Cavemen vs. Astronauts Debate: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|'''Spike:''' Look, if cavemen and astronauts got into a fight, who would win?<br />
{{quote|'''Spike:''' Look, if cavemen and astronauts got into a fight, who would win?<br />
'''Wes:''' Oh. You've been yelling at each other for forty minutes about this. [[[Beat]]] Do the astronauts have weapons?<br />
'''Wes:''' Oh. You've been yelling at each other for forty minutes about this. [[[Beat]]] Do the astronauts have weapons?<br />
'''Angel & Spike:''' NO!|''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'', "A Hole in the World"}}
'''Angel & Spike:''' NO!|''[[Angel]]'', "A Hole in the World"}}


When a [[Seinfeldian Conversation]] becomes [[Serious Business]].
When a [[Seinfeldian Conversation]] becomes [[Serious Business]].
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Needless to say, [[Truth in Television]] - just see [[Unpleasable Fanbase]], [[Broken Base]], and [[Base Breaker]] for a number of media-centric examples. Frequently overlaps with [[Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny]].
Needless to say, [[Truth in Television]] - just see [[Unpleasable Fanbase]], [[Broken Base]], and [[Base Breaker]] for a number of media-centric examples. Frequently overlaps with [[Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny]].


Not to be confused with the 1960s Astronauts in Caveman Days comedy ''[[It's About Time (TV)|Its About Time]]''. Or a [[Ginger or Mary Ann]] debate. Not related to [[Ancient Astronauts]].
Not to be confused with the 1960s Astronauts in Caveman Days comedy ''[[It's About Time|Its About Time]]''. Or a [[Ginger or Mary Ann]] debate. Not related to [[Ancient Astronauts]].
{{examples}}
{{examples}}


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== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* One ''[[Animorphs (Literature)|Animorphs]]'' book informs us that, when they were younger, Jake and Marco would spend entire afternoons arguing about whether or not cheese tastes yellow (Marco thought it tasted sorta green). Now that they're older, they have more serious, adult debates, like Who Would Win: [[Spider-Man (Comic Book)|Spider-Man]] or [[Batman]]?
* One ''[[Animorphs]]'' book informs us that, when they were younger, Jake and Marco would spend entire afternoons arguing about whether or not cheese tastes yellow (Marco thought it tasted sorta green). Now that they're older, they have more serious, adult debates, like Who Would Win: [[Spider-Man (Comic Book)|Spider-Man]] or [[Batman]]?
* In Jonathan Swift's ''[[Gullivers Travels]]'', there is a war waging between people who break their hard-boiled egg at the fat end (the "big-endians"), and those who break it at the narrow end.
* In Jonathan Swift's ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'', there is a war waging between people who break their hard-boiled egg at the fat end (the "big-endians"), and those who break it at the narrow end.
** This has spilled over into an analogous war within [[Real Life]] computer science. Some CPUs, such as the Intel x86-compatibles, store multi-byte values with the low-order byte first; other CPUs, such as the Motorola 68000 series, store multi-byte values with the high-order byte first. When multi-byte data from one computer is sent to another, e.g. over a network, the two computers had better agree on which way to encode the data or it could end up mangled. To this day, these two strategies are officially called "little-endian" and "big-endian", respectively, and result in just as much animosity as their Gulliverian namesakes.
** This has spilled over into an analogous war within [[Real Life]] computer science. Some CPUs, such as the Intel x86-compatibles, store multi-byte values with the low-order byte first; other CPUs, such as the Motorola 68000 series, store multi-byte values with the high-order byte first. When multi-byte data from one computer is sent to another, e.g. over a network, the two computers had better agree on which way to encode the data or it could end up mangled. To this day, these two strategies are officially called "little-endian" and "big-endian", respectively, and result in just as much animosity as their Gulliverian namesakes.
* In Cassandra Clare's "[[Mortal Instruments]]": Dumbledore or Magnus Bane?
* In Cassandra Clare's "[[Mortal Instruments]]": Dumbledore or Magnus Bane?
