Questions
997 questions in the encyclopedia.
Which are best: Shakespeare's comedies, tragedies, or histories?
Shakespeare's plays are the most famous in the western canon, and are regularly performed both by theatre companies and amateurs. His plays are typically split into three genres: comedies, histories, and tragedies. For many modern audiences, the comedies are the most enduring and enjoyable, but tragedies are widely studied academically, and Hamlet, generally seen as Shakespeare's greatest work, is a tragedy. Histories, dealing often with the lives of kings, are less popular with the public but provide a hugely important historical and historiographical resource, and can often contain both tragic and comedic elements. So, which are the best?
Which books should you read while self-isolating from coronavirus?
Books can be life-changing. They can be a form of escapism that give a unique perspective into lives, times, places and ideas we will never experience ourselves. Or, a way of learning new ways of thinking, being and approaching the world. With all this time now spare, what are the key texts we should be reading?
Which Doctor Who actor is the best?
Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction show ever, beloved in Britain and across the world. As The Doctor regenerates, a new actor is brought in to replace the last, with 13 regenerations so far. Of this selection of the most iconic doctors, which is your favourite?
Which far right groups back Donald Trump?
This entry maps which far-right groups have been associated with support for Donald Trump — among them the KKK, participants in the 'Unite the Right' rally, the Proud Boys, and the audience of Breitbart.
Which is better - imperial or metric?
Imperial or metric — which system of measurement is better? This entry sets out the two positions in the long-running debate — that the imperial system is better, and that the metric system is the superior one.
Which is the best Harry Potter character?
Which is the best Harry Potter character? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Severus Snape, Sirius Black, the Weasley twins, Hagrid, Dobby and Luna Lovegood.
Which is the best screen version of Sherlock Holmes?
Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed literary character in film and television history, with over 250 screen portrayals to date. It is impossible to fully rank all these adaptations, but which is your favourite out of these iconic 8?
Which is the best voting system?
From proportional representation to the ranked-choice system, there are many voting systems used throughout the world. Which is the best representation of citizen voices?
Which Real Housewives franchise is the best?
Which Real Housewives franchise reigns supreme? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Beverly Hills, Atlanta, New York City, Potomac, New Jersey, Orange County, Dallas and Miami.
Which social issues is the most serious among teenagers?
Which social issue weighs most heavily on teenagers today? This entry maps the contenders — sexual assault, mental health, climate change, and poverty and economic inequality — and the case for each as the most serious.
Which Star Wars movie is the best?
Star Wars is a film series loved by generations of fans around the world. Rich stories, characters, adventures have enthralled audiences. But which is the best film?
Which theory of international relations best explains the international system?
International relations scholarship offers a number of perspectives to explain the causes of war, international trade, and the overall behavior of the nation-state. Which theory gives us the most accurate representation of the international system?
Which was the best Call of Duty release?
Which is the best Call of Duty game ever released? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Modern Warfare and its sequel, Call of Duty 2, Black Ops, Advanced Warfare, Warzone and Black Ops 4.
Who bore responsibility for the start of World War I?
Lasting from 1914 to 1918, World War 1 claimed over 16 million lives, bolstered military technology, and brought world powers to the European theater to fight till ultimate destruction. Who can be blamed for the carnage seen throughout this conflict?
Who is Greta Thunberg?
Who is Greta Thunburg? Greta has emerged as the face of environmentalism, igniting a global movement for climate change. Is Greta a force for change, a distraction from the real issue, a wolf in sheep's clothing, or a weapon of the left? Should we even care about her at all?
Who is James Bond?
From the beginning of the James Bond movie franchise in 1962, 007 has proved to be a long-lasting cultural icon. The spy for the U.K. Secret Service has now starred in 26 movies, accruing many high-tech gadgets and charming huge amounts of women as he goes. But who is James Bond? Is he a hero? A villain? A symbol of a time gone by? Or totally irrelevant?
Who is Joe Biden's best pick as Vice President?
In the run up to the US presidential election, all eyes are on who Democratic presumptive nominee, Joe Biden, will pick as his second in command. This is a crucial decision in his campaign and has the potential to make or break his victory in the upcoming election.
Who is Prince Philip?
The controversial figure is known as much for his controversial comments, as loyalty to Queen and country. But who really is he? An ancient deity? A hideous racist? Or a simple family man and national treasure?
