everybody else!

Now Im going to check out some of those other debate topics! xxxxx ooooo

Sorry,got my post confused

LIPS>>>>> I think the problem with our country is we have no choice but to have credit card debt. Want to buy a house? Ya better have a credit card. Want to buy a new car? Ya better have a credit card. Want to rent a movie........reserve a hotel room.....rent a car....... Ya better have a credit card.

We are conditioned to believe that the only way to survive is to have credit card debt. I know when i paid off my credit card debt i was adviced to keep charging!! Why? To keep a credit history. Without a credit history your a good as dead in the water as far as making a major purchase.

This is why we are in the condition we are in. The government shoves down our throats to charge charge charge!! We are not given a choice......where is the freedom in that?<<<<<<<

Well there simply is no freedom in debt. They leave that up to the individual. Unfortunately the system is set up in a way that Money Management" is a vigorous and diligent endeavour. Even a skill if you will! There are those frugal people who can meet there basic needs and save money and not max out there credit cards. but the majority of people do not fall in that category in my opinion.

What I would like to know is this and I would appreciate any feedback. "Why do the credit card companies offer,offer,offer to so many who will most probably accumulate great debt?" How do they profit by being unable to collect on so much debt?

About the future of CREDIT ~vs ~ MONEY. eventually very soon in fact. Money will all be but obsolete in most of the world. Credit cards will not only hold you Credit but also your drivers licence, and all your personal history on one card. How convenient! Yes it's the ole Big Brother is watching theory. INFORMATION is the most valuable resource in the world and COMMUNICATION is the fastest growing technology. He/She who holds the information has the control and the power.

Huff Huff Pant Pant! Now on to the next topic!!

LIPS and MARIANN>>>>>I agree the era of mom staying home while dad brought home the bacon is over. One of my favorite eras has to be the 50's when living that part of the American dream was alive and well.

We have become so materialistic that we have lost sight of the institution of family. What i find interesting mariann, is the need to make reference about working woman "getting on you". It says it all. In today's society if a woman does not have a career and chooses to be a stay home mom she is considered to lack ambition.

I have often said i wish i was in the era of the 50's when women proudly wore their apron and baked a hot apple pie. Took care of children and held the family together.

How sad it is, those days are gone. Our roles as women have changed. I don't think we really had a choice. Keeping up with social and economical society we now live in makes it almost impossible for the middle class family.<<<<<

well post WW2 generated alot of patriotism and economical growth. When the GI's came how from the war they got a small new home to start their families which increased pride and patriotism even more. The economy was stable and the stay at home Mom took care of the tender fragile growing years when a child is absorbing everything. The Mom providing everything for child development that he or she could use at that time. Morals, Values, Integrity, Discipline, Structure. Don't get me wrong Dad was a big part as well providing Food and Shelter and discipline and structured teachings of his own.

However it was the constant presence of the MOM that providing most of the guidelines for human development.  Gay or straight I believe it takes 2 to raise a child. 2 moms or 2 dads giving love,tolerance,advice,safety,trust. Even if the Mom works and the Dad stays at home it's good and I believe necessary for healthy development.

There you go a topic Lip's "The stay at home Dad?"

huff Huff I am trying to keep up with all the topics huff huff pant.

wmmeden...Thanks I love my country too and appreciate all veterans from all wars that sacrificed thier lives and freedom for mine!

Debate #2

LIPS>>>>> To Swing or not to Swing that is the question.

There are couples who are married and very happy. There is just one twist to their relationship that is not main stream in society. They are swingers. These couples believe that it strengthens their marriage. Sexual activity should not be limited or deprived to just one partner. It's a natural act of enjoyment. This does not change the love the married couple has for each other. It is always done with the consent of their partner and knowledge.

There are married couples who believe that monogamy is what marriage is. Being faithful to just one person is the true expression of love. It is against religion and vows taken to have multiple partners.

Sexual desire is a natural part of life. Should we not be allowed to act upon our desires? Has becoming civilized in today's culture deprived us? Is having one partner showing the greatest expression of love?<<<<<<


LETS TALK ABOUT SEX BABY! LETS TALK ABOUT YOU AND ME! LETS TALK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD THINGS AND THE BAD THINGS THAT CAN BE! (salt and pepa)

Well it seems "Mutual Consent" are the Key Words for this topic. Their are many successful marriages and relationships that swing and their are many monogamous relationships and marriages that have a strong foundation. And their are many many relationships and marriages that think they have a monogamous relationship or marriage but someone cheating. Hello Tiger! That was bad ..I'm sorry. But I say if you can manage swinging without any emotional jealousy go for it. However many people believe that that is not moral or spiritual.

But lets talk about modern day swinging and HIV, Hep C and other sexually Transmitted diseases. (another topic Lips?) God topics are endless!

One must really be educated on STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) because No Sex is Safe Sex 100%! There are still bodily fluids and other means and way's of contracting STD's. Condemns are not a full and complete guarantee. See Center For Desease Control and Prevention  http://www.cdc.gov/

So...do you want to bring home the gift that keeps on giving? That's a risk and that's not my opinion that's a fact!

