50 Examples of Hot Topics for Discussion
Miscellanea / / September 14, 2021
Hot topics for discussion
The current issues to debate they have the peculiarity that they refer to current events, issues that interest people or new inventions or discoveries.
Discussions take place on television shows, schools, universities, at meetings, etc. and in many cases they usually have the participation of a moderator and other members, who may be specialists in the subject under discussion.
For a debate to be enriching, it is essential that there are people with different points of view and that the participants' interventions are clear, well argued and do not disrespect other people present.
Discussing current affairs is important for participants and the public to improve their techniques persuasion and exposure and learn more about a topic, about which people want to have more information.
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Examples of hot topics to discuss
- The use of technological devices. How much time per day does a person have to use technological devices? Do these devices help people to be more productive or are they a source of distraction? The use of technological devices brings many advantages, for example, it makes communication faster, but also many disadvantages, for example, it can cause dependency. But, ‘Can we reach a balance in the use of our computers, our cell phones, our video game consoles? Does the use of different devices affect everyone the same or are there differences depending on the age of the people?
- Euthanasia. Euthanasia can be an intervention performed by doctors to end the life of a patient that you do not have much prospect of life or that you are suffering from a disease that causes a lot suffering. Euthanasia is also considered the decision of terminally ill patients not to receive treatment to keep them alive. Euthanasia is legal and practiced in some countries, but it raises some ethical dilemmas: Are all people can decide whether to agree to euthanasia or have to undergo evaluations psychiatric? Can the relatives of a patient decide who, for example, is in a coma? Can a doctor be a conscientious objector to this practice? Does it have to be legalized in all countries?
- Climate change. Climate change is one of the topics that is present in the newspapers, social networks, the political agenda and the programs of television, that is, it is one of the topics that is most debated today due to all the consequences it generates in our planet. Many of the things that are debated are: Is the human being entirely responsible for climate change and global warming? How to take care of our planet and not generate an economic crisis? Do governments have to legislate or ban the practices that lead to climate change? Does climate change affect all parts of the Earth in the same way? What are its causes and consequences? What should and what can be done to avoid harming the next generations?
- Women's rights. In recent years, women's rights are a central theme of many debates, for example, there is talk on the fact that women receive a lower salary than that received by men, for the same position of job. In relation to this and other issues, the following questions are raised: Are women discriminated against? Why don't they have the same rights as men in all societies? Why were they granted certain rights much later that men were already guaranteed decades ago? How is it ensured that women have access to different institutions?
- Social networks. Like everything that is relatively new, social networks raise debates in which very diverse positions can be found. In addition, they are analyzed from different disciplines, for example, sociology, politics, economics and psychology. The debate on the use of social networks is crossed by different axes: What are its advantages and disadvantages? Are people more connected to others or, conversely, less connected? Are they reliable sources of information or do they divulge false information? Can everyone access and use social networks in the same way? Do they generate real changes in society or just the appearance that something has changed? How do they relate to politics?
- Politics. Policy debates often take place in social gatherings, on television shows, or on social media. To discuss this issue, it is important to do so with respect, since, in many cases, the positions of the participants can be very different. In addition, there are debates in which candidates for different government positions participate, which serve to let people know what politicians think about different issues. When discussing policy, the following topics are often mentioned: social inclusion, employment, monetary aid from the government, taxes, import, export, position on international politics, economy, inflation, privatization, nationalization, education, health, among others.
- Citizen participation in democracy. In some countries, citizen participation consists of electing their representatives, but in other countries, citizens can make more decisions. What is the difference between a representative democracy, a participatory democracy and a direct democracy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Which one would work best in a certain country? How are citizens informed to make decisions regarding voting?
- Artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is the development of machines that emulate the ability to think and solve situations that is typical of human beings. Faced with this great technological advance, there are different positions that may include arguments from ethics, biology, computing, among others. Many of the debates center on the following questions: Will computers and robots replace humans in certain jobs? Is it safe to develop technological inventions with independent thinking? Will it be used to do good or to do bad? Can you make mistakes or do you always do everything right?
- The globalization. Since globalization was consolidated in the 20th century, there are many positions in favor of this phenomenon, but others that they are against or suggesting that certain elements of globalization have to be regulated in another way. Being a topic that has a great impact on many aspects of life, it can be analyzed from different disciplines. There are many axes of this issue that can be debated, for example: Did globalization favor all countries equally? How does it affect the economy and politics? What about identities? Is this phenomenon the cause of cultural appropriation? Do people, the economy and culture really have a greater exchange?
- Veganism and vegetarianism. For some years now, veganism and vegetarianism have been topics that appear in everyday conversations, in scientific debates, on the political agenda, among others. It is not only related to animal abuse, but also to food production and people's nutrition. Regarding the consumption of food that comes from animals, the following questions can be discussed: Is a person who does not eat food that comes from animals healthy? Does the production of this type of food harm the environment? Are all vegetarian and vegan products healthy? Why don't animals have the right to life?