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== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==
* The ''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'' episode "A Hole in the World" is the [[Trope Namer]]. Wesley walks in on Spike and Angel after they've spent 40 minutes shouting at each other about who would win in a fight between cavemen and astronauts. Pretty soon every one in the show is getting in on the act; {{spoiler|"cavemen win" is even one character's last words}}.
* The ''[[Angel]]'' episode "A Hole in the World" is the [[Trope Namer]]. Wesley walks in on Spike and Angel after they've spent 40 minutes shouting at each other about who would win in a fight between cavemen and astronauts. Pretty soon every one in the show is getting in on the act; {{spoiler|"cavemen win" is even one character's last words}}.
* On ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'', Ted brings a picture that could either be a rabbit or a duck to make a point about how a date might seem right for someone but turn out to be wrong, and vice-versa. Then the gang disagrees over which represented the bad choice, the duck or the rabbit. According to Older Ted, it was the longest, most intense argument they've ever had.
* On ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'', Ted brings a picture that could either be a rabbit or a duck to make a point about how a date might seem right for someone but turn out to be wrong, and vice-versa. Then the gang disagrees over which represented the bad choice, the duck or the rabbit. According to Older Ted, it was the longest, most intense argument they've ever had.
** When Barney and Robin date each other, their relationship seems to be full of these sorts of arguments. Barney once dared Robin to stab a knife through his chest over a fight about which of them should clean the dishes.
** When Barney and Robin date each other, their relationship seems to be full of these sorts of arguments. Barney once dared Robin to stab a knife through his chest over a fight about which of them should clean the dishes.
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* The [[Spike TV]] show ''[[Deadliest Warrior]]'' is ALL ABOUT this trope. The premise of the show is to pit two types of "Warriors" from different time periods against each other to see who would win; it is almost ''embarrassing'' to see how seriously some of the experts think their warrior is just the best.
* The [[Spike TV]] show ''[[Deadliest Warrior]]'' is ALL ABOUT this trope. The premise of the show is to pit two types of "Warriors" from different time periods against each other to see who would win; it is almost ''embarrassing'' to see how seriously some of the experts think their warrior is just the best.
** Subverted from time to time, though. Occasionally [[Manipulative Editing]] is used to make things look more hostile than they actually are, and in a few cases (SWAT vs. GSG9, SEALs vs. Israeli Commandos) the teams acknowledge that they don't REALLY hate each other.
** Subverted from time to time, though. Occasionally [[Manipulative Editing]] is used to make things look more hostile than they actually are, and in a few cases (SWAT vs. GSG9, SEALs vs. Israeli Commandos) the teams acknowledge that they don't REALLY hate each other.
* There is an episode of [[Married With Children]] in which a riot breaks out amongst the members of NOMAAM over the question of who starred in the first lite beer commercial.
* There is an episode of [[Married... with Children]] in which a riot breaks out amongst the members of NOMAAM over the question of who starred in the first lite beer commercial.
* In the ''[[Cheers]]'' episode "The Triangle," the bar regulars (who frequently debate mundane topics) get into an intense discussion of Roadrunner-Coyote cartoons. The argument escalates from whether the coyote is obsessed or simply hungry, to whether his ability to survive falling off a cliff indicates he's the Antichrist.
* In the ''[[Cheers]]'' episode "The Triangle," the bar regulars (who frequently debate mundane topics) get into an intense discussion of Roadrunner-Coyote cartoons. The argument escalates from whether the coyote is obsessed or simply hungry, to whether his ability to survive falling off a cliff indicates he's the Antichrist.
* In ''[[Community (TV)|Community]]'' Jeff and Britta spend an entire evening arguing with each other over which of two bars is better. This already inconsequential argument infuriates Troy when it turns out that because the bar doesn't have an actual name, they're talking about ''the same bar'', but don't realize because they're referring to it by different distinguishing features.
* In ''[[Community]]'' Jeff and Britta spend an entire evening arguing with each other over which of two bars is better. This already inconsequential argument infuriates Troy when it turns out that because the bar doesn't have an actual name, they're talking about ''the same bar'', but don't realize because they're referring to it by different distinguishing features.