So mutual consent and complete understanding is the ticket. I know many relationships that tried swinging and one got jealous of the other.I think their is a smaller percentage of successful swingers than monogamous relationships and marriages. .

huff huff pant pant I think I'm caught up on the topics now ! uggghhhh!!! hooo!

Debate #3

LIPS>>>> What happened to Freedom of Speech?

Bill/amendment #1.

Congress shall make no law respecting an Establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Exactly what is Freedom of Speech? Should we be allowed to voice our opinions no matter who we may or may not offend. Many times we have asked ourselves....what happened to freedom of speech when someone loses their jobs, or they become tainted by news media for speaking their minds.

Maybe there should be more limitations on what we say. Is it right to unjustly attack a group, person, religious beliefs and political opinions? 

We may not be allowed to slander a persons religious beliefs or ethic background but its OK for example to call someone over weight ugly and cruel names and that goes unnoticed and is accepted.

Do you believe that being denied to voice our opinions only stifles any resolution to problems in our world today? Who decides what is considered appropriate opinion to inappropriate opinions?<<<<<<<<

Ah CENSORSHIP! Bottom line here for me is this...."Is It Harmful To You Or To Others?"
Freedom of Speech and Expression are a privilege like all Rights are in this country. But if I want to say F--k Y-u in front of children or nuns I might want to reconsider my rights. Is what I say harmful to someone else? Should I say it anyway? Whether it is or not? Would I speak that way in front of my mother? Just because I have the right to say something doesn't necessarily mean I should. Majority Rules! This is a Democratic Society whether you believe that or not....if saying F--K Y--u is forbidden in some areas and has to be censored then that is the majority rule.

i.e. If you want to have sex with animals they have websites, groups and clubs that cater to your needs but I don't think you can do it in public! Your business is your business as long as it is legalized by majority rule. Socially Acceptable or not doesn't make a thing illegal or not illegal but laws do. By The Way..is Bestiality legal? Ewwwwwww! Gag cough cough!
Boy do I get way off topic or what?

Many of us choose to have debt.....including me!  But, many people of all income brackets live successfully without debt.

talking about general discussions here are introducing body scanners
in the airports  so if i need xrays or a "screening" checkup 
i need only to get a plane !

My daughter has a multi-million dollar lawsuit pending right now with a very well known fast food establishment for sexual harrasment.
It is multi-million because not only her but her and 7 others, and also at the time she was only 15, she also worked for the establishment for 3 years. She did go through all channels, the thing that was is the harrasser, was the general manager, she has proof, he stalked her on her myspace, left messages on her cell, ask her to do out of the ordinary things like if you go here or there for me i'll make sure your position with us "moves up", also telling her that the only reason she was hired was he "wanted" a certain "something" from her. He did ask "favors" she refused and tried to brush it off as joking, but he was serious and she didn't like it and was very uncomfortable. Its kind of a long story of how she ended up caught up in this realm of evils, it was her first job and at first she was afraid to tell anyone. Alot of words were said behind her back, which hurt her feelings and also she was getting a reputation for things she never did.
She was transferred out of his jurisdiction, but as rumors fly she was harressed by others as well as being labeled the "blank blank slut", and when she tried to complain about that was told, that is the name she deserved. She never attended to any of his advances and at first tried to just brush it all off, trying to keep her job and having respect even though she never did a thing except her job.
She loved her job and tried very hard to keep it, but she ended up having with her heart saddened to resign her position, one she did work hard at.
When she left he was still working for the establishment. My point of saying that is it takes alot to really bring forth these charges, not many will beleive you unless she provide proof, which she has along with the others, but to think if she didn't have any proof other then her word.. would she of been beleived?

Recently she attended a meeting of the lawyers, its kind of like an interview where the other lawyers get to ask her questions, with her own lawyer present, one of the questions asked to her was "how many sexual partners have you had in the past 3 years?" the question was asked because of the name she was given, "blank blank slut" as though they had a "right" to name her that, her lawyer quickly slammed his hand down on the table and said.. "you do not have to answer that, no where and at no time or place of employment are you ever or any employee or employer are to label another employee a slut" alot of other personal questions were asked as if they were trying to justify it all..

I feel so badly for her that she had to endure this, when i found out i was furious, and i cried my heart out for her.

Right now she is doing good, and im happy for the lawsuit and that she was smart enough to save all transcripts and interactions with this man, she told me she just had a feeling things weren't right from the beginning that being started with so called "innocent jokes" so she saved everything.

I think in this instance (Lips) there should be a time frame from which the accused harasser and the so called victim are under investigation say a week or two probation period.After that period expires the incident should all be resolved and making room for a second incident to arise. In the event the second incident does arises both parties should be under investigation. Again another warning and probation period. Upon the third incident theres should be enough evidence to determine who or what is the cause. It doesn't seem any different than watching two bickering sibling children  blaming one another and by time and observation getting to the bottom of whom is doing what to whom and what is what? Sometimes the disciplines need to be equally distributed. And sometimes one person is the cause for all the problems

Now with sexual harassment that is another story. No one should have to endure sexual harassment for any period of time. However it does help to have evidence and proof of the incident. The reason one must be ready to present hard evidence is because even the presumed sexually harassed person can abuse the accusations.

