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Karl van der Bal

Karl van der Bal

Expert
Level 8 // 1360 xp
344 posts

68%
640 xp to reach Level 9 (2000 xp)

 Trophies (14)

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Debates

Most commented
#1 Unemployment benefits or professional training of the unemployed? What should be a priority? 1
#2 Should transactions with tax haven countries and offshore centers be restricted? 2
#3 Laws on alcohol consumption: should they be more restrictive? 1
#4 Should Turkey join the European Union? 1
#5 Do you think the recent global financial crisis is temporary or the beginning of a fundamental model change? 2
#6 Public sector vs private sector: should public services be privatized? 5
#7 Fracking pros and cons - Do you agree with the extraction of gas and oil using hydraulic fracturing? 10
#8 Immigration pros and cons: do you agree with the relaxation of immigration policies? 2
#9 Drone strikes pros and cons: do you agree with the use of military drones? 5
#10 Pokémon, Super Mario or Zelda: which is the top Nintendo game series? 1
#11 Which book series do you prefer: Herbert's Dune or Asimov's Foundation? 1
#12 What do you think of Legolas appearing in "The Hobbit"? 1
#13 Same sex marriage debate: Should it be legalized? 1
#14 Is the Erasmus student exchange programme a successful initiative or a waste of money? 1
#15 Was the PPACA healthcare reform ("Obamacare") good? Pros and cons 3
#16 Should Scotland be an independent country? 3
#17 Which TV show do you prefer: The Sopranos or The Wire? 1
#18 Does homeopathy work or is it a pseudoscience? Would you say it is effective or detrimental? 3
#19 Is astrology real? Is it as a true science or a pseudoscience? 1
#20 Which is the best football league: the English Premier League or the Spanish Liga? 8
#21 What type of food do you prefer: fish or meat? 1
#22 French, Italian or Spanish, which European cuisine is the best? 1
#23 Do South American countries have the right to exploit the resources of the Amazon rainforest? 2
#24 3D movies: love them or hate them? 1
#25 Travolta's most iconic dance scene 1
#26 Best animated series: The Simpsons, South Park or Family Guy? 1
#27 Is fashion worth the high price? 1
#28 Hipster look: is there such a thing or is it a creative way of expressing oneself? 1
#29 Keynes vs Friedman: who was the most influential economist? 6
#30 Best Spanish archipelago for holidays: Canary or Balearic Islands? 1
#31 Chinese or Japanese cuisine: which Asian food do you prefer? 1
#32 Fashion capital of the world - Which is the true “fashion city”? 1
#33 Canadian Hockey: Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs? 2
#34 Best 1980s NBA player: Larry Bird or Magic Johnson? 1
#35 Is genetically modified food dangerous? Join the debate on the pros and cons of GMOs 4
#36 Is Cara Delevingne worth the media hype? 2
#37 Paris or London, which city is more exciting? 1
#38 Ferran Adrià and Alain Ducasse - revolution vs tradition. Who is the better chef? 1
#39 Best fantasy worlds: Lord of the Rings vs Game of Thrones? 3
#40 Best Roman emperors and their achievements: Julius Caesar, Augustus or Constantine? 2
#41 Does Europe need more austerity? 7
#42 Should cannabis be legalized? 9
#43 Mac vs PC pros and cons: what computer should I buy? 1
#44 Pros and cons of tattoos: are tattoos sexy? Should I get one? 1
#45 Bitcoin pros and cons: are cryptocurrencies the future of money? Will they replace traditional currencies? 1
#46 The worst TV series finale: Lost, Dexter or How I Met Your Mother? 1
#47 Best Scorsese movie: Taxi Driver, Goodfellas or The Departed? 2
#48 Proportional vs majoritarian: which type of electoral system do you prefer ? 1
#49 Healthiest wine to drink: red or white? 1
#50 Organic food prices and benefits: is organic food worth the higher price? 1
#51 The ultimate Renaissance artist: Da Vinci or Michelangelo? 3
#52 Your ideal garden: flowers or vegetables? 1
#53 Best grunge band: Nirvana or Pearl Jam? 1
#54 Should plastic bags be banned or taxed? 1
#55 iPhone 6 pros and cons: Do you think this Apple device is an achievement or a disappointment? 3
#56 New queen of pop: Katy Perry or Lady Gaga? 1
#57 Should exotic animals be kept as pets? Should the ownership of wild animals be banned? 3
#58 Should Ukraine be invited to join the EU? 2
#59 Will free-to-play (F2P) with microtransactions in games dominate the future of online gaming? 1
#60 Should member states transfer more powers to the EU Parliament? Should the EP be strengthened? 1
#61 European financial crisis: Will the Euro collapse? 1
#62 Burger wars: Whopper vs Bic Mac. Which burger tastes better? 1
#63 Should we care if a film fails the Bechdel test? 2
#64 Rugby World Cup 2015: what team will win? 2
#65 Copyright protection: should it be reduced or strengthened? 4
#66 Bender vs Roger: Who is cooler, the Futurama's robot or American Dad's alien? 1
#67 TTIP pros and cons: Is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) a threat or an opportunity? 1
#68 Should the Supreme Courts justices be elected or appointed? 1
#69 Eurovision poll: is the Eurovision Song Contest a waste of money and resources? 2
#70 Is Shakespeare an overrated writer? 2
#71 Mods or Rockers: who do you prefer? 1
#72 Should Catalonia become an independent state and break away from Spain? 1
#73 Petition: Revoke the decision to end British support for search-and-rescue operations for migrants in danger of drowning in the Mediterranean 2
#74 Is Michael Jordan the greatest sportsman of all times? 2
#75 Bach, Mozart or Beethoven: who was the best classical music composer? 1
#76 Space exploration pros and cons: Are space programs a waste of money? 1
#77 Should Russell Brand run for mayor of London? 1
#78 Is monogamy a natural behavior or a social imposition? 1
#79 SAS vs Navy SEALs: best military special forces in the world 1
#80 Can the PFLP attack in Jerusalem trigger a revival of revolutionary armed organizations? 15
#81 Who is the best James Bond actor? Pick your favorite 007! 2
#82 Home or hospital birth? Find out the pros and cons of home birth 9
#83 Dealing with rejection in dating - What is the best way to turn down a date? 1
#84 We tortured some folks: Will the Senate report on the CIA's torture hurt the US? 1
#85 Torture pros and cons: Is torture ever acceptable? 2
