Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with debate

Wiley debated USC in 1935, but on what topic?

brownbat — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:09:13 -0800

Wiley College famously debated University of Southern California in 1935. What was the topic? This NY Times article points out a few of the historical innaccuracies in the recent film, "The Great Debaters." For one, the film has Wiley debate Harvard, when they actually debated the University of Southern California, the actual reigning debate champions of the time.

A few reviews complained that the debate topics selected for the film were also unlikely.

What topic was debated at the match against USC?
(Bonus points for who had the Aff. and who had the Neg., and extra special bonus points for any other topics debated by Wiley in their 1935 season.)

I don't do ad hominem attacks, unlike you.

suedehead — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:16:17 -0800

What's the word for saying something without saying it? Ahh! This is deluding me, and I can't use Google to find out!
There's a word, I believe starting with 'a' and vaguely sounding like 'apotheosis' that means a debate/oratorial technique to mention something without proclaiming not to mention it. Here's an example in action:

(while in debate) "I think X candidate is bad, and I want to talk about the bad foreign policy issues X has instead of debating the fact that X secretly has chronic explosive diarrhea."

Do you know anything like this? Anything similar to this? Thanks!

resolved: we should watch this movie.

negative1 — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:14:39 -0800

[high-school-debate-filter] "Resolved" is a documentary by One Potato Productions about high school debate. Where can I find/see this? The trailer is available on One Potato's web site but I can find no information on where to see the movie itself. Help!

Best discussion/debate sites

grrarrgh00 — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:43:51 -0800

Which websites are the best at conducting vigorous, intelligent online debates and discussions? I'm especially looking for successful examples of collaborative filtering; sites where readers can quickly sort the best posts/arguments to the top of the heap. What I have in mind is a site with some combination of the following traits:

controversial topics are posted
highly-rated responses float to the top of the list
open to general users
the quality of discussion scales even with a high volume of participation
if any human moderation is applied, it's generally light

Slashdot and the Kuro5hin/Scoop sites both offered early models of collaborative filtering for large discussions, but I've gotten the sense that their systems are too complicated for non-techy audiences to understand. I'm intrigued by some of the models being tested at ConvinceMe.net, but that site doesn't let you do much actual filtering (you can't, for example, sort arguments by the number of votes each one receives or collapse unpopular responses), so the discussions seem to be just as noisy.

Are there other examples out there?

How to get tickets to an invite-only debate?

kingjoeshmoe — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:00:09 -0800

How can I get tickets to the Democratic debate in Los Angeles on January 31, 2008? It's in the Kodak Theater. Their site says that the debate is by invitation only. How do I go about getting myself invited?

How do I watch tonight's ABCNews/Facebook debate live online?

frogan — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:50:01 -0800

How do I watch tonight's ABCNews/Facebook debate live online? There doesn't seem to be any option on ABCNews.com to do this...?

Discussion, not debate

waraw — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:54:19 -0800

Disturbed by the state of political discourse in the US, but don't know what's to be done about it, at least on a personal level. I seek methods of coaching people away from entrenched bullet-points and toward a more solutions-based cooperative framework. At the risk of sounding like a flower child, I would like to be an agent of change in my world in terms of helping people understand that our differing beliefs cannot overcome our shared humanity. For instance, a co-worker who describes everyone to the left of certain DINO's as "ultra-liberal" is obviously an intelligent guy, as is my friend the vegan Bush-loathing libertarian, but their current "those [fill in the blank] people are WRONGWRONGWRONG" mindset makes discussion difficult.

I realize that developing debate skills as well as dealing with friends and family with differing beliefs have been discussed here before, but these don't touch on exactly what I'm looking for. During discussions I attempt to stress that I can hear someone out retain my respect for them, hoping that will endgender the same attitude. But I think there are more useful approaches that I am missing, and I'd rather not give in to my nagging fear that this idea is doomed to failure. Are there useful tools or ideas I can use to foster healthy discourse, that lead to neither a fight nor a surrender?

Many thanks to Jessamyn for helping shape my first AskMe.