#1. Would I abuse my powers by falsely accusing a person of harassment for my own personal gain. How many innocent people are there in prison for being accused of child molestation simply because the spouse wanted revenge? How many people have lost custody of their children for being falsely accused of neglect or abuse simply because the accuser wanted revenge?

#2 If I am a voluptuous woman and chose to dress where it enhances my body does that give you a Right to address me in a sexual manner? No it does not> Nor does it give you the right to call me a slut. Nor does it give you the right to rape me and saying that I asked for it by the way I dressed.

Wow Lips another great topic! I could go on and on.

As for Imagination's daughter goes. Good for Her! The fact is your daughter needs respect and peace of mind that this man can't get away with anything he wants! I hope because of this lawsuit she can rest her mind better. better to take action than to do nothing at all in a case like this.

There are many cases where it is better to do nothing at all...but this isn't one of them.

Hi Clay..
I really haven't met you yet. Not responding to all your debates...you have so much to say, and I only have a half hour lunch  !!!

Just wanted to say hi, and glad you are here with us, it's nice to have someone more opinionated than me around 

  Nal 

Thank you nalgenie..glad to be here..everyone is so nice here.I just have one of those racing manic minds and love to get it out of my head .I do love chat,talk and debate!

yeah, work needs to be run like a tight ship.

"Every person has the right to a workplace that is fair and equitable and in which he or she is treated with respect and dignity. There Is positive pros in practicing zero tolerance. It protects the worker from bullies, violence and unprofessinal behavior or disruptive behavior."

Not only was her dignity and respect violated, she was bullied and tormented with and because of horrible gossip, pushed around as though she had no place there. New employess getting the untrue "scoop" made it continue.
If Zero Tolerance was in effect, maybe she would of had some sort of protection but at the same time 3/4 of the establisment would be without employees, so i think Zero Tolerance isn't the answer or maybe even the right thing to do.

i so no to ZERO Tolerance...people need to have the freedom to be rude and crude from time to time. I say yes to Aggressive Tolerance...people can not be rude and crude every second of every day...that's harassment

Years ago, I served a couple of times as a professional witness regarding "insanity defense." 

Bottom line: to REALLY be in a state where you don't know what you are doing is very, very rare.  I does happen, but it is RARE.

Nobody is above the law. Taking matters into ones hands is not the solution or having to fall under temporary insanity. There are provisions under the law that permits persons to act accordingly. One of those is self defense.  Always make it appear you are under threat, life or death, then you can finish it. Go home and play online gambling after that.

Hi LCB’ers! :)

Remember a blast from the past feeling? A surprising sensation of something or someone you almost forgot about appearing in front of your eyes?

It’s such an exciting juncture in time. There are experiences worth remaking, fires which merit rekindling, books worthy of rereading, movies deserving of sequels. And then, there are others which should be left where they are.

Well, bringing The Great Weekly New Debate back as one reinvigorating blast was no brainer.

Thus…

It is such a pleasure to restart this post almost eleven years after Lipstick, our Chief Content Officer, initially envisioned it.

The concept remains the same as it was back in 2010: Let’s Talk.

The idea is to discuss general topics that shape our contemporary lives. The intent is to exchange opinions and personal views or beliefs which may or may not necessarily be based on facts, knowledge, or experience. The goal is to use such an opportunity to grow together and have fun.

As a moderator of these debates, I feel so excited and grateful to join you on this journey!

Methinks we have an extraordinary level of intelligent individuals in our community and among our employees. Thus, I cannot wait to learn more from you and spend some time reading your thoughtful argumentations, and I am so looking forward to seeing us as giants standing on our shoulders!

Before we throw in the new debate, let’s just quickly walk through two important segments.

Rules of Engagement

The framework to guide replies is simple. There are only a few checkboxes to click on and a couple of bon ton etiquettes to buy-in so we can have a healthy and fecund debate:

• We all have different points of view, but we embrace diversity;
• We don’t have to prove others wrong to prove ourselves right;
• We listen as nicely as we hear, we perceive as well as we read;
• We cherish understanding, compassion, and well-articulated arguments;
• We don’t practice ad hominem attacks, nor do we accept insults.

In other words…

We agree when we disagree, as we want to have a super-positive and ultra-constructive exchange.

Topic’s Overview

You probably might find it useful to revisit previous pages of this post and get up to speed with topics discussed thus far, which may give you insight and hints about those to follow.

In future weekly editions, we intend to delve into the global economy, freedom of speech, media, morality, responsibility, equality, inclusivity, the future workplace, artificial intelligence, overpopulation, nanotechnology, and other intriguing topics.

We’ll also debate self-improvement in gambling, essential principles we nurture as prudent players, our role models, events that shaped your views on casinos, different opinions on luck, and other exciting, even provocative topics.

Finally, if you feel there’s a subject of particular interest and significance, please PM me, and we’ll see to add it to the cue.

One way or the other — prepare your five cents. :)

And with that, we give you the very next debate.

--Dejan

Debate #6

Is There a Climate Change? If So, What To Do About It?