** And again when it comes out that Jeff is the only member of the study group that dislikes the Barenaked Ladies. Hilariously, they're having this argument at the exact same time they're arguing over something actually important, and treating it with more gravity.
** And again when it comes out that Jeff is the only member of the study group that dislikes the Barenaked Ladies. Hilariously, they're having this argument at the exact same time they're arguing over something actually important, and treating it with more gravity.
* A running joke in Ricky Gervais' ''[[Extras (TV)|Extras]]''. The main character and his best friend would ask each other questions like, "what would you rather be? A penguin, where you are a bird but you can't fly, or a flying fish where you can fly but you're still a fish." Once or twice an episode.
* A running joke in Ricky Gervais' ''[[Extras]]''. The main character and his best friend would ask each other questions like, "what would you rather be? A penguin, where you are a bird but you can't fly, or a flying fish where you can fly but you're still a fish." Once or twice an episode.
* ''[[Myth Busters (TV)|Myth Busters]]'' addressed one of these that was going on at their own website; namely "Can a plane take off if it's on a conveyor belt running in the opposite direction?" They tested it, and concluded that yes, it can; forward motion is driven by the propeller and how the wheels interact with the ground is irrelevant.
* ''[[Myth Busters]]'' addressed one of these that was going on at their own website; namely "Can a plane take off if it's on a conveyor belt running in the opposite direction?" They tested it, and concluded that yes, it can; forward motion is driven by the propeller and how the wheels interact with the ground is irrelevant.
** ''[[Myth Busters]]'' in general plays host to a lot of myths born of such subjects. Particularly trying to test the legitimacy of taking idioms literally.
** ''[[Myth Busters]]'' in general plays host to a lot of myths born of such subjects. Particularly trying to test the legitimacy of taking idioms literally.
* ''[[Supernatural (TV)|Supernatural]]'': Sam and Dean Winchester have their own version of this as shown in the episode "Death's Door" with Chuck Norris vs. Jet Li.
* ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'': Sam and Dean Winchester have their own version of this as shown in the episode "Death's Door" with Chuck Norris vs. Jet Li.
* [[Have I Got News for You]]: Quite often Paul Merton would indulge in this; once having a (seemingly) aggressive shouting match with Arthur Smith over whether or not you should put tomato sauce on baked beans.
* [[Have I Got News for You]]: Quite often Paul Merton would indulge in this; once having a (seemingly) aggressive shouting match with Arthur Smith over whether or not you should put tomato sauce on baked beans.


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* ''[[The Venture Brothers]]'': [[Who Would Win]] in a fight, Lizzie Borden or Anne Frank?
* ''[[The Venture Brothers]]'': [[Who Would Win]] in a fight, Lizzie Borden or Anne Frank?
** Henchmen #21 and #24 seem to have these debates a lot. Another episode showed them arguing over whether or not [[The Smurfs|Smurfs]] lay eggs.
** Henchmen #21 and #24 seem to have these debates a lot. Another episode showed them arguing over whether or not [[The Smurfs|Smurfs]] lay eggs.
** Not only 21 and 24, but the creative minds behind the show themselves have these kind of debates all the time. In one [[Word of God|commentary track]] Doc references a heated argument they had about what woman was hotter: [[Fiona Apple (Music)|Fiona Apple]] or Jewel. Another time on a convention panel, a fan wanted to know their opinions on the Lizzie Borden v. Anne Frank debate but accidently asked their opinions on a ''Helen Keller'' v. Anne Frank debate. [http://video.adultswim.com/the-venture-bros/the-venture-bros-dragon-con-panel-2009.html The results can be seen here at 6:49].
** Not only 21 and 24, but the creative minds behind the show themselves have these kind of debates all the time. In one [[Word of God|commentary track]] Doc references a heated argument they had about what woman was hotter: [[Fiona Apple]] or Jewel. Another time on a convention panel, a fan wanted to know their opinions on the Lizzie Borden v. Anne Frank debate but accidently asked their opinions on a ''Helen Keller'' v. Anne Frank debate. [http://video.adultswim.com/the-venture-bros/the-venture-bros-dragon-con-panel-2009.html The results can be seen here at 6:49].
* ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' has the ever-continuing 'best pony' debate.
* ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' has the ever-continuing 'best pony' debate.
** The answer is clearly {{spoiler|Pinkie Pie.}}
** The answer is clearly {{spoiler|Pinkie Pie.}}
* In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode 'Homer at the Bat,' Wade Boggs is knocked out cold by Barney after the two argue over who's the best British Prime Minister of all time.
* In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode 'Homer at the Bat,' Wade Boggs is knocked out cold by Barney after the two argue over who's the best British Prime Minister of all time.
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** Who cares, Pod 6 was full of jerks anyway.
** Who cares, Pod 6 was full of jerks anyway.
* In Drakken's debut episode of ''[[Kim Possible]]'', he is shocked to find out that Kim is Dr. Possible's daughter, {{spoiler|Dr. Possible having been someone he knew in high school and one of the people he is attempting to take revenge upon}}. When Ron (who is currently Drakken's prisoner) makes fun of him for not making the connection, Drakken defends himself on the basis that "Possible is a very common last name." Drakken ends up leaving the room in order to get a phone book just to back up his argument, causing him to miss the fact that rescuers are breaking into the building.
* In Drakken's debut episode of ''[[Kim Possible]]'', he is shocked to find out that Kim is Dr. Possible's daughter, {{spoiler|Dr. Possible having been someone he knew in high school and one of the people he is attempting to take revenge upon}}. When Ron (who is currently Drakken's prisoner) makes fun of him for not making the connection, Drakken defends himself on the basis that "Possible is a very common last name." Drakken ends up leaving the room in order to get a phone book just to back up his argument, causing him to miss the fact that rescuers are breaking into the building.
* In the ''[[Futurama]]'' episode "Why Must I Be A Crustacean In Love?", Zoidberg discusses "[[Gladiator Games|the ceremony of Claw-Plach]], where my species [[Duel to The Death|fight to the death]] over matters of honor. Also whether abbreviations count in Scrabble. ''They don't!''"
* In the ''[[Futurama]]'' episode "Why Must I Be A Crustacean In Love?", Zoidberg discusses "[[Gladiator Games|the ceremony of Claw-Plach]], where my species [[Duel to the Death|fight to the death]] over matters of honor. Also whether abbreviations count in Scrabble. ''They don't!''"
* In an episode of ''[[G.I. Joe]]'', the Dreadnoks can be seen in the background having come to blows over whether breath mints or candy mints are better. (Or if one product was a breath mint or a candy mint.)
* In an episode of ''[[G.I. Joe]]'', the Dreadnoks can be seen in the background having come to blows over whether breath mints or candy mints are better. (Or if one product was a breath mint or a candy mint.)


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** Debatable, since it was moving FORWARD on the treadmill, still generating lift. (Oh god I'm starting the trope inside the trope.)
** Debatable, since it was moving FORWARD on the treadmill, still generating lift. (Oh god I'm starting the trope inside the trope.)
*** No, you're just conceding defeat. The argument is that the treadmill would keep the plane from moving forward.
*** No, you're just conceding defeat. The argument is that the treadmill would keep the plane from moving forward.
** Randall Munroe of [[Xkcd (Webcomic)|Xkcd]] explains it all [http://blog.xkcd.com/2008/09/09/the-goddamn-airplane-on-the-goddamn-treadmill/ here]. (Short answer: {{spoiler|The question is ambiguous}}. Shorter answer: {{spoiler|Yes}}.)
** Randall Munroe of [[Xkcd]] explains it all [http://blog.xkcd.com/2008/09/09/the-goddamn-airplane-on-the-goddamn-treadmill/ here]. (Short answer: {{spoiler|The question is ambiguous}}. Shorter answer: {{spoiler|Yes}}.)
* Pirates vs Ninjas. That is all.
* Pirates vs Ninjas. That is all.
** [[Rooster Teeth]] parodied the pirates vs ninjas debate by starting Cake vs Pie.
** [[Rooster Teeth]] parodied the pirates vs ninjas debate by starting Cake vs Pie.
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** Also, [[Zombies vs. Unicorns]].
