Roll up, roll up for some vicious discourse!

[Saskwach]

So we like to talk about how intelligent and reasoned these forums (usually) are. I've decided to tap this rich and potent resource by organising and watching some serious intellectual wrestling, better known as debating. Like the WWE with less smack talking and more polysyllabic words. This thread is here to scope any available talent and decide on the structure of such a debate. Who will accept this challenge?
I'm thinking that the structure could be either 1 vs 1, negative and affirmative on a single statement/issue, or a standard 3 vs 3, 1-post-each-with-word-limit style like a proper debate.
Feel free to volunteer (pleeeeease; I want to be entertained) or weigh in on how this shindig should be organised.

 

[stompy]

Well, uh, I can help adjudicate if you wouldn't mind the offer. I've been on my school debating team for the past 3 years, and last year, we ended up in the quarter-finals. Just PM me to let me know how I can help.

 

[Sib]

I can debate, when I can be bothered to make a coherent, relevant thought. So that timeframe pretty much consists of the hours between 4pm and 8pm, so let's see what happens.

 

[Necrohydra]

I'm not usually one for debating, but I do have a request for Cthu...I mean, Saskwatch.

Keep it non-political, please? Frankly, I think we've seen enough nation bashing and political arguments as of late...not to mention that's probably asking for a ban-hammer.

 

[Seldon2639]

I'm with Necrohydra, policy issues are fine (like what to do about the housing crisis in America, or the world financial crisis), but when it becomes about who's better than whom, it ends up as just one big shouting match.

That said, I'm up for a good debate. I don't know how much time I'll have, since I'm headed into finals as we speak, but I have four years of experience on a high school debate team, and three years of a policy major under my belt.

 

[Saskwach]

Well firstly, I'll be asking for volunteers who will be the only X number of people asked to post on issue Y. If I can't remember what kind of track record they have for reasoned debate I'll look around and ask for some previous examples from them. Everyone else will be asked not to contribute, ignored, and (hopefully) the mods will delete the post. That should keep the flames down.
As for political, what do you mean? International relations, wars, America/Europe bashing etc? That stuff will be way out (unless we're talking about some fairly abstract issue like "foreign aid", say). As for political issues, I can't guarantee anything; some of the best debating material comes from politics. I am very interested in having tongue-in-cheek game-related debates though, such as "The console wars have a positive influence on the gaming industry" (I'd love to see how the affirmative side deals with that one).
But really, this thread is not just for organising but for suggestifying. If people like/dislike/want to suggest a topic they can post here-provide reasoning- and it will be considered.
I'm thinking 1v1 will be the easiest to organise, with a set number of posts to establish arguments and debate then the floodgates will be opened for anyone to post their thoughts.

More volunteers?

Edit:

I'm with Necrohydra, policy issues are fine (like what to do about the housing crisis in America, or the world financial crisis), but when it becomes about who's better than whom, it ends up as just one big shouting match.

That said, I'm up for a good debate. I don't know how much time I'll have, since I'm headed into finals as we speak, but I have four years of experience on a high school debate team, and three years of a policy major under my belt.

This is exactly what I was trying to say re: politics. Thanks SeldonNumber. *pokes tongue*
So seeing as we now have two volunteers how do you two (Sib and Seldon) feel about opening things up some time in the near future?

 

[Sib]

I am very interested in having tongue-in-cheek game-related debates though, such as "The console wars have a positive influence on the gaming industry" (I'd love to see how the affirmative side deals with that one).

Can I be the affirmative? Sounds like fun, let's see if I can't put up a good debate, it might even be good practice for my English GCSE

 

[Saskwach]

I am very interested in having tongue-in-cheek game-related debates though, such as "The console wars have a positive influence on the gaming industry" (I'd love to see how the affirmative side deals with that one).

Can I be the affirmative? Sounds like fun, let's see if I can't put up a good debate, it might even be good practice for my English GCSE

Why yes you can. Just find someone who'll take the negative and get back to me.

 

[Necrohydra]

Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

 

[Saskwach]

Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

You've got a point both ways. I always liked being given a topic we then had to learn for the debate but you can't count on everyone having the time or inclination to do that. Still, allowing the debaters to suggest topics could help them stack the deck. Not that it matters that much: this isn't for million dollar contracts.

 

[Necrohydra]

Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

You've got a point both ways. I always liked being given a topic we then had to learn in debating but you can't count on everyone having the time or inclination to do that. Still, allowing the debaters to suggest topics could help them stack the deck. Not that it matters that much: this isn't for million dollar contracts.

My point exactly. You stated it yourself - this is for our entertainment. There's no trophy, no cash reward, and no A waiting at the end. Sure, they could suggest topics they feel most comfortable with, but having them agree on said topic would lessen that. Plus, given the nature of this forum, I'm sure a lot of readers would have no problem crying foul.

 

[Saskwach]

Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

You've got a point both ways. I always liked being given a topic we then had to learn in debating but you can't count on everyone having the time or inclination to do that. Still, allowing the debaters to suggest topics could help them stack the deck. Not that it matters that much: this isn't for million dollar contracts.

My point exactly. You stated it yourself - this is for our entertainment. There's no trophy, no cash reward, and no A waiting at the end. Sure, they could suggest topics they feel most comfortable with, but having them agree on said topic would lessen that. Plus, given the nature of this forum, I'm sure a lot of readers would have no problem crying foul.

This will be the rule then. Both parties must agree on the topic, though if they don't agree on sides I'll flip a coin.

 

[Larenxis]

I'll do it. It'll be weird using text though, I normally crush my opponents with how I say things. I've only lost a debate once before, when I had to be pro animal testing and my opponents showed the judges pictures of adorable critters in pain. It's hard finding pictures of human testing, but if I had found them, I'd still have enough dignity not to show them. Pshaw. I even got the other team to admit there was no alternative to animal testing. Such are the troubles of being judged by fourth graders...

Anyway, I'll see how I do without my charisma modifier, this will be fun.

 

[Strafe Mcgee]

I'm up for this, sounds like it could be a very good laugh. Plus I've not had a good debate in a long time.

I won't be able to participate until tomorrow though, since I have an exam tomorrow. In fact, I'm off to study now.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

I'll volunteer a topic-

To what extent are the 'console wars' a creation of the gaming industry itself?

 

[AnGeL.SLayer]

...Isn't this what the whole Escapist website is kinda for in the first place...To debate or just comment on games or anything else that tickles our fancy.



Have I missed something?


^_^

 

[wilsonscrazybed]

I'm not usually one for debating, but I do have a request for Cthu...I mean, Saskwatch.

Keep it non-political, please? Frankly, I think we've seen enough nation bashing and political arguments as of late...not to mention that's probably asking for a ban-hammer.

I agree completely.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I can probably argue both side of the argument at once, so I'm in

 

[Baelinicus]

I'd like to be in. Debating is huge amounts of fun, and yet my school still has no group, despite my best efforts.

So yes, I'd like to join.

 

[Gooble]

Sounds like a good idea-just hope people keep their arguments from turning into rants :S