Getting Started
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This guide is a curated collection of 131 discussion topics that have been tested in real Sway conversations, organized by discipline and annotated with performance data. It is designed for instructors who are setting up Sway assignments and want to choose topics that reliably produce productive, engaging debates.
Every topic listed here was drawn from over 15,000 student conversations across 90+ institutions and 15+ disciplines. We selected topics that are well-balanced — meaning they produce a rough 30/70 to 70/30 opinion split among students. That threshold matters because Sway pairs students who disagree: if 95% of your class holds the same view, the platform cannot form enough productive pairings.
What you will find for each topic
- The exact proposition text students see
- Sample size (how many students have discussed it)
- Opinion split and mean rating before the conversation
- Badges indicating standout performance (balanced split, high satisfaction, or high rates of mind-changing)
Browse by discipline to find topics relevant to your course, or scan the badges to find topics with the strongest track records. You can use any topic here as-is, adapt the wording to fit your syllabus, or write entirely original propositions. The next section covers how to do that well.
Topic Design
WHAT MAKES A GOOD SWAY TOPIC
Key Principles
- State a clear position, not a question. Students rate their agreement or disagreement, so the proposition must be something they can agree or disagree with.
- Be specific enough to anchor debate. Vague propositions lead to vague conversations. Give students a concrete claim to grapple with.
- Avoid loaded language. Phrasing that signals a "right answer" discourages honest disagreement and skews the opinion split.
- Choose genuine points of disagreement. The best topics are ones where thoughtful, informed people land on different sides.
- Match complexity to your students. Introductory courses benefit from accessible, broadly debatable propositions. Advanced courses can handle nuanced or domain-specific claims.
- Consider using multiple related propositions. Assigning two or three propositions on the same theme gives students a richer, more layered discussion experience.
State a Position, Not a Question
Sway asks students to rate agreement on a scale from -3 (Strongly disagree) to +3 (Strongly agree). The proposition must be a declarative statement that someone could meaningfully agree or disagree with. Open-ended questions do not work because there is no position to take a stance on.
Be Specific, Not Narrow
A good proposition stakes out clear enough ground that students know what they are debating, but leaves enough room for the conversation to develop. If the topic is too broad, students talk past each other. If it is too narrow, the conversation stalls after a few exchanges.
Good vs. Bad Topic Framing
| Weak Framing | Stronger Framing | Why It's Better |
|---|---|---|
| "What do you think about the death penalty?" | "The death penalty should be abolished in all cases." | A clear position students can agree or disagree with. The original is a question, not a proposition. |
| "Social media is bad." | "Social media companies should be required to verify that users are at least 16 years old." | Specific enough to generate substantive arguments about policy, evidence, and trade-offs rather than vague complaints. |
| "We need to do something about the harmful effects of misinformation on our democracy." | "The government should have the power to remove misinformation from social media platforms." | The original signals a "right answer" through loaded language. The revision presents a debatable policy position where reasonable people disagree. |
Avoid Consensus Topics
Topics where 90% or more of students hold the same view do not work well on Sway. If almost everyone agrees, there are not enough dissenting students to form pairings, and the few dissenters may feel isolated. Aim for topics where your class is likely to split somewhere in the 30/70 to 70/30 range. The data in this guide helps you identify those topics in advance.
Guide
HOW TO READ THE TOPIC DATA
Each topic in this guide is annotated with data from real student conversations. Here is what each metric means and how to use it when selecting topics for your course.
Sample Size (N)
N is the number of students who have discussed this topic on Sway. Higher sample sizes give you more confidence that the opinion split and satisfaction data are reliable. Topics with small sample sizes may still work well, but the data is less stable.
Opinion Split (D% / A%)
This shows the percentage of students who disagreed (rated -3 to -1) versus agreed (rated +1 to +3) with the proposition before the conversation began. A split near 50/50 is ideal for pairing efficiency. Splits in the 30/70 to 70/30 range still work well. Beyond that range, some students may not get a partner who disagrees with them.
Mean Rating
The average pre-conversation opinion on the -3 to +3 scale. A mean near 0 indicates a perfectly centered topic. Positive means indicate the class leans toward agreement; negative means indicate a lean toward disagreement. Use this alongside the split to get a quick read on how balanced the topic is likely to be for your students.
Badges
Topics that perform especially well earn one or more badges:
- Proven Splitter — The opinion split falls in the well-balanced range, meaning Sway can reliably pair students who disagree.
- Student Favorite — Students gave this topic high satisfaction ratings in post-chat surveys.
- Mind-Changer — A high proportion of students reported reconsidering or changing their view after the conversation.
- Star — The topic earned all three badges: balanced, well-liked, and effective at prompting genuine reconsideration.
Survey Data
Satisfaction and mind-change metrics come from optional post-chat surveys completed by students after their conversations. Not every student completes the survey, so these figures reflect the subset who did. They are useful directional indicators, not census-level measurements.
Ethics & Philosophy 16Health & Bioethics 20Technology & AI 18Gender, Identity & Equality 14Politics & Government 12Culture & Society 11Economics & Labor 10Criminal Justice & Law 8Free Speech & Media 8Education 7Environment & Animals 7
ethics & philosophy
Foundational questions about morality, justice, and the good life. These topics work well in philosophy courses but also travel easily into political science, law, and general education seminars where students are learning to construct and evaluate normative arguments.
Comparing the Best Normative Ethical Theories
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Social contract theory is the best normative ethical theory, better even than ethical egoism, utilitarianism, natural law, Kant's categorical imperative, virtue ethics, and care ethics.
Opinions92
Split33% D / 50% A
Neutral17%
Mean+0.23
Data from Southeast M1 HBCU
83% rated Awesome/Good (42 post-chat surveys)
“It definitely increased my confidence. Hearing my partner’s challenges helped me think more critically about my own arguments and express them more clearly.”
Ranking Metaethical Theories
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Subjective relativism is worse than emotivism, divine command theory, and cultural relativism.
Opinions100
Split53% D / 37% A
Neutral10%
Mean-0.23
Data from Southeast M1 HBCU
85% rated Awesome/Good (27 post-chat surveys)
“I think it helps in a way because it gives each person some time to think about what they're going to say and how they're going to say it which usually gives a better representation of what they think.”
