Let's debate..................................

Slate.com generously offers us an alternative to political arguments at family gatherings.  Rather than fight about the glories of  Obamacare or the fecklessness of our 43rd President,  families can now politely debate questions like these:

• If you were condemned to be a tree or a fish which would be better?
• If all music were replaced by the works of one of the following artists, which would be better: Billy Joel or Beethoven?
• Humans have destroyed the planet, and we are all now under the thumb of animal overlords. Would it be better to be ruled by dolphins or bumblebees?
• Would you rather live by an ocean or in the mountains?
• If you were granted the godlike power to do one but not both of these, would you choose to end global warming or cure cancer?
• If Lex Luthor finally defeated Superman and condemned all productive Americans to communicate either by email or conference call, which would be better?
• Would you rather meet your ancestors or your great-great-grandchildren?
• Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?
• Who would win a battle between a nearsighted Mr. Rogers armed with a baguette, and Mr. Peanut riding a unicycle who had the ability to see 3 seconds into the future? (This question courtesy of Superfight!)
• Would you rather play the world's instruments expertly or speak the world's languages fluently?
• If you had to give up coffee or alcohol for the rest of your life, which would it be? (And I don't just mean for breakfast.)
• Which is more valuable: $100 donated to charity or three hours spent in a soup kitchen?

My favorite would be the godlike powers scenario. Lots of room for continuing arguments there.  If we were to end global warming, does that mean that global cooling (not a favorable outcome) ensues, or does it mean that for the first time in four point five billion years conditions on Earth would not be in flux?  Just asking.