Debate class used to be about persuasive speech, and topics one could see two sides of a story, thereby learning. The first error was such a ridiculous question, and the second was Team A self-censoring out of “ sensitivity”. Thinking is a dying art, and these kids and their coaches fail at teaching real communication.
Debate class used to be about persuasive speech, and topics one could see two sides of a story, thereby learning. The first error was such a ridiculous question, and the second was Team A self-censoring out of “ sensitivity”. Thinking is a dying art, and these kids and their coaches fail at teaching real communication.
the best part about debate was being told the question but not which side of it you would be arguing so you had to prepare both and see the strengths and weaknesses of both sides and be ready to take up either one. THAT is how you understand and issue.
We used to debate one side of the question, then switch sides and persuade again. It taught us to understand the reasoning and the logic of issues from both sides. Your comment is in the same realm - and I'm grateful we had that experience!
On the other hand, that's also a highly effective way to create politicians who can talk out of both sides of their mouth as the needs of the moment demand.
I hope none of these students will get into Law school......but you just know they will.
Someone once said, "THE LAW IS AN ASS"........Do you think that person was actually being prescient, maybe knowing something we didnt about the demise of reason and logic in debate?
Timely old man anecdote: We prepared just such a debate and I was picked (coin toss, I believe) to be Yasser (Yasir) Arafat of the PLO (circa 1988). Lively debate.
I am sad to say that my alma mater, Towson University near Baltimore - who, in addtion to yours truly, boast such luminaries as Tater Stelter and Amy "I can't believe they hate me because I'm Jewish" Schumer - won the 2015 National College Debate Championship in pretty much this same manner: They picked a different topic becuase it was more important.
I'll not link to any of the several videos of the performance or reporting on it for fears of how I might be characterized when my only wish in sharing is to express my embarrassment that a pretty decent college from the 80s, well, is no longer pretty decent.
9 years ago that was. What you pointed out just proved they couldnt really think critically on their feet and were likely just regurgitating well worn partisan memes according to what their brainwashers deemed was "important."
This does not at all auger well for the state of academics. And we can see the spoiled and rotten fruits of academia 9 years later.
Well, it's just not going to stand, that's all. It carries with it the seeds of its own destruction
Debate class used to be about persuasive speech, and topics one could see two sides of a story, thereby learning. The first error was such a ridiculous question, and the second was Team A self-censoring out of “ sensitivity”. Thinking is a dying art, and these kids and their coaches fail at teaching real communication.
the best part about debate was being told the question but not which side of it you would be arguing so you had to prepare both and see the strengths and weaknesses of both sides and be ready to take up either one. THAT is how you understand and issue.
We used to debate one side of the question, then switch sides and persuade again. It taught us to understand the reasoning and the logic of issues from both sides. Your comment is in the same realm - and I'm grateful we had that experience!
That’s a classic first year law school professor’s trick. I don’t know whether they still do it, but they should.
You know you are being lied to when the other side is stifled and not being represented.
On the other hand, that's also a highly effective way to create politicians who can talk out of both sides of their mouth as the needs of the moment demand.
I hope none of these students will get into Law school......but you just know they will.
Someone once said, "THE LAW IS AN ASS"........Do you think that person was actually being prescient, maybe knowing something we didnt about the demise of reason and logic in debate?
Timely old man anecdote: We prepared just such a debate and I was picked (coin toss, I believe) to be Yasser (Yasir) Arafat of the PLO (circa 1988). Lively debate.
There are no adults in the room anymore. Most adults have given in top the mob because of their neuroticism and cowardice.
What good is lecturing to or debating a pack of rabid animals?
I am sad to say that my alma mater, Towson University near Baltimore - who, in addtion to yours truly, boast such luminaries as Tater Stelter and Amy "I can't believe they hate me because I'm Jewish" Schumer - won the 2015 National College Debate Championship in pretty much this same manner: They picked a different topic becuase it was more important.
I'll not link to any of the several videos of the performance or reporting on it for fears of how I might be characterized when my only wish in sharing is to express my embarrassment that a pretty decent college from the 80s, well, is no longer pretty decent.
#GoTigers*sigh*
9 years ago that was. What you pointed out just proved they couldnt really think critically on their feet and were likely just regurgitating well worn partisan memes according to what their brainwashers deemed was "important."
This does not at all auger well for the state of academics. And we can see the spoiled and rotten fruits of academia 9 years later.
Well, it's just not going to stand, that's all. It carries with it the seeds of its own destruction