Our DilemmaMatch app is a unique way to find out what others around the world think about a whole range of topics – from the light-hearted, to more serious issues. And as well as being fun to use, it can help stir up quite a heated debate too! Take a recent Dilemma of the Day: “30 yrs ago this week the Chernobyl nuclear plant exploded. Should we still build nuclear power stations?”
DilemmaMatch: the power of debate
The question of nuclear power is a major dilemma, especially for Western countries like the UK. Under-investment in alternative forms of energy will leave the UK with an energy gap, just as has recently occurred in Venezuela. Renewables such as wind, solar and wave power are increasingly popular, but none are yet able to fill this looming energy gap 24/7. Should the UK continue burning fossil fuels like coal and gas that contribute to climate change, or should they build new nuclear power stations – with all the possible risks that involves? What has the world learnt from Chernobyl?
DilemmaMatch users reacting directly to the Dilemma of the Day told us that 56% were against nuclear power stations. The remaining 44% clearly think otherwise.
When we published this dilemma on Facebook, there was a storm of interest. More than 30,000 people viewed the post in just 24 hours, and it was shared almost 50 times. Some 380 users reacted to the post, with nearly 200 adding their own comments and opinions. The DilemmaMatch community had once again started their own debate – and there were strong opinions on both sides! Some provided great new insights, others argued on behalf of the technology (existing, and future), and many defended the environment. All in all, a fascinating read, and an amazing response to a straightforward question. An illustration of just how powerful such a dilemma can be in the minds of the public – and how our DilemmaMatch app can help you join the debate.
Types of dilemma
But just what is a dilemma? Although there are many definitions, the word ‘dilemma’ is used to describe ‘a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable.’
Dilemmas can be straightforward: Do we eat out tonight, or dine at home? But if you want to be pedantic, the word ‘dilemma’ should really only be used when a tricky choice is involved – not just a choice between a couple of options. Dilemmas are created when we are forced to make a choice between ‘the worst of two worlds.’ A really great example can be found in the film ‘127 Hours’. This tells the true story of Aron Dalston who had to decide between severing his own forearm to free himself after a climbing accident, or to do nothing and remain trapped – until he died. Not a choice many of us would like to make.
But what about if a truck driver’s brakes fail, and he has two options: To bring his vehicle to a halt he can either steer towards the left side of the road where a single person is walking, or steer towards the other side where a family group is standing? This dilemma involves an ethical/moral element.
Or you may have come across ‘Warnock’s dilemma’. Used in Internet jargon, the term suggests there can be a number of reasons why there’s no reaction to a message on Internet. A lack of reaction doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no interest in the message, or that it’s not been read. It could instead be that no commentary is needed – in other words, there’s nothing more to be said. Or perhaps no-one understands the message or they think it’s nonsense, or even that no-one is willing to react for whatever reason. There’s no right or wrong in this form of dilemma – and often no solution. Politicians and economists often struggle with this type of dilemma, think for instance of the Grexit issue.
DilemmaMatch app: ask the world!
The emphasis in our DilemmaMatch app is more nuanced – it’s not always a question of choosing between two ‘bad’ or two negative choices, but rather about finding out how others think about a whole variety of topics. As well as answering dilemmas, you can give reasons why you make a particular choice or have a certain opinion. And as we’ve seen with our Chernobyl dilemma, it can lead to a lively discussion on important and topical issues!
DilemmaMatch can help you come into contact with people who have similar opinions too. DilemmaMatch’s unique matching algorithim finds links between like-minded users on Facebook.
In other words, DilemmaMatch’s approach is completely different to that used by other social media platforms: (and if you dare to be honest!) you’ll be rewarded with a greater insight into how others see the world, and can find out what other people think about topics of interest to you, or which are important to you.
So take up the challenge, and join the debate! Start creating more dilemmas if you already use the app, or join the DilemmaMatch community today and download DilemmaMatch for iOS or Android. It’s your chance to ask the world!