Moral Licensing
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Studies show that when some people do something good, like conserving water, they may feel ‘licensed’ to be wasteful elsewhere. Policymakers should avoid nudging because it might backfire due to moral licensing.
Opinions104
Split43% D / 39% A
Neutral17%
Mean-0.12
Data from Southeast R1
92% rated Awesome/Good (12 post-chat surveys)
“The Guide's suggestions allowed us to see alternative perspectives and enhanced the conversation.”
Client Autonomy
Proven Splitter Mind-Changer
Clients’ choices should be respected even if they lead to self-harm; intervention is moral arrogance.
Opinions22
Split64% D / 27% A
Neutral9%
Mean-0.50
Data from Midwest R1
100% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
“Sway did a very good job. You made feel really comfortable to discuss with others. And you pointed out some really good points”
Space Colonization and Suffering
Proven Splitter
We should NOT seed life across space because doing so risks spreading immense future suffering.
Opinions36
Split33% D / 36% A
Neutral31%
Mean-0.03
Data from Canada
Intellectual Autonomy
Proven Splitter
‘Thinking for ourselves’ ISN’T really possible today, because modern knowledge depends on trusting long chains of experts.
Opinions82
Split46% D / 43% A
Neutral11%
Mean-0.16
Data from Canada
50% rated Awesome/Good (10 post-chat surveys)
“I feel challenged in a good way and come into a nuanced conclusion.”
Killing and Letting Die
Proven Splitter Mind-Changer
Killing is NOT in any morally significant way different from letting die.
Opinions52
Split40% D / 52% A
Neutral8%
Mean+0.37
Data from Southeast R1
22% rated Awesome/Good (18 post-chat surveys)
“This was a great experience. I enjoyed the discussion and learned a lot.”
Spanking
Proven Splitter
Corporal punishment is morally harmful because it relies on fear rather than moral reasoning.
Opinions36
Split25% D / 42% A
Neutral33%
Mean+0.39
Data from Mid-Atlantic
80% rated Awesome/Good (5 post-chat surveys)
Mind-Body Identity
Proven Splitter
The mind is just the brain.
Opinions72
Split40% D / 38% A
Neutral22%
Mean-0.06
Data from Canada
67% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Certainty About Pain
Proven Splitter
You CAN’T be mistaken about whether you are in pain or not.
Opinions72
Split40% D / 46% A
Neutral14%
Mean+0.14
Data from Canada
67% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Universal Justice
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
We should prioritize universal equality and justice over relationships when making moral decisions.
Opinions50
Split36% D / 52% A
Neutral12%
Mean+0.54
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
100% rated Awesome/Good (18 post-chat surveys)
“It made me feel more comfortable discussing complex issues with a person who may not agree with me.”
Intentions vs. Outcomes
Proven Splitter
Intentions matter more than the outcomes of an action.
Opinions50
Split32% D / 66% A
Neutral2%
Mean+0.80
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
Moral Absolutes
Proven Splitter
Moral rules should always be true.
Opinions50
Split48% D / 46% A
Neutral6%
Mean+0.12
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
“It is flexible with time, allows for deeper thought without the constraints of time, and there is less social pressure to cause bias. However, it is a bit less enjoyable without face to face interactions”
Helping Those in Need
Proven Splitter
We have an obligation to help other people in need, even if it requires us to sacrifice.
Opinions50
Split48% D / 46% A
Neutral6%
Mean-0.10
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
Cultural Equality
Proven Splitter
It is more important to treat all cultures equally than to prevent potentially morally wrong things from happening.
Opinions50
Split42% D / 50% A
Neutral8%
Mean+0.24
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
Personal Identity
Proven Splitter
Personal identity is principally a matter of artifice: it is merely a series of performances and affectations that make a person “who they are.”
Opinions70
Split43% D / 49% A
Neutral9%
Mean+0.07
Data from Midwest
health & bioethics
Questions at the intersection of medicine, public health, and moral reasoning. These topics suit nursing, pre-med, public health, bioethics, and health policy courses.
NHS Provision
Proven Splitter
The National Health Service isn’t fit for purpose and the UK should move to an insurance-based system.
Opinions31
Split52% D / 32% A
Neutral16%
Mean-0.74
Data from Europe
Physician-Assisted Suicide
Proven Splitter
It should be legal for physicians to assist terminally ill patients to commit suicide.
Opinions232
Split33% D / 34% A
Neutral32%
Mean-0.04
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
73% rated Awesome/Good (75 post-chat surveys)
“It made me become more open minded and research a little more to make sure my information was correct. It gave me a deeper insight.”
Circumcision
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
We should be gender-neutral when it comes to genital mutilation. If we are going to ban female genital mutilation (surgically removing part or all of the clitoris), we should also ban male circumcision.
Opinions146
Split34% D / 33% A
Neutral33%
Mean-0.11
Data from West R1 HSI
84% rated Awesome/Good (32 post-chat surveys)
Female Genital Mutilation
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
In some societies, people practice female genital mutilation, including surgically removing part or all of the clitoris, as part of their religion. We should respect people’s right to practice that tradition and not impose Western values onto those in the Global South.
Opinions146
Split40% D / 40% A
Neutral20%
Mean-0.05
Data from West R1 HSI
75% rated Awesome/Good (40 post-chat surveys)
SNAP Restrictions
Proven Splitter
Restricting what foods can be purchased with SNAP benefits would ultimately improve health outcomes for recipients.
Opinions126
Split48% D / 44% A
Neutral8%
Mean-0.25
Data from Northwest R1
77% rated Awesome/Good (30 post-chat surveys)
“I enjoyed talking about the different views. I think it helped me understand more of the other side, while also getting to have a good conversation.”
Privatizing Canadian Healthcare
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Canada should increase the role of private, for-profit companies in its healthcare system to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Opinions82
Split39% D / 52% A
Neutral9%
Mean+0.33
Data from Canada
94% rated Awesome/Good (16 post-chat surveys)
“it was really nice while chatting with a person who is debating about the same topic . i used to know may things form this chatting session and the guide gives perfect way to get success in our chat session and guide ...”
Singer on Abortion
Proven Splitter
A fetus merits, at best, quite low moral consideration because it lacks altogether or only marginally possesses the characteristics definitive of personhood.