#86 Pedro Almodovar best movies - Which period do you prefer: the earlier/crazier films or the later/serious ones? 1
#87 Dolphin hunting: should it be completely banned or should this tradition be preserved? 1
#88 Taxing wealth: the return of the politics of envy? 7
#89 Do you believe in Santa Claus? Should parents make their kids believe in him? 1
#90 US-Cuba relations: is the normalization a victory for Cuban or for US diplomacy? 1
#91 Should gorillas be banned in zoos? 2
#92 Does celebrity advocacy have a positive impact on development projects in African countries? 3
#93 Was Joe Cocker, the gravel-voiced rock 'n' roll wild man, an over or underrated singer? 1
#94 Best chocolate in the world. Swiss or Belgians: who are the true chocolate champions? 3
#95 Should whale meat be completely banned worldwide, including for Inuits and other aboriginal communities? 2
#96 Is it justified to have guns at home for self-defense? 2
#97 American, European or Asian cars? 3
#98 Who will be the first to send humans to Mars: United States, Europe or China? 2
#99 Who is your favorite member of One Direction? 1
#100 Best online dating site or app: Badoo, Match.com, Meetic, Tinder or Zoosk? 1
#101 Constitutional monarchy vs republic: which is the best form of government? 1
#102 Movies with twist endings: The Sixth Sense, The Empire Strikes Back, Planet of the Apes, Fight Club and Usual Suspects. Which is your favourite? 1
#103 Should people who download music and movies illegally be punished? Is free downloading theft? 2
#104 Will One Direction see the end of 2015? 1
#105 Measuring poverty in the 21st century: Are “thick” measures better than “thin?” 3
#106 History of art: figurative vs abstract art movements 1
#107 Vaping pros and cons: Do electronic cigarettes pose a higher health risk than tobacco cigarettes? 1
#108 Vaccination pros and cons: should vaccines be administered to children regardless of parental consent? 3
#109 Capitalism vs socialism: is Marxism relevant today? 3
#110 Should prostitution be legalized? Pros and cons of legalization 4
#111 Best romantic gifts for her: lingerie, perfume, jewellery, dinner or flowers? 2
#112 Which “fastest man in the World” established the most astonishing records: Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis or Usain Bolt? 1
#113 Should cities offer free public WIFI access to their citizens despite its high cost? 3
#114 Child-free flights: should airlines offer kid-free zones to their passengers? 1
#115 The Lord of the Rings trilogy vs The Hobbit trilogy: the best adventure in Middle Earth? 1
#116 Does living together before marriage strengthen a relationship? 1
#117 Is nationalism a logical reaction to globalization? 1
#118 The biggest Oscar snubs for best picture: Citizen Kane, Goodfellas, The Shawshank Redemption or Boyhood? 1
#119 Most influential Northern Baroque painter: Rubens or Rembrandt? 1
#120 Game of Thrones ending: who will win the game of thrones? 2
#121 The school uniforms debate: should students wear uniforms? 2
#122 50 Shades of Grey: empowering story of kinky sex or abusive relationship? 1
#123 Are entrepreneurs born or made? Do universities foster or kill the entrepreneurial spirit? 1
#124 Direct democracy pros and cons: are referendums the ultimate democratic tool? 1
#125 Ultimate source of energy: the sun? Solar energy pros and cons 8
#126 Cool small cars: Mini vs 600 vs Beetle vs 2CV. Which is the most iconic? 1
#127 Debate on child labour: are we just hypocritical consumers? 1
#128 French bulldog, pug or chihuahua: Best toy dog? 1
#129 Giuseppe Verdi or Richard Wagner: the virtuosity of the Italian maestro or the power of the German genius? 1
#130 Your favorite Los Angeles NBA basketball team: Lakers or Clippers? 2
#131 Is world population control the best solution to environmental issues? 1
#132 New claims for German World War Two reparations to Greece: a fair request or an attempt to instrumentalize history? 4
#133 Nature vs nurture: is personality mostly shaped by our genes or by the environment and socialization? 2
#134 Prince vs Michael Jackson: who was the best pop singer and influential artist? 2
#135 EU-Russia relations and the "energy war". Are gas and oil legitimate instruments for political conflict? 4
#136 Are 6-year-olds too young for household chores? 1
#137 Is there intelligent life on other planets? Do aliens exist? Four scientific scenarios 2
#138 Gender quotas in politics: an effective tool to empower women? 3
#139 Does age matter in relationships? Is age difference a problem? 1
#140 Retirement age debate: should it be raised or lowered? 5
#141 Emotional infidelity and betrayal debate: Is kissing cheating? 1
#142 Foie gras controversy: should it be banned due to the cruelty involved in its production? 1
#143 Sartre or Camus: which of these French existentialist writers and philosophers inspires you the most? 1
#144 Do you think representative democracy is the best form of government? 7
#145 Homeschooling pros and cons - Is homeschool better than public school? 5
#146 Superman or Batman: which one is the best DC superhero? 1
#147 Are pharmaceutical companies ethical and concerned about the public good? 2
#148 On religious and moral education: Should religion be taught in public schools? 1
#149 Old World vs New World: which wine do you prefer to buy? 3
#150 Best political TV series and fictional president: The West Wing vs House of Cards? 1
#151 Should we abandon nuclear energy? Time for a nuclear power phase-out? 1
#152 Nike or Adidas: which sports brand do you prefer? 1
#153 Love Calcio? Juventus vs Milan vs Inter: which is the best Serie A Team? 1
#154 Best american classic car: Chevy Corvette or Ford Mustang? 2
#155 Private vs public schools: which type of education do you prefer for your children? 1
#156 Major issues in America: Top problem the next US President will face? 1
#157 Gibraltar: Spain or UK? How should the dispute be settled? 2
#158 Top 10 TV series 2015: pick your favorite! 2
#159 Best airplane in the world: Boeing vs Airbus 1
#160 Burkini pros and cons and ban: Is Islamic swimwear a good idea for Muslim women? 3
#161 What is the main barrier for economic diversification in developing resource-rich countries? 6
#162 Japanese security and peacekeeping operations - Should Japan strengthen its army? 2