Yes, I've read Plato already

StrikeTheViol — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:03:50 -0800

Help me find debates with a clear winner. I'm looking for written or spoken debates or arguments, regardless of particulars, where someone prevailed through sheer strength of argument and debating competence, and even supporters of opposing viewpoints would concede one side "won that one". I'm not looking for a "professor versus four-year-old" mismatch, but something where argumentative skill was clearly on display.

What is the Latin name of this rhetorical device?

whir — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:18:20 -0800

What is the formal Latin name of this rhetorical device? I've been wracking my brain trying to remember the name of a rhetorical device in which you bring up a subject under the guise of dismissing it. For instance, "of course, we won't mention my opponent's well-publicized drinking problems, as they have no relevance to this debate."

I'm quite certain there is a Latin name for this particular device, but I can't remember it and my Google-fu is failing me. I believe it is usually classified as a form of ad hominem fallacy, but I can't seem to dig it up.

Question number 69615

devilsbrigade — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:08:19 -0800

Someone quoted to me a quote last night that was along the lines of, "War is a brutal and horrible thing, and the more brutal and horrible it is, the faster it's over." He used this both in defense of using nuclear bombs in WWII and in support of a similar approach for Iraq. I don't agree. This points to a larger issue for me. I knew I didn't agree, but aside from some token phrases I couldn't really come up with a strong argument against what he said. That annoys me.

I don't care about this one argument all that much, so I don't need reasons why its wrong, per se. What I'm actually asking is what types of things (maybe even specifics, if you have suggestions) I can read that will shore up my base positions, both for myself and for explaining them to other people. Most of the philosophy I've read has tended to be very abstract, or interaction/interface to nature-focused, neither of which helps in situations like that.

I'm a masochist. Sue me.

Optamystic — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:16:50 -0800

Does anyone know if tonight's U.S. Democratic Presidential debate will be shown on UK television? I can't seem to find it on Tivo's guide. I have Sky's full channel package, so I guess if it's on any channel, I should be able to get it.

Is there some kind of political youtube out there?

carpyful — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 01:31:46 -0800

Where can I find presidential candidate debates online? I'm interested in following the debates that have been and are going to be held, but I usually miss them on TV.

Is there any website or source that has the whole debates (instead of clips)?

It doesn't matter if it's video or just audio.

The whole primary debate online?

thrako — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:28:35 -0800

So I missed the presidential primary debate yesterday. Is it available in its entirety somewhere online? MSNBC seems to only have clips. Audio only would be just fine.

Exercise with Quick Rewards, Encourages Exploration & Discovery?

shivohum — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:07:44 -0800

What kind of exercise would I find most fun & rewarding? I like baking. I like computers. I like debate. I like learning in a scatterbrain, whatever-interests-me-at-the-moment way. I like, in short, interactive, iterative activities that reward exploration and self-learning, and that start giving (at least small) rewards very quickly. Don't like group learning or scheduled lessons, and don't want to have to depend on a partner to show up. Need something that can be done on a regular basis. Thanks.

What podcasts, radio shows, or TV shows feature an outstanding debater?

lunchbox — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 23:42:08 -0800

What podcasts, radio shows, or TV shows feature an outstanding debater? As a variation on a previous question of mine, I'm looking for podcasts, radio shows, or TV shows that feature someone who is nearly unbeatable in an argument, debate, or any other war of words.

I'm not necessarily looking to learn the factual pros and cons of different issues that people debate; rather, I'm looking to hear how a good debater uses rhetoric, constructs arguments, and deflects attacks for maximal impact. The more contention, and the more informal the exchange (i.e. close to the tone of regular conversation), the better. Even hearing the dynamics of people insulting each other is of interest to me. Jon Stewart's infamous appearance on Crossfire is a perfect example.

I realize that most shows that feature debate will be political talk shows, and am interested to hear which ones are the best examples. But, since I'm not that much into politics, I'm also interested in other kinds of shows. There are excellent bits of debate sprinkled throughout various talk radio shows, but I'd love to find one where debate and contention are a central component.