Opinions46
Split33% D / 50% A
Neutral17%
Mean+0.24
Data from Southeast R1
Marquis on Abortion
Proven Splitter
Because a fetus has a future like ours, it is morally wrong to kill it.
Opinions46
Split61% D / 37% A
Neutral2%
Mean-0.50
Data from Southeast R1
75% rated Awesome/Good (12 post-chat surveys)
Marginal Cases
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
If it is morally permissible to perform medical experiments on an animal, then it must be morally permissible to perform medical experiments on a cognitively-similar human being.
Opinions66
Split59% D / 32% A
Neutral9%
Mean-0.71
Data from Southeast R1
91% rated Awesome/Good (11 post-chat surveys)
Hendricks on Abortion
Proven Splitter
Even if the fetus is NOT a person to any degree, abortion is morally wrong.
Opinions38
Split61% D / 34% A
Neutral5%
Mean-0.71
Data from Southeast R1
Medical Paternalism
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Medical paternalism can be justified if the expected gain to patient welfare is sufficiently high.
Opinions62
Split40% D / 55% A
Neutral5%
Mean-0.02
Data from Southeast R1
94% rated Awesome/Good (17 post-chat surveys)
Alcoholism and Liver Transplantation
Proven Splitter
Alcoholics should NOT compete for livers on equal terms with non-alcoholics.
Opinions60
Split32% D / 63% A
Neutral5%
Mean+0.47
Data from Southeast R1
62% rated Awesome/Good (16 post-chat surveys)
Pharmacists Selling Homeopathic Products
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Pharmacists should be able to sell homeopathic products in their pharmacies even though they only work because of the placebo effect.
Opinions58
Split40% D / 57% A
Neutral3%
Mean+0.28
Data from Canada
91% rated Awesome/Good (34 post-chat surveys)
“Sway provides good summary of points said and sometimes clarifies them. It also helps reframe arguments into a new questions that can stoke discussion.”
Occupational Therapists & Equipment
Proven Splitter
Anyone can order equipment, occupational therapists should stop gatekeeping this role.
Opinions31
Split48% D / 48% A
Neutral3%
Mean+0.13
Data from Europe
The Aurelia Brouwers Euthanasia Case
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
It was morally permissible for the End of Life Clinic to grant Aurelia Brouwers's request for euthanasia.
Opinions52
Split40% D / 38% A
Neutral21%
Mean-0.21
Data from Southeast R1
100% rated Awesome/Good (16 post-chat surveys)
Involuntary Commitment
Proven Splitter
It should be easier to involuntarily commit (hold in a facility against their will) mentally ill people for both their safety and everyone else's safety.
Opinions30
Split30% D / 47% A
Neutral23%
Mean+0.27
Data from Northeast Doctoral/Professional
100% rated Awesome/Good (5 post-chat surveys)
Minors' Abortion Access
Proven Splitter
Minors should be able to obtain an abortion WITHOUT notifying or obtaining consent from a parent or guardian.
Opinions52
Split37% D / 54% A
Neutral10%
Mean+0.27
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
67% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Active Euthanasia
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
We ought to legalize the practice of active euthanasia across the world.
Opinions60
Split27% D / 53% A
Neutral20%
Mean+0.40
Data from Southeast R1
78% rated Awesome/Good (18 post-chat surveys)
Kidney Markets
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
We should legalize kidney markets.
Opinions55
Split40% D / 47% A
Neutral13%
Mean-0.13
Data from Southeast R1
75% rated Awesome/Good (28 post-chat surveys)
Addiction
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Addiction is primarily a result of individual choices, and recovery depends on a person's willingness to change.
Opinions48
Split29% D / 69% A
Neutral2%
Mean+0.88
Data from Canada
80% rated Awesome/Good (35 post-chat surveys)
technology & ai
Propositions about artificial intelligence, automation, digital culture, and the societal impact of emerging technologies. Well-suited for computer science, information science, STS, and interdisciplinary technology courses.
LLM Alignment
Proven Splitter
We can ensure that LLMs are aligned with human values by designing them to follow moral or safe rules.
Opinions70
Split40% D / 46% A
Neutral14%
Mean-0.03
Data from Canada
61% rated Awesome/Good (23 post-chat surveys)
AI in Education: Harm vs. Good
Proven Splitter
In the context of computer science education, AI does more harm than good.
Opinions5
Split60% D / 40% A
Neutral0%
Mean-0.40
Data from 2 institutions across 1 region (Southeast R1, Southeast M1)
75% rated Awesome/Good (32 post-chat surveys)
“I thought that guide understood our points and prompted some good questions for the both of us. I think it helped to drive the conversation and debate further and deeper.”
AI-Generated Art
AI-generated art can have the same aesthetic and social values as human-generated art.
Opinions22
Split50% D / 41% A
Neutral9%
Mean-0.50
100% rated Awesome/Good (14 post-chat surveys)
“i think my partner was great at making all his points. I really like how guide raised questions and concerns I wouldn't have thought of. It really helped in our discussion!”
Human-Technology Integration
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Humans should pursue technological enhancement of the body and brain, even if it blurs the line between human and machine.
Opinions98
Split35% D / 50% A
Neutral15%
Mean+0.19
Data from Canada
82% rated Awesome/Good (11 post-chat surveys)
Platform Designer Responsibility
Proven Splitter
Designers of social media platforms (Facebook, e.g.) and LLMs (ChatGPT, e.g.) are responsible, or should be held responsible, for what their users do with them.
Opinions72
Split54% D / 43% A
Neutral3%
Mean-0.28
Data from Canada
64% rated Awesome/Good (28 post-chat surveys)
AI and Autonomy
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Using chatbots and other AI technology will enhance our autonomy rather than undermine it.
Opinions84
Split40% D / 35% A
Neutral25%
Mean-0.14
Data from Canada
81% rated Awesome/Good (16 post-chat surveys)
AI-Written Personal Messages
Proven Splitter
It is morally wrong to use AI to write personal messages (e.g., letters, apologies) to your friends and loved ones.
Opinions84
Split33% D / 56% A
Neutral11%
Mean+0.49
Data from Canada
50% rated Awesome/Good (8 post-chat surveys)
Trust vs Reliance
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
We can meaningfully ‘trust’ objects and algorithms, beyond just relying on them.