Changes in the average weather conditions in terms of temperature rise, rainfall, rising sea levels, shrinking of glaciers, ice melting, and plant blooming seasons have been scientifically observed since the 1970s, when the term ‘climate change’ begun to pop-up in media and political agendas.

Forty years later…

Driven by extensive human progress, technology developments, and consumer societies’ rise, global warming’s causes and effects become prominent topics in our lives. Discussions include greenhouse gases, heat stress, deforestation, poor air quality, diseases transmitted by insects and rodents, interference with the climate system, and many others.

Compounded by extreme weather conditions, wildfires, and annual global temperature rise, climate change mitigation — reduction of effects — has been labeled by reputable scientific institutions as paramount to human survival.

Influential activists looking to raise awareness and conceive possible solutions include the likes of President Obama, Pope Francis, Bill Nye, Bill Gates, Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Greta Thunberg, late Dr. Charles Keeling, James Hansen, Dr. Jason Box, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Jamie Henn, Naomi Klein, Dr. Syukuro Manabe, Bill McKibben, Dr. Jean Robert Petit, Gavin Schmidt, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

On the other hand…

We see numerous organizations and individuals who deny climate changes or strive to minimize ensuing effects and risks.

They argue there’s no proven correlation between climate change causes and human activities. Furthermore, they note that suggested mitigation efforts may cause significant social upheaval and disturbance of national economies.

To a greater or lesser extent, they oppose heat-trapping of greenhouse gasses, reducing the burning of fossil fuels used for electricity, heat, and transportation, as well as enhancements of the ‘sinks’ to accumulate and store gases or advanced applications of renewable energy, among other initiatives.

The lineup of the most prominent skeptics and deniers is equally impressive as their counterparts: Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), Marc Morano, Chris Horner, Myron Ebell, Steve Milloy, Patrick Michaels, Viscount Matthew Ridley, Fred Singer, Dr. Roy Spencer, Professor Ian Plimer, Lord Christopher Monckton, Lord Nigel Lawson.

These two tribes face-off often.

The fracking topics and the Green New Deal played a prominent role in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. Thunberg’s speech at the UN in 2019 garnered tens of millions of cumulative views on YouTube. It’s almost impossible to sift through media without running into articles about this topic.

To compound the whole challenge…

All baby boomers’ world leaders and Generation X decision-makers who can influence global mitigation efforts won’t face potentially devastating climate change effects.

They will have long been gone by the time millennials and Gen-Z cohorts face what seems to be a rather heavy, scientifically projected sledgehammer: Increased heat, droughts, insect outbreaks, declining water supplies, reduced agricultural yields, jeopardized food supply, flooding, erosion in coastal areas, and myriad health impacts, not to mention disturbances in the economy and social life.

Such a setup may resemble "Après Moi, le déluge," a downcast expression attributed to Louis XV, exploited by Dostoevsky to point out selfishness and apathy. It also creates an additional strain in finding the proper solutions spanning different generations’ needs and contrasting goals.

So…

Is there a climate change or not? Are we talking about strange coincidences in the behavior of nature, or we observe genuine threats? If we face the latter, what can we do about it? If there are indeed such perils on the horizon, do we have the right to remain blithely unaware of potential existential challenges our posterity may face?

Are we gambling our future in a game with a super-high house edge and spectacularly low RTP, or we play this one responsibly and prudently, in line with Earth’s Terms & Conditions?

What do you think?

Looking forward to your opinions, LCB’ers, so bring them on!

--Dejan

Hi Dejan,

Love debates and thanks for bringing it back! Climate change, well that is quite a topic for debate. In my humble opinion there should be no debate. The proof is in the pudding and we are seeing the climate changes before our eyes.

Not  sure how anyone can deny these changes have taken place. Just this week our temps in Chicago are in the mid 70s range (167). That's insane! Polar bears are standing on ice that barely supports the circumference of their size. 

We have ignored this way too long. I remember years ago Al Gore (president nominee in US) did a special report about climate change and global warming and what would happen to mother earth if we did not act quickly. Ahhh and his predictions today are ringing true. And what did we do? Nada, zero!

One thing that I found to be quite interesting is during quarantine...

When less aircraft, vehicles were on the streets there was a slight break in the quality of our air, although experts claim it would take 30 years to bring it back where it once was. 

Its going to take a world commitment to change it, because time is running out. 

I fully agree with Lips, there really shouldn't be any debate about this. Climate change is real, the facts are there, and it's the science that should influence politics, not the other way around. 

It's both funny and sad to see some politicians trying to force their backward views upon the world when scientists tell a whole different story, based on hard, cold facts. 

Hi Lips & Johnny, 

Thank you for your opinions and participation. :) 

I couldn’t agree more with you two. We shouldn’t be even having this conversation, yet here we are. It seems denial and fear of change run equally deep in our species just as hope and ingenuity do, and, somehow, throughout time, we’ve developed a selective approach to accepting well-proven scientific facts. 

At the bottom line, I believe the issue boils down to the economy. And that’s where things get intriguing. 