Who is responsible for the Holocaust?
Across German-occupied Europe, Nazi German collaborators proved successful in their destruction of two-thirds of European Jewry: systematically murdering six million Jews and five million non-Jews. But, who is truly culpable for this mass murder of eleven million people?
Who is the best baseball player of all time?
Baseball, since the late 19th Century, has been a quintessential American pastime and, today, the MLB serves as the second-most popular major North American sports league. Within such a long and storied history of outstanding individual performances, many baseball fans naturally gravitate toward this question. From the absolutely reality-defying sluggers, pitchers, outfielders, and catchers, who is the best baseball player of all time?
Who is the best basketball player of all time?
Basketball is one of the most popular and storied sports in the world. For decades, the world's best basketball players have achieved international fame and glory through their performances on the court, in some cases becoming true global icons. As successive eras of basketball superstars have passed, the debate over which player is the greatest of all time has evolved with ever-increasing complexity and passion. Taking into account championships, records, accolades, statistics, and impact on the game, which player stands above all the rest? Who is the greatest NBA player of all time?
Who is the best BTS member?
Is RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, or Jungkook the best member of BTS? The most successful band in the world right now, BTS crosses cultural barriers and are famous not only in their native South Korea, but all over the world. Every fan has their own favorite, who is yours?
Who is the best rapper of all time?
Rap is a music genre that has evolved over time into one of the most popular forms of music the world over. And to excel at the rap game requires style, a way with words and lyrics, verbal gymnastics, ability to entertain, and many other skills. So who has the best rap game? Who has done the most for the craft? Who has had the biggest impact on our hearts and minds?
Who is the best Simpsons character?
Who is the best character in The Simpsons? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Homer and Lisa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Principal Skinner, Chief Wiggum, Milhouse and Troy McClure.
Who is the best Tottenham Hotspur manager of all time?
Who is the greatest manager in Tottenham Hotspur's history? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Bill Nicholson, Arthur Rowe, Harry Redknapp, Jose Mourinho and Martin Jol.
Who is the founder of Christianity?
Who truly founded Christianity? This entry maps the contending answers — Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul, and figures such as Abraham, Moses and James the Just — each argued to be the religion's real founder.
Who is the greatest cellist of all time?
The cello is a string instrument known for its soulful, singing, almost human voice like sound, and can be found soloing, in chamber music, or as one of the foundation pieces of a symphony orchestra. A number of players have transformed the cello into the solo voice that it is today. But of them, who is the greatest?
Who is the greatest tennis player of all time?
Tennis is a truly international sport, with great players from many different nations competing at tournaments across the globe to determine the best. The sport's preponderance of prestigious championships has allowed many different players to compile glittering records of achievements. But what matters most - major titles, peak form, contemporaneous competition, or something else entirely? And in consideration of it all, which player stands above the rest as the greatest to ever pick up a racquet?
Who is the greatest Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper of all time?
Goalkeepers are often relegated to the sidelines of history, and yet many long argued that theirs is the most important role in any football team. With Tottenham's current goalkeeper currently captaining the team, and his predecessors recognised for their superlative playing - who is the greatest Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper of all time?
Who is the greatest Tottenham Hotspur striker of all time?
White Hart Lane - the North London heartland of football club Tottenham Hotspur - has been home to many world class strikers since the team was established in 1882. But who is the team's greatest striker of all time>?
Who is the most handsome BTS member?
A favourite debate among fans of the K-pop group BTS: who is the most handsome member? This entry sets out the cases for the contenders, among them Jungkook and RM, and what each fan camp argues.
Who is the most powerful person of all time?
Throughout history, many people have lived their lives pursuing power. While many fail, some become successful beyond their wildest dreams and wield levels of power unimaginable to most people. From heads of state to business leaders, religious leaders, and intellectual leaders, who was the most powerful person of all time?
Who is the most progressive Black Panther character?
Which character in Black Panther is the most progressive? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them T'Challa, Erik Killmonger, Shuri, Okoye, Nakia, Ramonda and T'Chaka.
Who killed John F. Kennedy?
On November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Decades later, his death is still considered one of the biggest mysteries of American history. Despite the Warren Commission concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated JFK, there is still a conspiracy surrounding whether or not he was the actual assassin, and if he was working alone. Who actually assassinated John F. Kennedy, and were they working for a larger organization?
