Welcome to Gaia! ::

What do you think are some major issues in the world today? And
why do you think they are? How are some ways that we can possibly fix
them?

What are subjects you are keen on discussing / what are topics you are
interested in?

I'm hoping we can go into details in the future but it's good to have some
ideas.



* You may or may not have noticed the other thread disappeared. I thought
this would be more appropriate for the time being!

Oh! How did you get into it and what exactly about it that interests you? Do
you find them to be major issues that need to be considered more seriously?
And why do you think so?

I would say one of the big issues of the world would be global warming, since it effects pretty much everyone on this planet. A solution could be found, just who knows how many years it will be until they will really start a full-armed solution to the problem.

Yes, I agree. There are those cars nowadays that run on hydrogen. It'd be nice if more people would decide to buy them instead of the gas-guzzlers... or at least hybrid cars that don't use as much gasoline. You just have to love that car exhaust, yes. stare

Major issues Im interested in... I would say ethical and moral issues. Religion and mythology interest me in particular, and I very much enjoy discussing these things, so long as the debate is kept civil. I suppose Im interested in these sort of things because I grew up in the shadow of an extreme level of prejudice and bigotry, and with study I have been able to overcome the vast majority of that, and so would like to help other people do the same and overcome their ignorance. I tend to be a big skeptic regarding religion and other mystical topics though, as I am a firm believer in science as the primary form of progress in the world. This tends to make people dislike me I suppose, as there is quite a negative stigma attached to skeptics, but hey, Im only asking for evidence. lol ><

The ways to fix ignorance is of course to educate people. In my personal opinion, the school systems are far, far too lax, and because of this kids are not growing up to think properly for themselves. There needs to be more of a focus on logical and empirical thinking, but without losing focus on the arts, and I think by increasing the difficulty through all levels of education, and working to improve parental guidance and participation, people will begin to turn out far more intelligent than our current school system gives them credit for being.

(Sorry... that was a bit long wasn't it? And maybe a bit scattered, Im not sure, but I feel rather unorganized right now. ><)

NOT AT ALL! That is what I call in-depth, it is encouraged! <3

I find it to be important to. I think we're sort of a at a standstill when it comes to matters about abortion, homosexuality (marriage/adoption), gender socialization, as well as other things.

I don't think it could be asked for people to separate their religious beliefs because it goes exactly what they feel is morally correct. I don't know how much science could really help that, all though I'm a science/skeptical person myself. A lot of debate about that still actually.

Even if we get just the facts, I think people are the ones that place moral values on it. For example, whether something is natural or not does not make it a good or bad thing. Some say it is people who put value upon the facts. So what is the point of finding out whether homosexuality is natural or not? Then their is this whole counter-argument about looking at science through sort of comparing cultures and seeing under which conditions one culture flourishes compared to the other.

o___o; Um yea! Hahaha.

Anyhow... I ALSO agree with the whole school system. It seems that they are focused on all the wrong things? Even if a teacher says, "Don't do this/that" or "This is unjust and wrong." a student might not listen to the teacher. So, I think it is also the relationships between students and teacher.

And as you said, make it more challenging. As well, it should be made in a way they'd enjoy; that they are participating in something they feel is worthwhile and important.

Ah yes, we will divide these into separate topics eventually. And hopefully we can get into more of the nitty gritty, listing sources, points, discussing what they mean, and all that in a more organized manner. :]

But most discussion topics can be done here because there shouldn't be too many threads that are all focused on the same thing about a subject. For example, we don't want repeat topics of "Global Warming: Is it a Real Threat or Not?" but it's okay if the other thread is different, like "Global Warming: What Can We Do To Change It?".

I hope that explains it. Anyhow, we will be recruiting soon for a crew. Probably after 23rd of this month. I just need to finish the recruitment thread. If any of you are interested... ;D

One of the best debate topics in my guild is actually incest.
Then I just made an ED topic on pro-suicide that seems to be going well.
A personal interest of mine is poverty in downtown areas.