Debating, you say? That's the one that's, well, it's just arguing, isn't it? It's like taking a point, whether you agree with it or not, and defending it to the death for no reason whatsoever, other than the fact you are drunk. So in that respect, it's just like what goes on on an internet forum. Sorry, an active internet forum...



Wouldn't it be something to see Translator against Worldtodd, live? In a cage... Actually, Translator against anyone. Yes, DJ_Symncard, that is racist... If there is enough call for it, maybe Isa413 and I could re-enact the does sex work in advertising? or maybe even is Twitter a load of shit or not?



Think of how much fun this could be! I suggest the following topics:

• Smoking should be banned in the canton of Geneva
• Facebook is better than Glocals
• Glocals events should only be for under 27 year-olds.
• Should SiteAdmin be allowed to have a picture of a dog on his profile when nobody else can, despite the fact his tag line says 'lead by example'?
• Glocals was better before all these people joined.

hayes, Apr 22, 2009 @ 19:28

Well well well.....

What a good response already :)

QUOTE: So in that respect, it's just like what goes on on an internet forum.UNQUOTE

Almost right Matt....but you are heading the right direction. The beauty and challenge of a debate is to build a case, defend or attack a subject, try to convince others with your arguments and that all eye in eye with the opponent, in stead of typing messages from behind your screen. ;)

Anyway, the most important rule for debating is always to attack the argument or subject and never the person!

The topics for the debate will be given by the organisation and will be about things with common interest, in order that anybody is able to debate it.

Last but not least :) :This topic was opened to gauge the interest for debates, please let us know what you think about it and safe your energy for the evening itself ;)
Arnovd, Apr 22, 2009 @ 19:52

I'm not sure, man. I mean, saying the argument ad hominem is actually against the rules,,, doesn't that take the fun out of it. I mean the chances are that someone on the opposing team is going to say something outlandishly stupid. Look at what you've got to work with here. Surely this is the ideal environment in which to kick a little dirt.



But sure -- it's a super interesting idea, practicalities permitting. I'll be there in some capacity or anther. I see your biggest hurdle being how to stop people from talking about Salsa and to get them to listen. By which I really mean get them to shut up so that other people can hear.



So, OK. How does one actually win or lose? Cos y'know, you mention international debating rules or something but that's a total unknown. Isn't it really complicated? If I just pull out a stream of straw men and false dichotomies is that OK provided the other team doesn't notice? Do you have to have a jury clued up on all the bejillions of logical fallacies? In which case it comes down to who can best disguise their shortcomings with long sentences?
hayes, Apr 22, 2009 @ 20:23

ah... now we're talking. yes, where is bedrock?  Get Free, Verbier, add dash of Diva, and bit of Tinkie into and mix Translator into the pot and should be a debate not to be missed.

Should you manager to gather the all-star Forum busters under one roof, i'd want to skype-in :P
YouMeCo, Apr 22, 2009 @ 20:27

[quote][b]

isa413 (22/04/2009)[/b]



though when attacked I do tend to go for 'an eye for an eye' reply

[/quote]



Genius! That's the perfect way to.... lose, or at best draw.



So someone gouges your eye with their finger... wouldn't it be better to just get up and beat them to death with the dartboard?

hayes, Apr 22, 2009 @ 20:28

Jesus, will you lot get over Bedrock already? He wasn't that good.
hayes, Apr 22, 2009 @ 20:29

you're just jealous! :D



other than that, i love your topic proposals...
Minda, Apr 22, 2009 @ 21:49

Hayes....

See you at  the THUNDERDOME!!! (As soon  as I find  my Tina Turner/Mad Max gear)

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!!!! :crazy:
Translator, Apr 22, 2009 @ 23:06

Hi People,

I think this is a really good idea! I would definately take part. First rather as audience though, since I haven't done anything like this before. But I'm really so tired of all those ad homs and strawmens in discussions and it would be such a breeze of fresh air to have disussions/debates like real adults do. So sign me up :-)



And to all the nay sayers in this thread: rent "The Great Debaters" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/

I promise: you will have a good evening AND know what you are talking about ;)
VagabondTom, Apr 23, 2009 @ 00:53

EXCELLENT initiative and idea.

I'd love to attend. I'd have to first watch a session, before considering to be an actual participant.

Nir
Nir Ofek, Apr 23, 2009 @ 01:16

Hey Arno, is this what you are talking about?



This afternoon I thought I would participate. Then I read these rules and kind of thought it was a bit nerve-racking and thought spectating would be better (read: less panic-inducing and more compatible with drinking). Now after reading that two blouses want to spectate, I feel a bit more like participating. But I suspect I will bottle it again. Particularly if Translator does get involved. I don't know why, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that she was on some undergraduate debating team.



So is that the format? Two teams of two? Those 2x4 + 3 = 11 minute sessions? We're looking at -- including preparation, overheads, and generally faffing -- about 45 minutes for a debate? Or did you have something else in mind?



