INDUBITABLY: The Debate Podcast

Look!  Up in the sky!  It’s a bird!  It’s a plane!  It’s… A Chinese Spy Balloon?  Or is it a weather balloon?  In this episode we examine the tense relationship between the United States and China, and some of the more interesting strategies they pursue as they attempt to gain the upper hand over each other.

For years now, Hollywood has come under criticism for its lack of diversity, particularly when it comes to awards shows.  Will this year be any different?  Despite recent efforts to be more inclusive when it comes to the talent and stories brought to the silver screen, is greater representation automatically a good thing?  How do we balance authenticity with tokenism?

Every year, school districts across the United States ban more and more books for an increasing number of reasons.  How can we decide which, if any, are too dangerous for our children to read?  Is protecting students from potentially upsetting ideas a mistake that will lead to sub par education and stunted development?

In this episode, Josh battles on behalf of humanity against a computer counterpart that is giving speeches generated by the AI model ChatGPT.  The topic for the debate is “It is Immoral to be Apolitical.”  Following the debate, Kelly gives her judgment on who she thinks won, and we have a discussion about the AI’s performance, as well as future implications. 

On this holiday of (corporatized?) romance, we examine the question of whether or not it is better to be single or in a relationship?  Do societal expectations surrounding partnership push people into "situationships" that are unhealthy and inauthentic? What about marriage?  Should governments be incentivizing people to enter into these lifelong bonds or should we perhaps end state recognition of marriage altogether?

In 2021 the National Football League made over $17 Billion.  As each of us attends games, buys jerseys and supports our teams, what kind of organization are we handing our money over to?  How does the NFL treat its players when it comes to injuries or equity?  Does it turn away from the criminal and oftentimes abusive activities of some of its players?  And what should we, as fans, do about it?

Virtually every system of morality constructed by any society throughout history has been based on the idea that we, as humans, possess free will.  But what if that isn’t the case?  In this episode we examine the theory that every choice we make has been predetermined, whether by prior causes or natural law, and what the ramifications of that could be.

Perhaps the strongest biological urge that any species faces, and quite possibly the meaning of life itself, is procreation.  But with tens of thousands of children around the world orphaned or abandoned, and our population growing exponentially, is it time that we set aside that urge for the betterment of society?  Are parents who seek to pass on their genes acting immorally?

With Psilocybin, Ketamine, Ayahuasca and other Psychedelics and Hallucinogens starting to show potential benefits as therapeutic cures to a variety of conditions, states are considering whether or not to legalize them.  Should they be made available for researchers?  For medical use?  For recreation?  We discuss “The Science” behind these options as well as compare them to current alternatives. 

Several countries around the world have very recently elected corrupt leaders:  Brazil, the Philippines, (the USA?).  Should candidates who have been exiled from their country or spent time in jail be eligible to run for office?  If you had the choice between a competent but corrupt leader or an honest politician (oxymoron?) who would likely do a worse job, who would you vote for?