Who shot first, Han or Greedo?
One of Star Wars fandom's most enduring controversies, born of a contested edit to the cantina scene: did Han Solo shoot first, or did Greedo? This entry sets out the cases for each reading.
Who should be able to experience commercial space flight?
With commercial spaceflight on the horizon, who should be allowed to take part? This entry maps the positions on the question — that it should be limited to the young and healthy, to those who can afford it, or open to everyone.
Who should be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee?
The Democrats are preparing to beat Donald Trump in the 2020 US Presidential election. While united by party, the contenders are divided on how they plan to take the US forward. So, who are the possible top candidates? What are their policies and what do they represent? And could they beat Donald Trump in an election?
Who should bear the cost of public tertiary education?
The cost of tertiary education varies across the world. With many expenses to cover including room and board, basic utilities and salaries for professors, how should these operating costs be funded? This debate revolves around equity, socio-economic factors, and the role of tertiary education in society.
Who should have Harry Potter ended up with?
Harry Potters love interests were a story line and point of interest for many who have read the Harry Potters novels. Many who have read the books will have strong feelings about who Harry should have ended up with romatically.
Who should pay for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security?
On March 31 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially ceased to be senior members of the royal family. Their decision to step down from royal duties comes at a price. Their high security detail is alleged to have cost the UK taxpayer upwards of $9 million. No longer entitled to any public protection, and now based in Los Angeles, some argue the couple must foot the bill themselves. Others call this irresponsible, and say the state - wherever they live - should pay.
Who should win the Georgia Senate runoffs?
Georgia's 2021 Senate runoffs would decide control of the US Senate. This entry maps the positions on which party should prevail, setting out the cases that both Democrats should win, and that one or both Republicans should.
Who should you help during the coronavirus pandemic?
With death tolls mounting, hospitals overflowing, unemployment skyrocketing, and much of the population confined to their homes, there is no shortage of people in need. But who should you help during the coronavirus pandemic? Where are the efforts best spent in order to do the most good?
Who was Jack the Ripper?
Jack the Ripper was one of the most notorious serial killers in history. In 1888, the Ripper was suspected of brutally killing at least five women in and around the Whitechapel district in the East End of London. The Ripper killings were the focus of an intensive police investigation and garnered enormous attention from the public and media, but the case went unsolved, and the identity of the Ripper remains a subject of widespread debate over a century later. So who was Jack the Ripper? Was he one of the contemporaneous suspects, or one revealed by historical and scientific research? Was he even a man - or, for that matter, was he real at all?
Who was Rasputin?
This entry maps the legends and theories surrounding Grigori Rasputin, mystic to Russia's last royal family — from claims of hypnotic spiritual powers to fringe tales that he was an immortal, an alien, or a British plant.
Who was Shakespeare?
"What's in a name?" one of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers asked. When it comes to the identity of the greatest writer in the English language, a great deal. That mantle has long been bestowed on a glover's son from Stratford-Upon-Avon. But since the 19th century, there have been doubts over William Shakespeare's identity as the writer of the works attributed to the playwright. Was the Bard from Stratford a front for another writer? Was he just one participant in a collective group of writers? Or was he a she?
Who was the best Bat Man?
Who played the best Batman? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and the voice actors who brought the character to animation.
Who was the best James Bond?
Many different actors have portrayed the iconic protagonist of one of the longest-running and most successful franchises in film history. Whose version of 007 was the best?
Who was the fifth man, in the Cambridge spy ring?
The Cambridge spy ring betrayed British secrets to the Soviets — but who was its elusive 'fifth man'? This entry gathers the names put forward, among them Baron Rothschild, Leonard Henry, Guy Liddell and Andrew Gow.
Who was the worst Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?
Hogwarts churned through a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher every year. This entry gathers the cases for the worst of them — among them Quirrell, Umbridge, Snape, the impostor Moody and Lupin.
Who were the Sea People who attacked Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age Collapse?
During the 12th Century BC sea-faring invaders contributed to what is known as the Late Bronze Age Collapse. Greece, Egypt, the Levant, and the Hittites were all impacted. Known in the Egyptian sources as a confederation of ethnic groups, the identity and origins of the Sea People is contested.