According to the World Economic Forum, our advances in technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution well underway makes these ten skills the paramount ones by 2025: 

1. Analytical thinking and innovation 
2. Active learning and learning strategies
3. Complex problem-solving
4. Critical thinking and analysis
5. Creativity, originality, and initiative
6. Leadership and social influence
7. Technology use, monitoring, and control
8. Technology design and programming
9. Resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility
10. Reasoning, problem-solving, and ideation

(Heck, they could have asked any responsible gambler, and he or she would give them the very same answer!) 

Yet again, we don’t consider, at least not on a global scale, to use the technology driving such changes and utilize it for reskilling and upskilling of heavy industries’ blue-collar workers who’d bear the heaviest brunt of transfer to renewable energies. 

(Arguing that green deals may lead toward mass unemployment and growing inequality, the politicians are, at least to a certain extent, creating ones by not acting. And the clock is ticking. Ridiculous. And that's without even delving into devastating effects we, as the ultimate apex predators, cause to the animals and their natural habitats.)

Consequently...

All we can do is give our individual contributions to carbon footprint reduction. It won’t change much, but at least we get to be the change we want to see. 

All right. Stay tuned for the next debate. 

LCB’ers — if you missed this one, please feel free to share your thoughts whenever you feel like it. Time-frame is irrelevant; what matters are your views and our opportunity to interact even more. 

--Dejan

Debate #7
Are We Ready For Artificial Intelligence?

AI is the pinnacle of all human inventions, creations, and technological breakthroughs thus far. We've merely scratched its surface: Each revolutionary AI application today is only a sliver of the full scope of this unexplored field. 

Numerous industries are either utilizing artificial intelligence or getting ready to follow suit. 

AI's impact on the transportation industry is probably the most striking example: Tesla, Waymo, Uber, Lyft, GM Cruise, and Argo AI (Ford & Volkswagen) continuously push boundaries. 

We can find AI deployed in manufacturing, education, banking and finance, communication, entertainment, information technologies, healthcare, governmental institutions, criminal justice, sports, aerospace, military, security services, human resources, customer relations (chatbots), and even sports. 

(Gambling is no exception. In one of our next editorials, we delve into a detailed analysis of this particular subject. A quick preview: Artificial intelligence used by casinos is beneficial in suppressing problematic gamblers and can analyze players' behavior; plus, learning-based AI is better in bluffing than professional players.)

Rationales to utilize AI are aplenty: Automatisation, increased productivity and operational efficiency, predictive insights, improved decision-making, increased revenues, avoidance of 'human error' effects. The list goes on. 

AI categorizations vary depending on criteria, ranging from three general up to seven different types. 

On the whole, considering current entrepreneurial and business views, we might assume artificial intelligence will continue to play not only a prominent but perhaps the paramount role in our future, regardless of its type. 

However…

Such rapid growth and powerful capabilities have made people unsettled, even troubled by potentials — sometimes described as inevitable proximity — of AI takeover, leading to fearful contemplations about machines able to emulate human-like capabilities. 

Questions about the workplace's future and the voluminosity of jobs available to the human workforce continue to mount up. Some wonder whether AI impacts may conceal significant disruptions to follow.

Then, there's the whole Terminator legacy, deeply ingrained in our psyche, further coloring the way we grasp the AI theme. (Thank you, James Cameron!)

The most prominent AI advocates counterargument these notions by underscoring AI is not yet self-aware and cannot understand the context. They underline its operational limits by using insufficient historical data to learn and tight restrictions to set framework parameters. They emphasize AI is unlikely to unseat humans and point out myriad, undoubtedly useful applications. 

So…

Are we truly ready for AI as individuals and society? Can we foresee all-important AI angles observing the tip of its iceberg, or perhaps we're looking into the thin edge of the wedge? Can we instill the correct criteria of 'thinking' and 'feeling' into computer code when we still, on occasions, face challenges of choosing the essential values to govern our planet, countries, and lives? 

Or, we're good to hit the pedal to the metal through further AI endeavors and enjoy the fruits of our ingenuity, as we did throughout our history? 

What do you think, LCB'ers? 

--Dejan

Hi Dejan,

I must say, an interesting debate topic!

We all use AI every day. The ability for computers to think at a human level and beyond, is happening now. Google Assistant and Siri are obvious examples of cutting-edge artificial intelligence. When you see music recommendations on Spotify and film suggestions on Netflix, there is a highly complex computer algorithm behind that, to predict what you want to buy, perhaps before you even know yourself.

AI could be the most dangerous thing we ever create and our greatest ever existential threat. In gambling, by analyzing player data for problematic behavior, AI can spot suspicious players so that online operators may increasingly use AI to identify high-risk gamblers.

Welcome to the world of tomorrow. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of what can be achieved in technology...

I think we are pretty much ready for the frightening but fascinating products of our inventiveness...

Hi Bixy, 

Thank you for your opinion and participation. :)

I agree with you. Indeed, artificial intelligence has arrived, and we have to be ready, like it or not. 

I do, however, feel somewhat concerned regarding general priorities in our approach. Namely, sometimes I think we could firstly address perhaps more pressing issues — like the global economy, racial inequality, gender pay gap, climate change, and such — before we give birth to new intelligence. That way, I believe, we would probably make stronger foundations for our technological advances, which I firmly support and enjoy in, and maybe even allow ourselves to use better the significant financial resources allocated to AI development. 