Horses have four legs, Bucephalus has four legs ∴ Bucephalus is a horse.

aubilenon — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:47:23 -0800

I am looking for a concise or idiomatic term that refers to a correct conclusion which is attained through some sort of invalid reasoning. Is there a debate or logic term for this phenomenon?

In search of good religious discussion

bluejayk — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:43:37 -0800

Where can I find serious religious debate/discussion? I'm looking for a place to read and maybe discuss religious views (primarily Christian-based) that don't constantly delve into ranting and/or idiocy. I was wondering how fundamentalists figure Noah got elephants, pandas, kangaroos, llamas and polar bears on the arc the other day. And I wanted to read some thoughtful religious discussion, but I'm not sure where to go.

Apart from the Noah bit, I'm hoping for something without ideological ground rules, but serious, pointed debate with intellectual rigor. Ideally, a place where Christians (liberal and conservative) and agnostics/atheists have actual discussion without anger or bitterness. I may be asking for something that doesn't exist, but I hope not.

Most everything I've found falls into one of categories: 'If you don't accept this you're hellbound, so shape up and start believing' or 'It's all just fairy-tale bullshit, stop talking nonsense' or 'These cultural heuristics need to be seen in the proper meta-historical narrative of the theistic experience to blah, blah, blah...'.

So where should I go? I need some religious debate while wasting time on the internet.

Religion in American politics -marketing?

Flamingoroad — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 14:35:31 -0800

To what extent do political organisations in the US use religious issues to manipulate the electorate? Ideas for political research -US perspective please! I'm considering doing an extended piece of political research on Political parties and their marketing from a historical perspective (although any present day stuff could be useful).

At this stage I would like to focus on American politics as I would like to focus (at least in part) with the issue of religion in politics...and how political organisations use religious issues to manipulate the electorate.

Of course I'm not asking mefi to write my research proposal (I've got plenty of ideas of my own) but I would like an American perspective (I'm a British student). What should I focus on? What examples?

Possible ideas

the Clinton/ Bush election of the early 90s...'highjacked' by the the religious right etc?

The edition of God we trust on currency during the cold war?

Other examples?

I am very open at this stage but would like to concentrate on American politics as religious issues and debate seem much more charged when compared with the relatively secular arena of British politics.

Good career for lover of oral argument?

shivohum — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 10:24:21 -0800

I love arguing with people -- orally walking them through their premises, disputing their conclusions, bringing up cool new analogies and information, and learning and teaching in the process. I want to do this all day long and get paid for it. Career recommendations? I'm in law school, but I'm not going to restrict myself to careers requiring a JD (though they're a plus).

I love the speed and adrenaline and friendly competition of a good argument... I don't want a job where I have to prepare 98% of the time and argue 2%. I want a job where I get to argue almost all of the time.

Ideas?

PoliticalFriendshipFilter

Alterscape — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 07:48:10 -0800

PoliticsFilter: Help me (a moderate liberal) find ways to be comfortable in a social circle dominated by apathy and ultraconservativism. I recently moved back to the area where I was born and raised, after four years away at college. My family and I have always been of a relatively liberal ideology; the community in general, including a majority of my grade-school friends, is conservative. In high-school, the topics never came up enough to be much of an interpersonal issue, and in college as we all became more politically aware and active, I was never home long enough for it to become an issue. Now that I'm back here with no immediate exit strategy, it's starting to grate on me.

To be clear, I like these people, as people. They've been my friends for over ten years, in some cases. But I dislike the feeling I get when they're all in on the big "liberals suck!" joke, and I'm the liberal sitting in the corner squirming. I could detail plenty of examples, but they all boil down to the same pattern: Social gathering. Somebody makes a liberal-bashing comment (not directed at me, specifically), everyone else joins in on the laughter, including the people who I know describe themselves as apathetic, rather than conservative -- they just laugh along to avoid getting singled out for criticism by the group. I'm left sitting in the corner trying to frame a polite response, which never gets me anywhere anyway. It's not even political discussion, typically, which I would enjoy because of the potential for some interesting debate, just a big joke everyone can be in on.