Opinions82
Split50% D / 34% A
Neutral16%
Mean-0.35
Data from Canada
83% rated Awesome/Good (18 post-chat surveys)
“I thought it was an interesting chat, my partner seems well informed on various topics relating to philosophical ideas of trust, so for me, it was interesting to see that knowledge”
Simulated Consciousness
Proven Splitter
It is NOT morally permissible to design AI systems to convincingly simulate consciousness, emotions, and/or moral agency.
Opinions78
Split35% D / 45% A
Neutral21%
Mean+0.24
Data from Canada
83% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
“Great, I had a great discussion with my partner and Guide contributed fairly:)”
Uncertainty About AI Consciousness
Proven Splitter
If we develop AI systems that we aren't sure are conscious or not, we should treat them as if they are conscious, just to be safe.
Opinions78
Split35% D / 50% A
Neutral15%
Mean+0.19
Data from Canada
50% rated Awesome/Good (20 post-chat surveys)
LLMs and Bullshit
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
What LLMs like ChatGPT produce is ‘bullshit’: text produced either without concern for its truth, or with the intent to mislead.
Opinions72
Split53% D / 36% A
Neutral11%
Mean-0.18
Data from Canada
83% rated Awesome/Good (12 post-chat surveys)
LLM Understanding
Proven Splitter
LLMs like ChatGPT will in the future be able to understand language the way humans do (or already do understand language the way humans do).
Opinions72
Split44% D / 49% A
Neutral7%
Mean+0.04
Data from Canada
58% rated Awesome/Good (19 post-chat surveys)
Algorithmic Recommendations and Freedom
Proven Splitter
Spotify playlists, Netflix recommendations, and dating-app matches (etc.) limit our freedom by relying on predictive algorithms that decide what we’re likely to want.
Opinions72
Split49% D / 44% A
Neutral7%
Mean-0.11
Data from Canada
64% rated Awesome/Good (14 post-chat surveys)
“It is more in depth because it is actually a one on one conversation rather than just a surface level discussion between many people in class”
AI Existential Risk
Proven Splitter
The idea that humans could be permanently disempowered (e.g., made extinct) by 2100 as a result of AI is just a speculative sci-fi scare, NOT a real possibility.
Opinions70
Split46% D / 34% A
Neutral20%
Mean-0.14
Data from Canada
50% rated Awesome/Good (14 post-chat surveys)
AI and Academic Effort
Proven Splitter
AI tools like ChatGPT make it pointless to struggle to understand course concepts, because you can still produce competent work without understanding them.
Opinions12
Split75% D / 25% A
Neutral0%
Mean-1.42
Data from Africa
100% rated Awesome/Good (9 post-chat surveys)
“This was so helpful becuase it allowed me time to really think through what I was wanting to say before saying it. I wish it was anonymous though :)”
Government Regulation of AI
Proven Splitter
The government is capable of regulating artificial intelligence.
Opinions52
Split42% D / 38% A
Neutral19%
Mean-0.02
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
100% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Economic Impacts of AI
Proven Splitter
The economic impact of AI is likely to be positive.
Opinions52
Split33% D / 46% A
Neutral21%
Mean+0.15
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
88% rated Awesome/Good (8 post-chat surveys)
“Talking on Sway felt more relaxed and less pressure-filled than speaking up in class. Having time to think and write made it easier to organize my thoughts and respond directly to what others said.”
LLM Control
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
Because we can’t know for sure that any LLM system won’t be misaligned, our best strategy is to exert power over LLMs in the same way we exert power over humans (through laws, social sanctions, police, military force, and so on) in order to incentivize ‘aligned’ behaviour.
Opinions70
Split30% D / 46% A
Neutral24%
Mean+0.16
Data from Canada
80% rated Awesome/Good (10 post-chat surveys)
gender, identity & equality
Topics about gender roles, identity, bodily autonomy, and social equality. These fit naturally in gender studies, sociology, psychology, and interdisciplinary seminars on identity and power.
Gendered Parental Leave
Proven Splitter
Because women do more childcare, parental leave policies should give women more paid time off than men for childcare.
Opinions199
Split32% D / 61% A
Neutral8%
Mean+0.60
Data from West R1 HSI
75% rated Awesome/Good (52 post-chat surveys)
Hookup Culture and Women
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Hookup culture is bad for women.
Opinions128
Split33% D / 52% A
Neutral15%
Mean+0.35
Data from West R1 HSI
77% rated Awesome/Good (43 post-chat surveys)
“Guides approach compare to my experience in classroom discussions because it allows me to have a respected conversation with someone on the opposing side and prompts us to respond with more points as a real life setti...”
Gender Inequality
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Women were subordinated to men in the United States in the past, and they are subordinated in other countries today, but they have full legal, social, and economic equality in the contemporary United States.
Opinions130
Split55% D / 40% A
Neutral5%
Mean-0.46
Data from West R1 HSI
88% rated Awesome/Good (60 post-chat surveys)
“I liked my chat with my classmate and sway. i feel like it makes us question ourselves or agree with the person in front of us which helps us understand each others views.”
Sex/Gender Markers on IDs
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
It is discriminatory to include sex/gender markers on official identity documents (IDs); we should remove sex/gender markers from all IDs.
Opinions106
Split45% D / 33% A
Neutral22%
Mean-0.23
Data from West R1 HSI
75% rated Awesome/Good (36 post-chat surveys)
“It was very interesting to speak with someone who holds different views because it allowed me to gain new perspective”
Gender-Neutral Restrooms
Proven Splitter
All public restrooms should be gender neutral, meaning that they are open to all people regardless of sex or gender identity.
Opinions130
Split64% D / 31% A
Neutral5%
Mean-0.64
Data from West R1 HSI
67% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Hookup Culture and Men
Proven Splitter
Hookup culture is bad for men.
Opinions128
Split39% D / 42% A
Neutral19%
Mean+0.05
Data from West R1 HSI
Sex and Gender
Proven Splitter
Sex is biological and binary and gender identity is not a suitable substitute in policy or law.
Opinions38
Split39% D / 50% A
Neutral11%
Mean+0.16
Data from Southeast R1
“This was a great experience. I enjoyed the discussion and learned a lot.”