** Also, [[Zombies vs. Unicorns]].
* Coca-Cola vs Pepsi.
* Coca-Cola vs Pepsi.
* [[Star Trek (Franchise)|Star Trek]] vs [[Star Wars]]
* [[Star Trek]] vs [[Star Wars]]
** [[Star Trek the Original Series (TV)|Original Series]] vs [[Star Trek the Next Generation (TV)|Next Generation]] (or even just Kirk vs Picard)
** [[Star Trek: The Original Series|Original Series]] vs [[Star Trek: The Next Generation|Next Generation]] (or even just Kirk vs Picard)
** Whole [[Star Destroyer Dot Net|websites]] have been devoted to resolving the question of (or boasting the answer to) "Who would win in a fight between the U.S.S. Enterprise and an Imperial Star Destroyer?"
** Whole [[Star Destroyer Dot Net|websites]] have been devoted to resolving the question of (or boasting the answer to) "Who would win in a fight between the U.S.S. Enterprise and an Imperial Star Destroyer?"
* The [[Console Wars]]
* The [[Console Wars]]
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** Yes. This is basically an application of Zeno's Paradox, from the ancient Greek, but it wasn't until a hundred years or so after Newton that Calculus evolved to the point that it could definitively answer the question. Please, let's accept it and move on.
** Yes. This is basically an application of Zeno's Paradox, from the ancient Greek, but it wasn't until a hundred years or so after Newton that Calculus evolved to the point that it could definitively answer the question. Please, let's accept it and move on.
*** Although the fact that there is no X such that .999... < X < 1 answers the question also.
*** Although the fact that there is no X such that .999... < X < 1 answers the question also.
* [[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Zutara vs. Kataang.]] Need we say more?
* [[Avatar: The Last Airbender|Zutara vs. Kataang.]] Need we say more?
** And its [[Nickelodeon]] [[Shipping Wars|Ship War]] [[Spiritual Successor]] Seddie vs Creddie on ''[[I Carly]]''.
** And its [[Nickelodeon]] [[Shipping Wars|Ship War]] [[Spiritual Successor]] Seddie vs Creddie on ''[[ICarly]]''.
*** No love for Sarly?
*** No love for Sarly?
** [[Or So I Heard|From what I hear of it,]] I see you and raise you [[Twilight (Literature)|Team Edward vs Team Jacob]].
** [[Or So I Heard|From what I hear of it,]] I see you and raise you [[Twilight (novel)|Team Edward vs Team Jacob]].
*** Hey, no love for Team Mike? Which this troper is quite possibly the only member of?
*** Hey, no love for Team Mike? Which this troper is quite possibly the only member of?
**** Not to mention the [[True Blood|Team Bill vs Team Eric]] argument.
**** Not to mention the [[True Blood|Team Bill vs Team Eric]] argument.
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* [[The Other Wiki]] [[wikipedia:Wikipedia:Lamest edit wars|has these in spades]]. For example: is that city in northern Poland called "Danzig" or "Gdańsk" in English? There's even been wars about ''punctuation''!
* [[The Other Wiki]] [[wikipedia:Wikipedia:Lamest edit wars|has these in spades]]. For example: is that city in northern Poland called "Danzig" or "Gdańsk" in English? There's even been wars about ''punctuation''!
** Though to be fair to punctuation, incorrect punctuation can dramatically change the meaning of a statement. "Let's eat, Grandpa." means something different than "Let's eat Grandpa" just as "Let's help your Uncle Jack off a horse." is something different than "Let's help your Uncle jack off a horse."
** Though to be fair to punctuation, incorrect punctuation can dramatically change the meaning of a statement. "Let's eat, Grandpa." means something different than "Let's eat Grandpa" just as "Let's help your Uncle Jack off a horse." is something different than "Let's help your Uncle jack off a horse."
* A three way debate: Left-C vs. Right-C vs. Down-C. Which one is the one true correct place for your [[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Video Game)|Ocarina]]?
* A three way debate: Left-C vs. Right-C vs. Down-C. Which one is the one true correct place for your [[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina]]?


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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