(I often ponder what such funds could mean in, say, creating sustainable energy devices across various countries or in cultivating Africa's land into husbandry gushers?)

Also, there is this interesting quote from Haruki Murakami: "Each of us possesses a tangible living soul. The system has no such thing. We must not allow the system to exploit us."

Then again…

Who knows, maybe AI will help us overcome our contemporary challenges. Now, that would be something, right? :)

Okay. Let's unroll the next debate. 

As usual — LCB'ers, please feel free to throw in your thoughts whenever you feel like it, regardless of timing and all. 

--Dejan 

Debate #8
Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?

For our number eight, we tried to choose the topic infinite throughout human history just as the infinity symbol is. Besides, considering the latest news on Covid-19 vaccines, opinions on this one might as well transpire into mandatory vaccination debates, which already take shape around the world.

So…

Does a woman have every right to choose what she'll do with her body or not? Is it okay for her to decide when and whether to have a child or not? If a woman and her partner disagree on this, who has the final call? Can abortion be the solution for unplanned or unintended pregnancies? 

Pro-life persons advocate against abortion under any circumstance. Their arguments appeal to the fetus' right to live, deeming abortion morally unacceptable. Prominent Christian ministers and celebrities regularly proclaim the unborn child has a God-given right to live and consider abortion the sinful destruction of God's creation. According to Qur'an, the fetus become a living soul after 120 days; thus, abortion beyond that point in time is considered impermissible, although various thinkers differ on the exact stage of fetal development beyond which abortion becomes forbidden. 

Indeed, one might argue — who has the right to make such a call? 

On the other hand…

Pro-choice individuals advocate the mother's right to bodily autonomy, period. They also cite cases when the woman's life is at risk in continuing pregnancy, not to mention pregnancies caused by rape or incest. Then, some people simply don't want kids or are aware they cannot correctly sustain a child once it's born. 

All of them consider the abortion decision well within their rights. 

Of course, these more sophisticated versions of pro-choice argumentation bring different weighing claims into the picture. Thus, a moderate pro-life position allows exceptions in cases of risks to the mother's life, rape, and incest, but still considers abortion morally forbidden. Hard-core pro-lifers reject even these qualifiers. 

Then, there's the scientific peculiarity of pregnancy definition: Does it begins with the fertilization of the egg or once the implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterus is complete?

Notwithstanding an extremely challenging experience for any woman to go through abortion — they may feel devastated no matter the reasons — both sides of the aisle call upon moral, personal, practical, religious, even political beliefs as the most decisive criteria. 

World statistics are amazingly close unless we apply weighing exceptions. Then, analytics paint a different picture. 

For instance, according to a Gallup poll, opinions in America are almost on even keel when considered in general terms: 48 percent are pro-choice, 46 percent are pro-life. However, in the case of pregnancy caused by rape, nearly 75 percent of Americans consider abortion permissible. 

(The abortion debate in the United States is of particular public interest considering the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. Therein, the SCOTUS ruled a woman's right to choose abortion to be protected by the Constitution.)

Obviously, the answer may not be black-and-white. 

However, the question remains: Do you believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances or legal only under certain circumstances or entirely illegal?

What's your take, LCB'ers?

--Dejan

Declaring abortions entirely illegal is definitely wrong, and I'm telling you this because my country, Romania, went through this in the 1970s and 1980s and the consequences were devastating. You can get a feeling of what happened by watching this movie, if you haven't already. In just a few words, what happened was that thousands of women decided to go through illegal abortions in makeshift clinics, private apartments or even hotel rooms, and several of those cases ended quite badly. 

There's also a documentary on this topic, and it's available to watch for free on YouTube. The film is called "Children of the Decree" and it explores the plight of Romanian women following the infamous Decree 770, which banned birth control and abortion. 

However, governments definitely have the responsability of making effective sexual education available for teenagers in particular, because that's where most unplanned pregnancies can occur. Going through an abortion is not easy at all for a woman, it's one of the toughest decisions that one cound face in life. But that is why I think she should have the right to decide.

Banning abortions is not the solution, but leaving everything to chance is not the way either. 

I think women should have the choice to terminate an unwanted pregnancy up to a set amount of weeks. I don't agree with abortion but I think making it illegal is not the way forward.  If it was made illegal, as Johnny says, all the "chop shops" carrying out illegal abortions would surface. 

Hi Johnny, blueday,

Thank you for your thoughtful comments and participation. :)

I couldn’t agree more with you two, as I’m an entirely pro-choice person. A woman should have the right to make her choice in any conceivable scenario, and her opinion should be the final one whenever she and her partner cannot reach a consensus in such a decision.

Also, I fully agree with both of you about legality: Abortion should not be illegal since such a setup only drives the whole issue out of the scope of a well-regulated environment. Not only can it be hazardous to the health of women, but it most certainly opens Pandora’s box in so many ways.

Although I’m a Christian, the time-frame set in Qur’an — 120 days — seems right to me as a period to conduct abortion. I believe four months should be enough to evaluate all aspects of such a decision, even though it’s one of the most difficult ones to make.

