Controversial topics!

Question

I recently had an amazing question-answer session on this website which turned out to be very controversial but productive at the same time. I think controversial topics provoke passion and really take intellectual conversation to a higher level... as long as people keep their wits about them.

I was wondering if you can help me make a list of controversial topics to discuss but seeing how this is a forum for learning Spanish, these topics must have a language/Spanish element to them whether that be cultural, historical, etc...

Lets begin creating a list and then keep your eyes open for the topic to be re-framed in a question shortly after.

Good way to learn history, politics, current events and more!

S

Answer 1

Just a suggestion: I would stay away from calling the topics controversial right off the start. They could be educational and fun to discuss without having to be controversial. It all depends on how the topics are presented. Go for it! You had the idea. Make it your daily column.

• Suggestion noted. I think I will make it a daily column. Something different to talk about. Hope you will participate. - shanelynch_1 Nov 8, 2009
• Good for you! If I have nothing to say I'll just point at the typos. - 0068e2f4 Nov 8, 2009

Answer 2

HI Shane, good idea, but let's not get too political, I recently closed a thread with purely polical context, we don't want to go there

• Thank you. I will try my best to keep it away from politics. - shanelynch_1 Nov 8, 2009

Answer 3

Anajo,

I have the CD for Hide This Spanish Book. Not entirely controversial, IMHO. Yes, there are som questionable phrases in it (e.g., learning how to get directions to a gay bar, how to swear in Spanish), but nothing really that bad.

• but... how to swear in Spanish is SO controversial! - zenejero Nov 9, 2009

Answer 4

There is an entire book on this by Berlitz called Hide This Spanish Book.

It looks like a lot of fun and I can't wait until I'm at a level of fluency where I can enjoy it.

It has entire chapters on things like indecent body gestures, gross bodily functions, trends, etc.

I think you should check it out.

• Thanks, sounds interesting. I will investigate. - shanelynch_1 Nov 8, 2009

Answer 5

Is there a cuter Spanish language TV announcer than Satcha Pretto?

• Good suggestion but hardly worth discussing as the answer is "no" there is not ; ) - shanelynch_1 Nov 8, 2009
• jejeje - 0068e2f4 Nov 8, 2009
• Very pretty indeed. - Lise-Laroche Nov 8, 2009
• It´s been photoshopped. - Malenor Nov 8, 2009

Answer 6

Hola Lorenzo

Qué chica más guapa. Pero a mi no me parece tan guapa como Heidita. Además ay del que lo diga. Esto es para Heidita.

• jeje, omg...this shows why I love "my" Eddy...::.blush, blush:::: - Heidita Nov 8, 2009
• Heidita, "omg"? Shouldn't it be "adm" in your language? - Yeser007 Nov 8, 2009

Answer 7

I don't think you can always fortell what is going to be controversial. If someone started a thread about purple being the best color in the world and someone else passionately believed yellow was better, you could end up witha rip-roaring debate...who knows. Sure their are hot buttons out there, and you could intentially start a controversy if you REALLY wanted to

• You are right, but if you call the thread "the controversial corner" imagine what would happen then. - 0068e2f4 Nov 8, 2009

Answer 8

Aloshek,

You're right. You absolutely can't tell what is going to be controversial. The goal was to actually stir dialogue. Controversial is just a term which invokes a certain behavior in the people I would like to converse with. I am seeking those minds who feed on a debate. Not the regular old chit chat. Hence the stated term "Intellectual conversation" which was also to be related to Spanish in some form in a hope to facilitate learning about history, culture, language... not colors.

Clever analogy though.

Any ideas besides purple or yellow?

S

Answer 9

Shanelynch 1,

Hmmm...I tend to spark controversy quite spontaneously and much by accident. How about people´s thoughts on making Spanish an official language in the United States? Canada has French and English, why can't we officially be a bilingual country as well? That's my solution for those that complain about immigrants who don´t speak the language.

Aloe

• Oh, Crumbs! That would probably be thought of as political... - aloshek Nov 8, 2009
• I'm all for this! Great idea! - 005457e3 Nov 9, 2009

Answer 10

It is funny how everybody failed to answer a question in another thread. Because of the nature of the topic "Would you mind if your child recites the pledge of Allegiance?", they got involved in a debate and didn't notice that the request was a simple translation.

• That's what I call a short fuse. - 0068e2f4 Nov 8, 2009
• Isn't that how natural conversation evolves? We start at one point and end up somewhere else. Have you ever finished a topic and then discussed how you ever got started on it in the first place? - aloshek Nov 8, 2009
• I'm not saying it's that way, I'm just pointing out how quickly we (human beings) can deviate from the intended objective - 0068e2f4 Nov 9, 2009

Answer 11

How about discussing the Mexican minimum wage...it´s currently a little less than the equivalent to $5 (US) per day. No, that wasn´t a typo - it´s per DAY! And many people live on that wage. I think many people would be more sympathetic in this country if they had any clue how hard it is to make a living there.

• Another interesting fact about the Mexican economy is that they currently have more undergraduate engineering students than the US. - lorenzo9 Nov 9, 2009
• I have a Sinaloan friend who makes 70 pesos a day picking the popular Meyer tomatoes. Ten hours at 54 cents each. He has a wife and 3 kids. And we wonder why Mexicans head Al Norte? - 005457e3 Nov 9, 2009
• In June and July this year, he had little work. His family lived on beans. No tortillas - couldn't afford them. Potable water alone costs him half a day's wage. - 005457e3 Nov 9, 2009

Answer 12

On a historical nature, Mexico and the 100 year revolution cycle.

Answer 13

Is there any possible connection between Mexican pyramid building and Egyptian pyramid building?

• Aren´t you glad you asked??? - aloshek Nov 8, 2009

Answer 14

Hey Shane,

Great idea. I appreciate the fact that you are so diplomatic and appreciative of the suggestions of others. That would make you a perfect candidate for starting interesting threads. (I didn't mean anything political by my use of the word candidate, jeje).

You probably will not have to think too long and hard on the topics. I have seen threads which I thought would be hot button topics die a very quick death. Then there are others such as the lively discussion about lemons and limes a few months ago, Christopher Columbus and the number 120 that kept people talking for hours. There really doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason, which is exactly what makes it so much fun. So I am looking forward to your ideas.

Buena Suerte

Answer 15

Did you know that more than 8 million people in Mexico speak a language other than Spanish, and no, it´s not English either.

• Mexican Indian. - Malenor Nov 8, 2009
• Mexico actually recognizes 62 additional native languages - aloshek Nov 8, 2009
• Technically, Spanish is not the official language of Mexico. It is only the most commonly used. - aloshek Nov 8, 2009
• "Technically"? - Malenor Nov 8, 2009
• Yes, technically. There is no law making Spanish their national language. Spanish is most commonly associated with Mexico ONLY because it is the most commonly used language there. - aloshek Nov 9, 2009
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