09-04-2004, 02:41 AM
So, university starts next week, and debating will begin soon after. As you may or may not know, I'm pretty heavy into debating (more so every year), so I've been thinking alot already about debate topics.
That's where you come in. Essentially, I want you to do my dirty work for me. :P Seriously though, I value your input and could benefit from it a great deal.
What I'm looking for are topcis or ideas that can be turned into good debates. 'But gekko!' you cry, 'what makes a good debate?' Don't worry, I'm getting to that.
A good debate is witty, informative, original, topical, entertaining and thought-provoking. While it doesn't have to be all of those things, the more the better (the 2nd best debate I participated in last year was the following: Martha Stewart Should Host A Reality Show From Inside Prison). The 'Big X' topics are NOT good debates (X should be a number, but I can't remember exactly how many there are). The 'Big X' debates include capital punishment, euthenasia, abortion, etc. Recent aditions include marijuana legalisation and gay marriage. Essentially, any really overdone argument is no longer a good debate, unless you have a 100%, brand spankin, absolutely, totally new spin on such a topic, that has never ever been thought of by anyone, ever. Basically, don't try.
So, let the ideas flow! At this time I'm more interested in broad topics than in specifics, but feel free to get down to the nitty-gritty if you're so inclined.
One idea I'm considering running is a classic Swift argument: Canadians applying for welfare should be deported. The case should be alot of fun to run, and the debates I forsee would be quite lively. Essentially, the government (that's PRO, btw) argues that welfare cases are a drain on society, no one likes seeing poor people, etc. The more horrible arguments, the better. In the end, the case is actually purposely a loser -- you can't win on arguments. For the final speech, the prime minister stands and talks about how while our solution was clearly ridiculous, it's no worse than the current situation -- rising poverty rates, the inability of our welfare system to work towards getting people OFF the welfare system, the inability of our governments to create jobs and affordable housing, etc.
That's a fairly curvy approach. Often, the best debates can be simply straightforward. My partner and I are both hockey fans, so we'll also want to prepare at least one case in that area. Likely choices include Todd Bertuzzi and the player/owner lockout.
That's all for now. Let me know if any of any good arguments you've had recently; let me know your thoughts on just about anytning you think would make a good debate.
gekko
ps dancing bananas do not make good debates.
That's where you come in. Essentially, I want you to do my dirty work for me. :P Seriously though, I value your input and could benefit from it a great deal.
What I'm looking for are topcis or ideas that can be turned into good debates. 'But gekko!' you cry, 'what makes a good debate?' Don't worry, I'm getting to that.
A good debate is witty, informative, original, topical, entertaining and thought-provoking. While it doesn't have to be all of those things, the more the better (the 2nd best debate I participated in last year was the following: Martha Stewart Should Host A Reality Show From Inside Prison). The 'Big X' topics are NOT good debates (X should be a number, but I can't remember exactly how many there are). The 'Big X' debates include capital punishment, euthenasia, abortion, etc. Recent aditions include marijuana legalisation and gay marriage. Essentially, any really overdone argument is no longer a good debate, unless you have a 100%, brand spankin, absolutely, totally new spin on such a topic, that has never ever been thought of by anyone, ever. Basically, don't try.
So, let the ideas flow! At this time I'm more interested in broad topics than in specifics, but feel free to get down to the nitty-gritty if you're so inclined.
One idea I'm considering running is a classic Swift argument: Canadians applying for welfare should be deported. The case should be alot of fun to run, and the debates I forsee would be quite lively. Essentially, the government (that's PRO, btw) argues that welfare cases are a drain on society, no one likes seeing poor people, etc. The more horrible arguments, the better. In the end, the case is actually purposely a loser -- you can't win on arguments. For the final speech, the prime minister stands and talks about how while our solution was clearly ridiculous, it's no worse than the current situation -- rising poverty rates, the inability of our welfare system to work towards getting people OFF the welfare system, the inability of our governments to create jobs and affordable housing, etc.
That's a fairly curvy approach. Often, the best debates can be simply straightforward. My partner and I are both hockey fans, so we'll also want to prepare at least one case in that area. Likely choices include Todd Bertuzzi and the player/owner lockout.
That's all for now. Let me know if any of any good arguments you've had recently; let me know your thoughts on just about anytning you think would make a good debate.
gekko
ps dancing bananas do not make good debates.
"Life is sacred and you are not its steward. You have stewardship over it but you don't own it. You're making a choice to go through this, it's not just happening to you. You're inviting it, and in some ways delighting in it. It's not accidental or coincidental. You're choosing it. You have to realize you've made choices."
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"