I agree with Johnny’s remark regarding governments’ responsibility in establishing effective sexual education, targeting both parents and kids. We should focus much more on that: Abortion is about handling the consequence, but we should tackle the cause.

Finally, I would venture to debate that only by being pro-choice one may genuinely be pro-life.

If we are to cherish and celebrate life as God’s or Darwin's given gift and blessings in all of its happiness and sorrows, we have to be able to make the choices. Only by making choices, including inevitably wrong ones, can we truly live. But, if we exclude free will from the equation — even though it sometimes comes with heavy-handed consequences — life becomes something else.

Very well. Onto the next one.

LCB’ers, if you find yourself sifting through our forum in the middle of the night and come across this one, throw in your five cents whenever you feel like it!

--Dejan

Debate #9
Top-5 Essential Principles of Responsible Gamblers

With this one, we strive to bring the gambling subject onto the debate stage and to juice up the whole experience with players' oriented topic.

What are the top five principles you stick to in being a responsible punter?

What are fundamental propositions of your prudent playing system you will not compromise under any circumstances? What are your reasoning keystones, like sentences or rules you unyieldingly obey even when you don't feel like it?

For instance, when some people face challenges they don't know how to handle correctly, they read religious scriptures. Others seek advice in psychology or philosophy. There are those who look for inspiration in classic literature. Some consult reputable online resources, and some seek advice from experts. Proverbs also do the trick. 

Essentially…

All of us pursue the argument more grounded than our personal opinion or experience. We look for timeless 'commandments' far beyond our existence. Even if we may not like them, we cannot overturn their authority. And, when we find those we deem right by consequences they deliver, we stick to them better than Super Glue ever will.

Each profession in our world, without exception, has such unbreakable rules. 

We may build our house using myriad stones, but we select cornerstones with particular attention because they determine the entire structure.

Gambling history is vibrant with chances to learn from other players' choices to guide us. Examples of great principles and best practices are aplenty. With the advent of the internet, all of them are at our fingertips: We're free to combine the way we prefer.

So...

If we responsibly set stop-win or stop-loss limit at a certain amount of money — in line with our budget limitations, skills, and volatility of the game we play — we don't extend any given session beyond those restrictions. Even if the game is hot as hell, we don't go above the stop-win boundary, quite aware that we might perhaps earn some extra money if we do so.

Why? Because such a limit represents an unbreakable rule.

With such a context in mind…

What are the Top-5 essential principles guiding your responsible gambling, LCB'ers?

If you don't have five, a couple will do as well. :)

--Dejan

Responsible gambling is easy to say but hard to actually do.  I've frittered away thousands over the years and the one thing that will certainly help you to be a responsible gambler, is lack of cash! 

Maxed out credit cards you can't afford to pay, a bank account that is permanently in the red and insufficient cash to pay all your bills each month is a dire position to be in and one that is hard to get out of. Making some rules is a must and sticking to them is the hardest thing you'll do when it involves gambling.

One rule I learned was to hit that withdraw button and NOT to reverse it.  Once I did that, it totally changed my way of thinking about gambling.  I was happy to see my winnings in my account and I was so glad I clicked that withdraw button.

So - rule 1 for me is "withdraw if you are winning at least 3 or 4 times your deposit"

My 2nd rule (and these are in no particular order) is keep the deposits small.  Basically, only deposit what you can afford to lose and a sum that you won't worry about if you do lose it.

My rule 3 - currency options.  If I get more "dollars" in another currency, I choose to deposit in that currency.  I always deposit in USD if I have a choice.  It's a psychological thing for me.  Doesn't matter what the currency is when gambling but as long as I have a decent amount to start with, I'm happy. 

My rule 4 - don't chase losses.  It won't work, I won't win what I already lost, I'll just lose more.

My rule 5 - never reverse your withdrawal....or even part of it!  You'll end up with nothing to withdraw.

My final rule...rule 6, make sure you enjoy your gambling.  Be honest about it with your family and friends - no secret gambling.  If you're open and honest, you will have a better chance of not becoming addicted as family help is there for you "on tap".

Hi, blueday,

Thank you for your participation. :) 

What a thoughtful and prudent set of responsible rules you have! Admittingly, I've learned a few and won't shy away not only from using them but attributing @blueday copyright in further shares. :)

My similar set of non-negotiable principles used in backgammon and blackjack include the following notions -- notwithstanding the 'usual suspects' bellow -- written in no particular order. 

#1 Play only on your good days. Don't test skills and luck when your chips are even slightly down or you're distracted by anything. Instead, be in the best possible mindset when you approach a game. Equally so, rest well and eat before each session: Gambling is a demanding activity that consumes a lot of energy, both intellectual and physical. 

#2 If you consume alcohol, drink something light. It's more about hydration than anything else. I usually don't drink booze while I play, but if I do, it is often coke and whiskey mixed. The same goes for music: It always raises my endorphin levels. Thus I avoid it during games whenever possible. 