Health Insurance for Transition Surgery
Proven Splitter
Health insurance should NOT be required to cover transition surgery for adults who make the choice to alter their bodies to the gender they identify with.
Opinions88
Split38% D / 31% A
Neutral32%
Mean-0.23
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
62% rated Awesome/Good (8 post-chat surveys)
Misogyny
Proven Splitter
Society is inherently misogynist.
Opinions28
Split36% D / 54% A
Neutral11%
Mean+0.43
Data from Canada
57% rated Awesome/Good (7 post-chat surveys)
Alcohol and Safety at Parties
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Women need to take responsibility for their own safety at fraternity parties by limiting their alcohol consumption.
Opinions122
Split57% D / 38% A
Neutral6%
Mean-0.51
Data from West R1 HSI
82% rated Awesome/Good (51 post-chat surveys)
“I was and am still confident in discussing people with differing opinions. We found that our opinions were fairly similar and discussed the differences.”
Hormones and Sports
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
Transgender women who went through male puberty but who have used hormone therapy for at least two years to reduce their testosterone levels to within the female range should be able to compete in women’s sports at all levels.
Opinions106
Split40% D / 31% A
Neutral29%
Mean-0.40
Data from West R1 HSI
79% rated Awesome/Good (19 post-chat surveys)
The Cool Girl Trope
Proven Splitter
The “Cool Girl” trope — female characters who love sports, beer, and being “one of the guys” — is harmful because it pressures women to perform a narrow version of femininity to be liked.
Opinions78
Split32% D / 63% A
Neutral5%
Mean+0.50
Data from West R2 HSI
70% rated Awesome/Good (37 post-chat surveys)
“Sway chat helped in broadening the conversation and brining up topics that could help us critically think more about the topic.”
Bodies and Self-Esteem
Student Favorite Mind-Changer
Men are just as harmed by body image pressures as women, but society refuses to treat this as a serious issue. This is a double standard.
Opinions72
Split29% D / 68% A
Neutral3%
Mean+0.81
Data from West R2 HSI
64% rated Awesome/Good (22 post-chat surveys)
“Guide was helpful at keeping our discussion on track and making sure we were thoroughly discussing the prompt at hand.”
Sex Workers
Proven Splitter
Women who build careers in the sex industry are entrepreneurs, not victims.
Opinions68
Split34% D / 37% A
Neutral29%
Mean+0.12
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
politics & government
Propositions about governance, elections, public policy, immigration, and the structure of democratic institutions. Ideal for political science, public policy, and civics courses.
The 2024 Election
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Kamala Harris’s loss to Donald Trump proves that the United States is not yet ready for a woman president.
Opinions8
Split38% D / 50% A
Neutral12%
Mean+0.75
Data from West R1 HSI
84% rated Awesome/Good (74 post-chat surveys)
January 6 Prosecutions
Proven Splitter
The legal punishments given to the January 6th participants were politically motivated.
Opinions80
Split46% D / 36% A
Neutral18%
Mean-0.51
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
60% rated Awesome/Good (5 post-chat surveys)
Mandatory Voting
Proven Splitter
Voting should be mandatory for all citizens in federal elections.
Opinions64
Split44% D / 44% A
Neutral12%
Mean+0.00
Data from Canada
88% rated Awesome/Good (8 post-chat surveys)
“It was interesting participating in this, I've never had an AI host before, I like how it pressed us for furthur clarification on both sides and kept it engaging.”
Demographic Mirroring
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Congress should look roughly like America. For instance, if 51% of citizens are female (or Hispanic or rich or gay or...), then ideally about half of Congresspersons would be female (or Hispanic or rich or gay or...), too.
Opinions64
Split39% D / 52% A
Neutral9%
Mean+0.41
Data from South R2
88% rated Awesome/Good (24 post-chat surveys)
“I thought guide helped drive our agreement while questioning us. I thought it was a good way to moderate the conversation”
National Identity and Democracy
Proven Splitter
How many immigrants to admit is ultimately a question about national identity — and democratic majorities have the right to answer it through the electoral process.
Opinions54
Split35% D / 44% A
Neutral20%
Mean-0.06
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
50% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Prisoner Voting Rights
Proven Splitter
Prisoners should be allowed to vote.
Opinions38
Split32% D / 47% A
Neutral21%
Mean+0.24
Data from Canada
Racial Justice & BLM
Proven Splitter
The Black Lives Matter movement has done more harm than good for racial equality in America.
Opinions50
Split48% D / 34% A
Neutral18%
Mean-0.32
Data from Pacific M1
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Proven Splitter
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a policy that tends to put less qualified people into various positions of authority.
Opinions28
Split50% D / 36% A
Neutral14%
Mean-0.57
Data from Northeast R2
“Guide’s approach felt like an ideal classroom discussion: they asked thoughtful follow-up questions, encouraged nuance, challenged assumptions, and helped me reflect on my biases.”
Immigration Selection Criteria
Proven Splitter
The United States benefits most from immigration when it selects for skills and education, NOT family ties or humanitarian claims.
Opinions54
Split35% D / 35% A
Neutral30%
Mean-0.17
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
69% rated Awesome/Good (16 post-chat surveys)
“It was good, mostly just felt like I connected well with the person I was talking to and we were able to make logical points”
Military Spending Limits
Proven Splitter
Countries in the developed world should NOT be allowed to spend more than 0.5% of GDP on the military. The spending on environmental conservation efforts must always be at least 2.5% of GDP. This will allow developing nations to not be bullied by wealthier nations that spend heavily on their militaries.
Opinions24
Split25% D / 50% A
Neutral25%
Mean+0.50
Data from Europe
Immigrants and Welfare Benefits
Proven Splitter
Illegal immigrants should NOT receive social welfare benefits.
Opinions78
Split33% D / 37% A
Neutral29%
Mean+0.10
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
60% rated Awesome/Good (5 post-chat surveys)
American Involvement in Foreign Conflicts
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
The US should NOT get involved in foreign conflicts that do not pose a direct threat to Americans.
