General

Of the numerous topics that we present, some don't quite fit in specific categories. However, there are still issues that people want to weigh in on and this is the platform to do just that. If you are so inclined, take the time and review the topics in this general category to see if anything piques your interest.

Should we allow algorithms to help decide someone's fate in court? In several U.S. states, judges are using algorithmic instruments akin to COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions) to aid them in sentencing... Click Here.These Artificial Intelligence systems evaluate risk scores ... Click to continue Should we allow algorithms to help decide someone's fate in court?

Do you like self-checkout? The self-checkout, or SCO, was invented by David R. Humble. It was introduced to the public almost 40 years ago in July of 1986 at a Kroger store in Atlanta, Georgia. The first machine was made by CheckRobot Inc., a Deerfield Beach, Florida-based com... Click to continue Do you like self-checkout?

Would you mind if the government knew everything about you? Palantir, a tech firm based in Denver, Colorado, that specializes in developing and deploying software platforms, particularly for data analytics and intelligence, won the biggest IT contract in the history of NHS England to integrate data into a cen... Click to continue Would you mind if the government knew everything about you?

Did SNAP benefits help cause high grocery prices? The original Food Stamp Program started on May 16, 1939, during the Great Depression. The program was set to last four years. At that time, the government was trying to manage agricultural surpluses and feed starving people. Due to unemployment, a lo... Click to continue Did SNAP benefits help cause high grocery prices?

Are lottery tickets becoming too expensive? If you haven't heard, Mega Millions has increased their ticket price with the promise of larger jackpots. As of April 1st, commonly known as April Fool's Day, the price more than doubled, jumping from $2 to $5. This is only the second price incre... Click to continue Are lottery tickets becoming too expensive?

Should the amount of money that juries award in a civil lawsuit be capped? A civil lawsuit is a non-criminal proceeding in which one party sues another in court. Damages may be awarded by the court of various types, to include compensatory, aggravated, and punitive damages. Other relief may be sought as well. Tort refo... Click to continue Should the amount of money that juries award in a civil lawsuit be capped?

Is it ethical to use facial recognition technology in public areas? Facial recognition is a technology that can identify people by analyzing their faces. Face recognition is a form of biometrics in that unique biological characteristics of an individual are used. Special algorithms extract facial features and convert... Click to continue Is it ethical to use facial recognition technology in public areas?

Do you think the Department of Education should be abolished? The Department of Education was, according to their website, created in 1867 "to collect information on schools and teaching that would help the states establish effective school systems." The Department of Education's function is to make policies on... Click to continue Do you think the Department of Education should be abolished?

Should the person paying child support receive the child tax credit? According to the IRS, child support payments aren't tax deductible for the payer or taxable income to the recipient. The payer of child support can only claim the children on their tax return if they are the custodial parent or if they get permission... Click to continue Should the person paying child support receive the child tax credit?

Do you think that we should use standard time year-round? Daylight saving time was instituted to make use of how long the sun stayed out in the summer. The night would fall later, so people would have more time for day-to-day activities. Our clocks would "spring" forward and "fall" back, according to the ti... Click to continue Do you think that we should use standard time year-round?

Which hamburger chain makes the best hamburger? McDonald's was founded in 1940 by the McDonald brothers, Richard and Maurice. They introduced their "Speedee Service System" in 1948. The brothers were bought out by businessman Ray Kroc in 1961. Kroc was trying to sell the McDonald brothers shake ... Click to continue Which hamburger chain makes the best hamburger?

Which pizza chain has the best pizza? Of all pizza chains, data shows that Domino's ranks #1 in sales throughout the United States. If that is indicative of how a pizza tastes, then we have a clear winner. Domino's has been reimagined since their days of "the Noid." In 2010, Domino's r... Click to continue Which pizza chain has the best pizza?

Do you think public touch screens are going away any time soon? When you walk into McDonald's or Wendy's these days, you may notice a kiosk in the lobby with a touchscreen that allows you to place your order. In addition, self-checkouts in places like Walmart are prime examples of where touchscreens are used almo... Click to continue Do you think public touch screens are going away any time soon?

Do you think there should be toll roads? Toll roads are public or private roads for which a fee is assessed for usage. Toll roads have been in existence for centuries, with their roots going back as far as the 8th century BC. In fact, toll roads are all over the world. Toll roads today... Click to continue Do you think there should be toll roads?

Should autonomous vehicles be banned? Cruise is a robotaxi company and a subsidiary of General Motors that had to recall 950 of its driverless cars after one of the cars struck a pedestrian in San Francisco. The technology is far from perfect despite General Motors investing $10 billion ... Click to continue Should autonomous vehicles be banned?

Recycling. Should we make it more of a priority? It seems economically and environmentally responsible to recycle. Plastics and other goods can be used hundreds of times in some form or another, if not more. Typically, a person drinks bottled water, and the discarded container ends up in a landfill... Click to continue Recycling. Should we make it more of a priority?

Should drivers be forced to have devices installed on their car to ensure they comply with speed limits? California State Senator Scott Wiener has proposed legislation for all new cars sold in the state in 2027 to have technology that makes it more difficult to speed. When he first drafted his bill, he wanted "speed governors" on new cars but faced fier... Click to continue Should drivers be forced to have devices installed on their car to ensure they comply with speed limits?

Should there be one "legal" age in the United States? At the age of 18, U.S. citizens are granted the right to vote, provided they haven't been convicted of a felony. Also, at age 18, one can engage in consensual sex (you can engage in consensual sex at 16 or 17 in some states), go to the military, and ... Click to continue Should there be one "legal" age in the United States?