Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with debating

I want to be smart so I can write clever Askme Headlines

Bageena — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:45:34 -0800

What are some easy, relatively quick ways to learn to write better, think clearer, and express myself better? There are a thousand reasons that I'd like to learn more about everything, not that anyone should need a reason to want that. Basically, when I'm writing on Mefi or on my blog, I keep finding myself grasping for words to express myself and coming up short. I know my grammer stinks as well. I want books, movies, and other means and mediums by which I can raise my intelligence quota a little. I'm interested in not just learning to write better, but learning to think clearer, argue my beliefs and values better, and feel more enlightened all-around. Extra points for pointing the way to free and/or 'fun' (ie: Nintendo DS games) paths to enlightenment.

Anyone know any active debating forums?

freddymetz — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 06:51:57 -0800

Anyone know any active debating forums/sites? Looking for websites dedicated exclusively to discussing/debating important topics (especially for finding arguments for and against a topic). Can anyone help?

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?

Does anyone in the public eye use correct logic in arguments (anymore)?

geoff. — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 13:26:55 -0800

I have, per my Jesuit education, received too many logic courses. Many times I recognize people making the simplest of logical fallacies. Most often the slippery slope (if gays marry, then people will want to marry animals next) or the straw-man argument. I guess my question is, how valid is the medieval logic in our world today? I notice logical fallacies all over the op-ed and in everyday conversation to justify causes. I was beat over the head with the importance of using correct logic, but does it still hold validity? I've never seen the TV debates ever call each other out using logic. I'm not trying to ask a far out philosophical question, so more inside. I realize it is both impossible and not expected that everyone have an intimate knowledge of all logical fallacies, but I guess just because of how political the atmosphere has been around here and the media -- it begs the question if I'm the last person to have taken any logic courses. Seriously, has anyone seen someone in the media retort with "that's argument by consensus, a fallacy" or something similar? Maybe someone with news experience ever reject something based on illogical premises? Or is logic really not all it is said to be? I understand that most shows like "Crossfire" and columnists like Ann Coulter are mostly theater, but it would seem so easy to just shut them up by responding with simple logic. Why is this not done?