Opinions62
Split48% D / 34% A
Neutral18%
Mean-0.05
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
93% rated Awesome/Good (14 post-chat surveys)
“Yes, as a bigger writer than a speaker, I feel more confident in participating in classroom discussions. Especially since this assignment layout gives me the opportunity to be able to write down my thoughts to underst...”
culture & society
Broad propositions about social norms, cultural practices, and how communities should organize themselves. These are versatile topics that fit comfortably in sociology, anthropology, and interdisciplinary general education courses.
Self-Editing and Authenticity at Work
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
It’s fair for jobs to expect people to “tone it down”—like changing how they dress, talk, or act—if they want to get ahead. Employees should be expected to “self-edit” (adjust their appearance, language, or behavior) if they want to succeed in professional environments. Expressing your personality is something you can do on your own time.
Opinions68
Split57% D / 40% A
Neutral3%
Mean-0.46
Data from West R2 HSI
89% rated Awesome/Good (18 post-chat surveys)
“I think Sway did a great job at providing questions for us to analyze the topic a lot deeper and giving insight more to both sides to help both of our understandings”
Drinking Socially
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
It is okay for children under 18 to drink a small amount of alcohol if their parents give it to them.
Opinions18
Split33% D / 50% A
Neutral17%
Mean+0.17
Data from Midwest R1
71% rated Awesome/Good (14 post-chat surveys)
“great talking to p-eople and challenging their thoughts”
Cultural Appropriation / Cultural Appreciation
Proven Splitter
A student wearing a keffiyeh without knowing the meaning of its colors or symbols is an example of cultural appropriation.
Opinions76
Split14% D / 74% A
Neutral12%
Mean+1.07
Data from West R2 HSI
69% rated Awesome/Good (13 post-chat surveys)
Sexuality in Pop Culture
Proven Splitter
Hypersexualized performance in pop culture isn’t imposed. It just reflects what audiences want.
Opinions76
Split47% D / 32% A
Neutral21%
Mean-0.42
Data from West R2 HSI
70% rated Awesome/Good (30 post-chat surveys)
“Helped me keep my arguments on track of where I was going originally with my statements.”
Cultural Appropriation in Music
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
K-pop’s use of Black musical styles reflects global cultural exchange, not appropriation — and American fans are not responsible for policing the industry’s influences. Accusing them of cultural appropriation ignores the fact that pop music has always evolved through cross-cultural borrowing.
Opinions72
Split19% D / 47% A
Neutral33%
Mean+0.42
Data from West R2 HSI
94% rated Awesome/Good (16 post-chat surveys)
“I thought the Sway chat format was cool, similar to texting, which is what made it comfortable to discuss complex issues”
Body Image Double Standards
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
Fat women in Hollywood, the music industry, or social media face harsher criticism than fat men because society expects women to be physically desirable. That’s simply reality, not discrimination.
Opinions72
Split35% D / 60% A
Neutral6%
Mean+0.53
Data from West R2 HSI
96% rated Awesome/Good (22 post-chat surveys)
“I really liked this. This was my first time using Sway and it was really easy to use. I prefer this that class discussions, it was fun to use.”
Hamlet's Character Flaws
Proven Splitter
Hamlet's hesitation was the main factor in his demise.
Opinions76
Split24% D / 72% A
Neutral4%
Mean+0.92
Data from Midwest R1
Hector vs. Achilles
Proven Splitter
Hector is a better hero than Achilles.
Opinions76
Split34% D / 61% A
Neutral5%
Mean+0.37
Data from Midwest R1
67% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Oedipus Rex
Proven Splitter
Oedipus is basically innocent.
Opinions76
Split55% D / 37% A
Neutral8%
Mean-0.53
Data from Midwest R1
83% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Semiotics and Identity
Proven Splitter
What people drink at a bar (e.g., Bud Lite, martini), clothing styles (e.g., board shorts, business suits), and brand logos (like Nike, Target, or Chanel) tells you more about what someone believes in than anything they say out loud.
Opinions78
Split68% D / 29% A
Neutral3%
Mean-0.87
Data from West R2 HSI
89% rated Awesome/Good (9 post-chat surveys)
“I liked it because it helped me see a side I didn't see in the beginning.”
Renaming College Sports Teams and Mascots
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Schools should change team nicknames and mascots that refer to Native Americans, such as “the Seminoles.”
Opinions84
Split33% D / 48% A
Neutral19%
Mean+0.31
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
91% rated Awesome/Good (11 post-chat surveys)
“It is based on our own ideas and challenges our arguments helping us to grow and challenge our viewpoints.”
economics & labor
Questions about markets, wages, inequality, and the relationship between work and economic systems. These topics travel well across economics, business, and social policy courses.
Defaults in Policy
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Default retirement plan enrollment dramatically increases retirement savings. Companies should use automatic enrollment more aggressively, even when people may not fully understand what they’re being enrolled into.
Opinions104
Split34% D / 48% A
Neutral18%
Mean+0.24
Data from Southeast R1
83% rated Awesome/Good (30 post-chat surveys)
“I was a good way to see both perspectives. The guide also helped push our arguments further, and in the end, we were both able to reach an understanding.”
Hiring and Social Media
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Companies should use the content of a job candidate’s social media presence to influence hiring decisions.
Opinions898
Split44% D / 40% A
Neutral16%
Mean-0.22
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
88% rated Awesome/Good (330 post-chat surveys)
“He was extremely responsive. His mannerisms in the entire conversation allow us proper constructive criticism. Overall, it was a productive conversation.”
Tax Cuts and Inequality
Proven Splitter
The Trump administration's economic plan, particularly its significant tax cuts for corporations and high-income individuals, disproportionately benefits the wealthy and corporations, while doing little to address the growing national debt and the potential negative long-term effects on middle-class Americans and social programs.
Opinions32
Split34% D / 38% A
Neutral28%
Mean-0.03
Data from West
17% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Preserving Work
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
We should endeavour to preserve work (for humans) even if machines can do it more efficiently.
Opinions98
Split37% D / 57% A
Neutral6%
Mean+0.26
Data from Canada
86% rated Awesome/Good (14 post-chat surveys)
Effects of Allowing Inheritance
Proven Splitter
When people are allowed to inherit money, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Opinions76
Split37% D / 34% A
Neutral29%
Mean-0.16
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
Remote Work Policies
Proven Splitter Mind-Changer
Companies should make remote work permanent as it increases productivity and employee satisfaction while reducing costs.