Also, Wikipedia's Debate page contains the following sentence: "Classical debate is a relatively new debate format..." which is... a bit baffling.
hayes, Apr 23, 2009 @ 02:25

Nah, Hayes,  no university debate team for me...just love watching Prime Minister's question time..all those grumpy people harumphing, stomping, and jeering...will there be someone  yelling, "Order, order....":P
Translator, Apr 23, 2009 @ 07:30

The IDEA format is by far the most used one; however to keep it a bit easier (for the first debate ;)) I would prefer not to stick entirely to this format. The replies so far are more like to be in the audience for the first time rather then participate so people can watch, learn and/or get an idea what's it all about. In reaction to that I prefer to keep the barrier for participation not too high ;)

Examples are not to include the crossfire examinations and the open floor part. Especially for the first time (read beginning debaters ;)) it can be too messy when you have a freewheeling discussion.

Example of the format which is clear and easy to use for anybody:

Teams consists of two or three people - Subject will be handed over to the teams 20 minutes before start of the debate - debate in three stages: 4 minutes constructive, 4 minutes challenge, 2 minutes closing speech.
Arnovd, Apr 23, 2009 @ 14:39

BUMP!



OK. Long-time Hayes fans will know how much I hate it when a thread stays on topic, but here I'll make an exception.



[quote][b]Arnovd (23/04/2009)

[/b]



Examples are not to include the crossfire examinations and the open floor part. Especially for the first time (read beginning debaters ;))it can be too messy when you have a freewheeling discussion.



Example of the format which is clearand easy to use for anybody:



Teams consists of two or three people - Subject will be handed over to the teams20 minutes before start of the debate - debate in three stages: 4 minutes constructive, 4 minutes challenge,2 minutes closing speech.

[/quote]



Yeah. I see your point, largely about dispensing with the formalities and keeping it a bit more... what's the word? ... social? Something like that. But what your outlining, if I'm not mistaken, is

• 4 minutes: case
• 4 minutes: rebuttal
• 2 minutes: close [ BTW, that's two per team or one each per team or two only for the case-for team? ]

But isn't that reducing it a bit too much? Like delivering pre-prepared (OK, 20 minutes ain't much) monologues -- isn't that a bit... static? Wouldn't it be better to have at least a bit of scope for real-time, back-back-and-forth, thinking-on-the-feet type stuff?



Sure, it can get a bit mess -- I say 'sure'; it's not like I know anything... -- but isn't that also in part what the debate director is for? Or am I misunderstanding his/her role? Can they step like the Judge Judy or Betty Boothroyd and tell the kids to get back on track?









* Yeah, I know it's not Boothroyd any more but I liked the double-alliteration. Plus the name of the new guy escapes me. Double plus, I don't care.

hayes, Apr 24, 2009 @ 19:41

A'hahahaha... BEDROCK you are here!!!:w00t: 

You're like Batman -posting your name triggers a call out to you  :laugh:
YouMeCo, Apr 25, 2009 @ 00:39

get a room you two. actually since neither of you lives here any more but are both constantly online, i can only assume that's the direction in which it's gone. it's like a pissed up mis-match leaving a wedding reception: you go now and put the shower on; i'll order one more drink and i'll follow in 15 minutes. casually. room 518 you say? got it.
hayes, Apr 25, 2009 @ 00:55

Hayes.... you're such a wedding crasher. 

about that drink... can you make that champagne for two?
YouMeCo, Apr 25, 2009 @ 01:10

awww yeahhh....



hayes, Apr 25, 2009 @ 01:11

dag those paparazzis!

hayes.. quit digging through old wedding albums :ermm:
YouMeCo, Apr 25, 2009 @ 01:21

god. going by the photographs of bedrock and arnovd, it appears they're wearing the same uniform. was arnovd there as well? it makes the mind go places you really didn't want it to. they didn't did they? the three of them? oh, youmeco, i'm appalled and disgusted! yet strangely intrigued.



so, er, arno... about that debating thing then?

hayes, Apr 25, 2009 @ 01:57

Hayes, Youme: I hope the level of the real-lie debate will be better than your level of your banter on this thread...:)

Arno: yalla, what happens now? We want the debate!
Nir Ofek, Apr 25, 2009 @ 21:16

Hi there, this thread is great news since the debate that was staged yesterday in a course I attend at HEC triggered my interest to go back into organising debates. So in your gauging interest, you can count me in be it as participant or audience.



Best regards, Jan-Paul
jappie, Apr 25, 2009 @ 22:43

[quote][b]Nir_ (25/04/2009)

[/b]

Hayes, Youme: I hope the level of the real-lie debate will be better than your level of your banter on this thread...:)



Arno: yalla, what happens now? We want the debate![/quote]



Hmmm. If you want banter contribute banter. If you want debate-related stuff, contribute debate-related stuff (as the first post suggests). But don't stand there and whinge cos the cows don't milk, yeah?
hayes, Apr 26, 2009 @ 02:57

Hayes:

I take your point. So I'll be happy to be one of debaters. I hope they put me and you on opposite teams so I can crush you like a bug (debate-ingly speaking) on stage! :)

So when is the debate?
Nir Ofek, Apr 26, 2009 @ 12:51