October 8, 2008

The Problem with Yes/No Questions

In a Republican primary debate several months ago, the candidates were asked to raise their hands to answer the question: "Do you believe in evolution?" That's simply not a question that can be answered with a raised or lowered hand. What would be a good way to reword the question to get more meaningful answers out of the candidates? Here's mine. "Do you believe that the theory of evolution explains either the origin of species or the origins of life?"  
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October 7, 2008

Ten on an Island

(continuation) The premise is that there are ten people on an island, they are a sovereign nation, and they are trying to best determine how to govern themselves. Question #6: Two on the island have become full-time fisherman. The other eight think that the prices charged by these fisherman are too high, and want to place price maximums on fish, considering food to be a human right. What should the group do?
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