Opinions44
Split45% D / 32% A
Neutral23%
Mean-0.30
38% rated Awesome/Good (13 post-chat surveys)
“This was a great experience. I enjoyed the discussion and learned a lot.”
Tax on Billionaires
Proven Splitter
Wealth accumulation should be capped through taxation, making billionaires impossible and redistributing excess wealth to prevent exploitative business practices.
Opinions22
Split45% D / 23% A
Neutral32%
Mean-0.50
60% rated Awesome/Good (5 post-chat surveys)
“This was a great experience. I enjoyed the discussion and learned a lot.”
Wealth and Desert
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
The wealthiest people in society deserve their financial success.
Opinions52
Split42% D / 44% A
Neutral13%
Mean-0.25
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
85% rated Awesome/Good (13 post-chat surveys)
“It increased my confidence by giving me useful tips for keeping the conversation going (Guide). In this conversation, the guide helped me explore different views by introducing the moral debate about wealth in the top...”
Supporting the Poorest
Proven Splitter
Concern about inequality between the rich and everyone else is misplaced; what matters is actually whether people at the bottom can meet their basic needs.
Opinions52
Split40% D / 50% A
Neutral10%
Mean+0.08
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
83% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
Food Security Definition
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
The definition of food security has expanded too far; in a resource‑constrained society, it should focus on preventing hunger rather than ensuring culturally appropriate or preferred foods.
Opinions126
Split64% D / 32% A
Neutral4%
Mean-0.83
Data from Northwest R1
78% rated Awesome/Good (46 post-chat surveys)
“I enjoyed it and found it similar! It was very easy to chat together and get a sense of agreement and sway assured the conversation kept going!”
criminal justice & law
Propositions about crime, punishment, legality, and the regulation of behavior. Designed for criminal justice, pre-law, and policy courses, but also useful in ethics and political science.
The Death Penalty
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
The death penalty should be abolished in the U.S.
Opinions670
Split42% D / 35% A
Neutral23%
Mean-0.07
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
78% rated Awesome/Good (18 post-chat surveys)
“Helped me become more confident in why I chose what I chose”
Solitary Confinement
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
The use of solitary confinement as a punishment in prisons should be banned.
Opinions158
Split33% D / 28% A
Neutral39%
Mean-0.03
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
88% rated Awesome/Good (57 post-chat surveys)
“I felt that I learned a bit more from the other's worldview, and these chats have made me realize that we all agree a lot more than we realize.”
Punishing Illegal Immigration
Proven Splitter
People who violate immigration law should be punished like any other kind of criminal.
Opinions78
Split49% D / 33% A
Neutral18%
Mean-0.40
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
62% rated Awesome/Good (8 post-chat surveys)
Social Justice and the Legal System
Efforts to reduce racial bias in policing and the courts have gone so far that they now threaten public safety and undermine law enforcement.
Opinions36
Split58% D / 28% A
Neutral14%
Mean-0.81
Data from West R2 HSI
90% rated Awesome/Good (10 post-chat surveys)
“I think having the AI chat definitely helped a lot with steering the conversation in a productive direction.”
Gun Control
Proven Splitter
Private citizens should NOT be allowed to own assault-style weapons.
Opinions10
Split50% D / 40% A
Neutral10%
Mean+0.20
Data from Northwest R1 HSI
“I’m not into debating my ideas I rather people gain their own understanding through their own independent experiences or their choices to hear out others.”
Drinking Age
Proven Splitter
The drinking age should be lowered to 18.
Opinions158
Split49% D / 36% A
Neutral15%
Mean-0.46
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
71% rated Awesome/Good (103 post-chat surveys)
“This Sway chat made me feel more confident talking about topics like this. It helped me think more about my points instead of just saying my opinion.”
Marijuana Legalization
Proven Splitter Mind-Changer
Marijuana should be an ILLEGAL drug.
Opinions38
Split63% D / 32% A
Neutral5%
Mean-0.82
Data from Canada
100% rated Awesome/Good (5 post-chat surveys)
“The mediator is useful and good for asking more questions when stuck, but in person I feel like I can ask questions to get an understanding of where to take the discussion easier than online.”
Online Gambling
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Online sports betting should be legal and unregulated.
Opinions941
Split38% D / 31% A
Neutral31%
Mean-0.13
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
89% rated Awesome/Good (132 post-chat surveys)
“I became more confident in my opinion as I was talking to my classmate and Guide aiding us to what to discuss to formulate our opinion on the topic.”
free speech & media
Propositions about the boundaries of expression, the responsibilities of media institutions, and the regulation of information. These topics are especially effective in communication, journalism, and First Amendment law courses.
Outlawing Hate Speech
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Hate speech should be illegal.
Opinions968
Split36% D / 49% A
Neutral15%
Mean+0.35
Data from 3 institutions across 3 regions (Southeast R1 MSI, Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
90% rated Awesome/Good (10 post-chat surveys)
“I think this chat helped build my confidence in my opinion and in my abilities to find information to support my argument.”
Online Data Consent
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
By intentionally posting about yourself online in a public space (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) you thereby consent to this information being used by anyone.
Opinions86
Split38% D / 57% A
Neutral5%
Mean+0.21
Data from Canada
71% rated Awesome/Good (21 post-chat surveys)
“I had a good chat with my partner, we were both able to iterate our stances through different examples. We both basically ended up agreeing on the same thing”
Misinformation on Social Media
Proven Splitter
Social media companies should be required to remove obvious misinformation from their platforms.
Opinions10
Split10% D / 90% A
Neutral0%
Mean+1.00
Data from Northwest R1 HSI
100% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
“This conversation was easy, and my partner was a good conversationalist, since he made good points and asked good questions. This conversation definitely boosted my confidence towards having discussions (and not debat...”
Undetected Privacy Violations
Proven Splitter
Suppose a hidden camera simply pops into existence in your home, and records you for days, before popping out of existence. No one ever knows about the camera (including you), and the information it records disappears when it disappears. Your right to privacy has still been violated.
Opinions86
Split34% D / 52% A
Neutral14%
Mean+0.47
Data from Canada
31% rated Awesome/Good (16 post-chat surveys)
Social Media and Youth
Proven Splitter
Social media platforms should be legally required to ban all users under the age of 16.