Since I'm just one person, I'm not sure how to go about dealing with this whole situation. For one thing, in college, a conservative would've felt very much the way I do here, if he or she had come to spend some time with my group of friends and housemates. We made the same kind of potshots at conservative ideology that my friends are now making at liberal ideology, except, to the best of my knowledge there weren't any conservatives present when we did so.

Is the answer "grow a thicker skin?" I'm not really in a position where I can find a new social circle, and I don't particularly want to lose these friends -- this one type of behavior aside, I respect and like them. I'm hopelessly outnumbered, and they don't seem willing to enter into any kind of discourse/dialogue/debate with an open mind. Part of me says "just politely ask them not to do it," but I suspect that'll just open me up to more ridicule. I'm one of the more quiet/introverted people in the group, for the record.

Am I making a mountain out of a mole-hill? How do I learn to deal with this? It seems like an issue of dealing with inadvertant bullying or something -- the feelings involved would be the same even if it wasn't politics that was the dividing line, I suspect. Advice would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

How to improve debating/arguing skills and general eloquence.

thegeezer3 — Thu, 18 May 2006 02:25:26 -0800

How do i go about improving my arguing/debating skills? Obviously i know that going to some debating club is an obvious answer but i dont feel confident enough with my current ability.

Since a child i have always lacked confidence when expressing myself. I found writing essays difficult and even sometimes when disscussing topics I would always end up saying "Oh whats that word" or worse end up waffling. Im also a non confrontational person which means i never had lots of opportunities to improve. I dont want to become better to win verbal fights. I just want to be able to express my opinions and feel and look confident when i do so.

Are there any good sites/books or excercises i should read or do?

How do non-American men view American women

notcomputersavvy06 — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 12:01:12 -0800

In general, how do non-American men view American women? Repressed, promiscuous, intelligent, arrogant, superficial, attractive, aggressive, etc.

As an adult non student , how can one develop better oral debating skills which include thinking on the feet skills ?

studentguru — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 16:07:43 -0800

As an adult non student , how can one develop better oral debating skills which include thinking on the feet skills ?
What I am looking for are tips about groups one can join as a non student and as an adult.

Those of you who are good at debating how do you keep up sharpening your skill once leaving school?

Is there a volunteer role or paid part time job that can help me develop my debating skills?

Should I go back to school and join in classroom discussions in subjects such as philosophy and psychology?

Can I just pretend to be a student and sneak into colleges and classrooms and debating clubs on campus and find a group of people to befriend and debate?

I am a member of two toastmaster clubs . They don't really give you a chance to develope debating skills in toastmasters.

I don't have much problems writing and giving persuasive speeches.

I have heard in France people sit around coffee shops and argue about philosophy and politics.

I have been to philosophical discussion groups in San Francisco. But the topics picked are often not ones I usually care about and have something to say.

Right now my debating skill is only limited to writing on paper and learning argument fallacies on paper.

I can argue my position quite well quite often. I can write pretty good toastmaster speeches.

I pay attention to well written arguments in law drama. Hence my favorite tv series are "The Practice" and "Ally McBeal" where a lot of dialog is in court arguing.

May be I should just get myself a girlfriend/wife who can argue well.

Have I missed out on anything?

How do you respond to "don't love it, leave it"?

joseph_elmhurst — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 19:32:50 -0800

[Rhetoricalhelpfilter]:What is a rational response to "if you don't love it, leave it"? On a few different occasions I've gotten into friendly (and no-so-friendly) debates about US foreign policy which have ground to a halt when my opponent used the golden oldie, "...if you don't love it, leave it" (or a variation thereof).

That argument, to me, is almost Goodwin-esque in its inanity. What's a respectful, logical way to respond?

THE UNIVERSE etc.

iced_borsch — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 22:12:13 -0800

Do we live in a natural world or a supernatural world? These days, I lean towards the former, but I could be convinced otherwise with a solid pummeling of persuasive arguments, essays, rants, websites, diatribes, etc.

Where do you stand in the debate? Are you a theist? An atheist? An agnostic? Why or why not? Does the possibility of a godless universe depress you or excite you?

Similarly, is the universe a cold, lonely place with only rare occurences of life, or is it teeming with life? Why or why not?