Comments

Recent
29 May 2017 21:59 Best political TV series and fictional president: The West Wing vs House of Cards?
both series are premised on potus' being incredibly capable individuals with notable leadership ...
7 Apr 2017 14:48 Best romantic gifts for her: lingerie, perfume, jewellery, dinner or flowers?
An 89 year old billionaire proposing to a 21 year old partner without prenup agreement... now if ...
7 Apr 2017 14:45 Best chocolate in the world. Swiss or Belgians: who are the true chocolate champions?
Those belgians and swiss...cultivating sugarcane and cocoa beans in their tropical forests to get...
7 Apr 2017 14:43 Best chocolate in the world. Swiss or Belgians: who are the true chocolate champions?
Are you a black african with fondness for belgian love partners covered in chocolate? ;)
7 Apr 2017 14:40 Gibraltar: Spain or UK? How should the dispute be settled?
The head of the gibraltar monkey party has informed pm theresa may and president rajoy of their c...

Top
19 Oct 2014 11:49 Is Shakespeare an overrated writer?
I think we can't stress enough the point that he's the premier ENGLISH-LANGUAGE writer. Those who...
6
11 Feb 2015 19:24 Should prostitution be legalized? Pros and cons of legalization
prostitution is -or at least should be- a 'simple' economic transaction between two willing parti...
5
19 Sep 2014 17:29 Bitcoin pros and cons: are cryptocurrencies the future of money? Will they replace traditional currencies?
i wouldnt bet the house on national currencies disappearing next week. However the idea of a curr...
5
6 Sep 2014 10:19 Does homeopathy work or is it a pseudoscience? Would you say it is effective or detrimental?
homoeopathy (note the voluntary omission of 'medicine') is as effective as voodoo magic or bangin...
5
5 Dec 2014 06:43 Bach, Mozart or Beethoven: who was the best classical music composer?
Bach is a cream millefeuille, mozart an After Eight ice cream while beethoven is a crepe flambée....
4

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