#3 End your session while you're winning. This one took me quite some time to learn and cost me a lot of money. Funny thing, though: In retrospect, my intuition always told me when to quit, but for whatever reason, I rarely listened. Once I learned how to recognize the situation and better listen to myself, I found this very helpful. Also: If I'm off the table, I'm off the table no matter how enticing or stimulating other players or the dealer may be in their effort to get me back. 

#4 Don't experiment with new moves in the money-game. That's what training is there for, with no money involved. But in budget-based games, I use only well-tested tactics. The same goes for strategy: Don't deviate from a well-proven one. Whatever happens, no matter the situation, stay in line, for luck can be cunning. 

#5 If you lose a lot, make a gap before the next game. Some players dismantled me in backgammon, and while I was younger, I was so eager to get back to them. Huge mistake. Once I began to implement enforced gaps between games, I realized my outcomes improved immensely. Plus, in doing so, I gave myself a chance to cool off.

#6 Whatever happens, stay positive, laugh a lot. If I don't have fun, it's all for naught. If I feel I'm getting nervous or aggravated, that's it; I'm calling the day. I remained in a couple of games despite knowing this, and they indeed turned out bad for me. 

#7 Never stop learning. There's always something new to find out; there's still something I missed or someone else's experience worth noting. This one goes way beyond gambling, but games are perfect though sometimes harsh teachers.  

Other then these, I would most certainly underline all other 'usual suspects' in general rules one should never deviate from:

• Playing only in reputable hubs;
• Doing due diligence thoroughly;
• Gambling in line with national regulations in your country;
• Staying well within limits of financial abilities;
• Mandatory, pre-determined stop-loss and stop-win limits;
• Having a proper balance (addiction to cigarettes is more than enough for me). 

Very well, then. Let's see the next debate. 

LCB'ers, if you have any other principles you stick to in your gambling, don't hesitate to share them whenever you feel like it. To have the best possible responsible environment while indulging in our favorite pastime is all that it takes. Erm, excluding skills and luck… ;)

--Dejan

Debate #10
Meat or Veggies, What Shall It Be?

There's a scene in The Matrix wherein Cypher, played by Joe Pantoliano, has dinner with Agent Smith, vividly portrayed by Hugo Weaving. Pondering on his predicament, the former says, "Ignorance is bliss," as the viewers witness one of the probably best steaks ever filmed in Hollywood. 

Are people who eat meat perhaps ignorant, at least to a certain extent?

Can vegetables provide us with a plant-based protein substitute? Is the decision to switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet a good one, perhaps even necessary? Or, should we proceed with good old livestock meals as we did for centuries?

To put our proclivity into perspective…

The carnivore diet has been with humans for at least 2.6 million years. The incorporation of meat and marrow represented the first major evolutionary change in our diet. Thus, to eat meat, which I do, is effectively part of our DNA. 

Consequently, the volume of livestock we grow nowadays is staggering. 

According to Global Agriculture, "land dedicated to the production of feed [represents] almost 80% of the total agricultural land."

With the perpetual growth of the human population, meat consumption demands subsequent enlargement of pastures necessary to service livestock, that is, our nom-nom-nom needs.

In conjunction with the required physical space for people to inhabit, these enlargements lead to deforestation and other methods we use to attain more natural areas to ensconce. 

Notwithstanding an impact on other species...

...and the planet's overall balance, a rapid increase in meat consumption also reflects climate change. 

The actual amount of cow farts and burps — colloquially named 'bovine emissions' — accounts for close to twenty percent of global greenhouse emissions. Furthermore, cows emit methane, which is between 25 and 84 times more potent in trapping heat than CO2, depending on the source. 

So, for all of us thinking 'what on Earth my animal proteins diet has to do with anything,' — including myself — the scientific and other estimations, even if we take them all with a substantial pinch of salt, point out a not-so-popular conclusion: A lot. 

Then…

There's progress in our technology and overall awareness, which gave us plenty of innovative ways to prepare food nowadays.

While our ancestors did not have much to choose from other than beef, lambs, or chickens, we do. In fact, vegetarians and vegans have today various products at their disposal to substitute meat-based proteins. 

Finally...

If we challenge our I-must-have-T-bone-for-lunch views from the perspective of energy meat gives us, more than a few ultimate endurance competitors and professional athletes live exclusively off a plant-based diet.

And, you don't get to run for 100 miles or compete in Ironman Triathlon or finish a hockey game without consuming loads of energy, over tens of thousands of calories in some instances. 

(I don't want to delve into details of how slaughterhouses look like and how the whole process ensues. For one thing, it would be hypocrisy since I eat meat. However, upon watching a couple of documentary movies, I have to admit they made a lasting, rather upsetting impression on me.)

So…

Would you consider a plant-based diet?

Should we all at least minimize meat consumption to lower, more appropriate levels? Is the way we treat ourselves with beef sustainable? Could our posterity face significant challenges just because we wanted that burger the other night? Do we, the carnivore gamblers, take all of this responsibly and prudently?

What say you, LCB'ers?

--Dejan

PS. Heck, I really wanted those rib cuts for dinner tonight… :)

Great topic for thinking. I am personally more for a plant-based diet. There are plenty of substitutions for protein, people, just need to put a little bit more effort into educating themselves about it.
I would like to recommend an excellent movie on the subject.