- Equality. This topic has been addressed for centuries in relation to politics, economics, education, health, among others and constantly appears in different types of debates. Some of the central axes to debate on equality can be: Do we have to talk about equality or equity? Do all people have an equal footing? How does a state guarantee the equality of its citizens? Are all people considered equal regardless of their gender, religion, sexuality, origin, etc.? Is the situation the same in all countries?
- The stereotypes. Stereotypes are previous ideas that are made about certain people, topics, etc. and that generally do not have a correlation with reality or that they can cause discrimination. In relation to this issue you can debate: What produces a stereotype? Are stereotypes prejudices? What negative consequences have stereotypes produced throughout history? How do you reflect on stereotypes and what can be done to avoid promoting them? Do stereotypes lead to discrimination?
- Employment and the world of work. Work is one of the most debated topics worldwide, since it is part of people's daily lives and is related to the political and economic agenda. Since employment is a very present topic in conversations, it can be analyzed from very different perspectives. Some of them are: How is it guaranteed that everyone can access quality employment? Are the most qualified people occupying the best positions? How do you have to regulate the salary? How does unemployment affect people's lives and a country? What is the relationship between education and work?
- Freedom of expression. Freedom of expression is an issue that is present in many conversations, because there are different positions regarding where and how to put the limit, for example, it is not easy to determine if a person is saying what he thinks or is making a comment that may be discriminatory to another person. In relation to this issue, it is possible to debate on: Is freedom of expression guaranteed or is there censorship? What comments cease to be opinions and are said that promote discrimination, violence, among others? Do all people have the possibility of giving their opinion in the same way? Is it necessary to be well informed to express an opinion?
- Alternative medicine and traditional medicine. Traditional medicine has made great strides lately, but there are many people who believe that there are other alternative methods of cure or treatments that are more or less effective invasive. The axes that are usually debated are: Is traditional medicine a business or is it an effective cure? Can the two types of medicine be combined? Before doing an alternative treatment, is it better to consult with a traditional medicine doctor? Why is it important to speak with a specialist on the subject? Do governments have to guarantee access to both types of treatment?
- Traditional education and other types of education. With the advancement of technology, new debates were opened in relation to traditional education: Is face-to-face education or distance education better? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each one? Is it the same for all levels? At present there are many very different opinions on this subject and on its consequences. Some of the axes on which it can be debated are: Is education better in traditional institutions or at home? Does distance education favor or restrict access? Do you learn the same in traditional education as in the alternative? Does traditional education have to be compulsory? What alternatives are there to traditional education and what advantages do they have?
- Economy. This topic appears in many debates because it is something important for workers, investors, businessmen, politicians, journalists, among others. Although the economy can be analyzed from many points of view, some of the axes that can be debated are: How can a government favor economic growth? Is a free market model or an intervening state better? How does an economic crisis affect the economy, politics and people? What economic measures are the ones that work best and is the same thing happening in all countries? How is investment encouraged? How can small producers be made to grow?
- Electric cars. Electric vehicles are being developed in many countries, but the circulation of cars using fossil fuels still predominates. In relation to this topic, it is often debated about the environmental and economic consequences that occur or would occur if these types of vehicles are used. Some of the central axes to debate on this topic are: Are electric cars cheaper? How can a person use this type of vehicle if he has no where to load it in the city? How would the economy change if other types of vehicles were stopped to produce only electric ones? What benefits does it bring for the environment?
- Clinical trials in animals. Many of the products that are consumed, such as medicines or beauty products, are tested on animals before governments approve them for human use. But these practices often cause laboratory animals to go through a lot of suffering. In relation to this issue there are many questions that can be used for debate: Is it ethical to continue with these practices? Can these products be licensed with other types of trials? Are the results of these tests safe, since we do not have the same characteristics as those animals? What products are not tested on animals and what alternatives are there to this type of testing?
- Eating disorders. Eating disorders is an issue that worries many specialists, since it is something that many people suffer from in many places. In relation to this issue you can discuss: Do advertising, movies, magazines and other media affect the way people perceive themselves? How should educational institutions and relatives of a person with eating disorders act? Why is image so important in our society? How not to stigmatize people who suffer from these types of disorders? How can eating disorders be prevented?
More examples of hot topics to discuss
- Evolution of technology
- Assisted death
- Bullying
- Poverty
- Immigration
- Feminism
- Wars
- Use of fossil fuels
- Gender violence
- Education
- Death penalty
- Human rights
- Corruption
- Governance systems
- Pandemic and health
- Consumption and production of transgenic foods
- Teaching and learning of second languages
- Privacy and social networks
- Pollution
- Recycling and caring for the planet
- The censorship
- Access to health
- The discrimination
- Cloning and genetics
- Use of cell phones in class
- Animals rights
- Trade and carrying of arms
- Depression
- Different forms of government
- Illegal adoption of exotic animals
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