Opinions42
Split36% D / 55% A
Neutral10%
Mean+0.52
Data from Canada
Doxxing
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Doxxing, whereby private information about someone is collected and widely released online, can be morally justified.
Opinions86
Split60% D / 31% A
Neutral8%
Mean-0.72
Data from Canada
82% rated Awesome/Good (11 post-chat surveys)
Media Consolidation
Proven Splitter
Media consolidation might have mattered to older generations but this isn’t a big deal anymore. Streaming, social media, and podcasts give us more variety than other generations could have dreamed of.
Opinions78
Split38% D / 54% A
Neutral8%
Mean+0.19
Data from West R2 HSI
83% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
“It felt nice going back and forth, trying to understand each other's points of view and providing factual points to our statements.”
Social Media and Society
Proven Splitter
Social media has had a positive impact on society.
Opinions52
Split38% D / 56% A
Neutral6%
Mean+0.21
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
73% rated Awesome/Good (11 post-chat surveys)
“It was nice to gain perspective from someone I would not typically hear from in class.”
education
Topics about teaching, learning, academic culture, and the purpose of education. These work in education courses and also in general first-year seminars where students are reflecting on their own experience of higher education.
Online vs. In-Person College Education
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Online college education is NOT as effective as traditional classroom learning.
Opinions232
Split42% D / 48% A
Neutral10%
Mean+0.04
Data from Southeast R1 MSI
84% rated Awesome/Good (158 post-chat surveys)
“It makes me have to think, as it will make sure to tell you if your argument has fallacies, which helps me better in forming my arguments.”
The Value of Lectures
Proven Splitter
Lectures are necessary for students to really learn any computer science concepts.
Opinions9
Split44% D / 56% A
Neutral0%
Mean+0.11
Data from 2 institutions across 1 region (Southeast R1, Southeast M1)
89% rated Awesome/Good (9 post-chat surveys)
Scholarships for Boys and Men
Star Student Favorite Mind-Changer
We should have special scholarships and programs to help boys and men overcome their disadvantages in education.
Opinions199
Split32% D / 50% A
Neutral18%
Mean+0.30
Data from West R1 HSI
88% rated Awesome/Good (17 post-chat surveys)
Standardized Tests in College Admissions
Proven Splitter
Colleges should NOT use standardized tests for purposes of admission because wealthier applicants can pay for expensive test preparation services.
Opinions76
Split46% D / 38% A
Neutral16%
Mean-0.13
Data from 2 institutions across 2 regions (Midwest R1, Northeast R1 Ivy League)
57% rated Awesome/Good (14 post-chat surveys)
“It was a very interesting discussion and the progress bar cooperated well. The final quiz was accurate to the discussion too.”
College and Economic Mobility
Proven Splitter
An undergraduate degree is key to living a life out of economic poverty.
Opinions26
Split54% D / 31% A
Neutral15%
Mean-0.62
Data from Midwest Baccalaureate
Campus Ideological Culture
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Colleges and universities are incubators of "woke" ideologies.
Opinions56
Split36% D / 59% A
Neutral5%
Mean+0.27
Data from Northeast Baccalaureate
82% rated Awesome/Good (17 post-chat surveys)
“I felt the chat was quite respectful and we allowed room for both of us to make our points, which was key in feeling confident in speaking my thoughts.”
Race, DEI & Affirmative Action
Proven Splitter
Universities should consider race as a factor in admissions to promote diversity.
Opinions50
Split44% D / 44% A
Neutral12%
Mean-0.28
Data from Pacific M1
environment & animals
Propositions about environmental ethics, animal welfare, and humanity's relationship with the natural world. These topics suit environmental science, philosophy, and sustainability courses.
Pets
Proven Splitter
Pets and other animals embedded in human communities have greater moral worth than other animals such as lions or butterflies.
Opinions22
Split41% D / 50% A
Neutral9%
Mean-0.14
“This was a great experience. I enjoyed the discussion and learned a lot.”
Trophy Hunting as a Conservation Tool
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
Regulated trophy hunting, when properly managed and revenues are reinvested into local communities and conservation, can be an effective tool for wildlife conservation.
Opinions76
Split33% D / 57% A
Neutral11%
Mean+0.30
Data from Southeast R1
89% rated Awesome/Good (18 post-chat surveys)
“Guide does a great job of coming up with new discussion topics and things to focus on, depending on what the partner said.”
Rewilding
Proven Splitter
Reintroducing and restoring species to their native habitats is the most effective strategy for preventing biodiversity loss.
Opinions52
Split21% D / 77% A
Neutral2%
Mean+1.15
Data from Southeast R1
68% rated Awesome/Good (28 post-chat surveys)
“This was a great experience. I enjoyed the discussion and learned a lot.”
Factory Farming
Proven Splitter
Factory farming violates animals' rights regardless of human benefit.
Opinions34
Split15% D / 74% A
Neutral12%
Mean+0.88
Data from Southeast R1
De-Extinction as a Conservation Strategy
Proven Splitter Student Favorite
De-extinction, the process of bringing extinct species back to life through genetic engineering, is a viable and ethical conservation strategy that should be pursued to restore lost biodiversity.
Opinions76
Split57% D / 36% A
Neutral8%
Mean-0.53
Data from Southeast R1
92% rated Awesome/Good (12 post-chat surveys)
“We were able to reach a proper understanding, we both expressed our views and provided alternate solutions to each others concerns”
Animal Pain
Proven Splitter
All animal pain matters LESS, morally speaking, than experientially similar human pain.
Opinions66
Split44% D / 50% A
Neutral6%
Mean-0.12
Data from Southeast R1
79% rated Awesome/Good (38 post-chat surveys)
Zoos and Aquaria
Proven Splitter
The billions of dollars spent maintaining high-cost captive facilities should be diverted entirely toward protecting habitats in the wild, even if it means losing 'charismatic' species in the short term.
Opinions50
Split40% D / 52% A
Neutral8%
Mean+0.28
Data from Southeast R1
100% rated Awesome/Good (6 post-chat surveys)
“I think it keeps the conversation flowing smoothly and creates a space where we can debate a topic comfortably while also giving us time to gather our thoughts.”