Discussion Class

Discussion Class Topics

- Friday the 26th of June -

(12pm)

- Japan's royal family succession problem -

Japan's royal/imperial family is in crisis. The current emperor has no son, and under current law, it seems that his daughter cannot take the throne to become empress. The current emperor's brother (Prince Akishino) would be next in line, but he also has 2 daughters, and his last child was a son. Until he was born, there had not been a male heir born into the royal family in over 40 years.

This started raising questions about succession: who should take the throne after the current emperor passes away/retires?

Why is it not possible/acceptable for the daughter of the current emperor to become empress?

Japan has had empresses before, so it isn't a new idea. But the government seems against this idea, is desperately trying to figure out how they can try to change the succession laws to get a male line succession.

Why is it so important? Is it rooted in historical sexism/patriarchy?

If we are talking about blood, why is Princess Akiko's blood lesser than Prince Akishino's? If Akiko has a child, why would her child not be considered heir to the throne? The blood line all the way back to Jimmu is still there.

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Let's discuss this!

- Friday the 26th of June -

(8pm)

- Pride month...why? -

Starting back in 1970, June became the month to celebrate being LGBTQ+. The reason being the anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

However, today, Pride events are a month long celebration of being part of the LGBTQ+ community. There are parades, concerts, etc, all over the world. Supporters say it's a celebration of being who they are and not being ashamed of their sexuality. But critics say it's just a self indulgent self obsessed party of degeneracy. Pride events often openly display explicit sexual acts and nudity.

The problem comes when you ask why it is necessary. The second you ask that question, people from the LGBTQ+ community label you as a homophobe or a bigot. If you ask when we can celebrate being straight, you are attacked and told that every day is "straight pride".

So why is it so important, if at all? Do you think Pride is necessary in 2026 and beyond? What does Pride actually do? Does it help the community? How does it help them? Or is Pride just a sin, that comes before a fall?

Some people argue that Pride is just a step into making even more extreme sexualities (for example, pedophilia) more socially acceptable.

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Let's discuss this!

- Saturday the 27th of June-

(3pm)

- Should AI Be More Tightly Controlled By Governments? -

New technologies often spur public anxiety, but the intensity of concern about the implications of advances in artificial intelligence (AI) is particularly noteworthy. Several respected scholars and technology leaders warn that AI is on the path to turning robots into a master class that will subjugate humanity, if not destroy it. Others fear that AI is enabling governments to mass produce autonomous weapons—“killing machines”—that will choose their own targets, including innocent civilians. Renowned economists point out that AI, unlike previous technologies, is destroying many more jobs than it creates, leading to major economic disruptions.

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Let's discuss this!