MOD ANNOUNCEMENT: Member Debates (Input needed)

**Sir Thaddeus** · Jul 05 2011, 05:19 PM

Awesome Idea, good job Mods!

**Kranes56** · Jul 05 2011, 05:22 PM

I was actually thinking something like this. It was more of a campagin kind of idea. With a election, and debates.

This is still a great idea. It's been awhile since I was in a good debate.

**injest** · Jul 05 2011, 06:02 PM

sounds like interesting reading!

so the mods would post a subject, wait for volunteers to offer to debate or would one member challenge another?

if it was a real debate, with people following the rules of civil debate, we may actually hear what people think on the issues themselves!

**Shangrila** · Jul 05 2011, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by teamosil

Excellent idea!

My only suggestion would be to set up narrower, more specific, questions instead of general topic areas. Ideally with a built in goal. For example, instead of "taxes", it could be "is progressive taxation good for the economy". If it is too broad it won't be possible to resolve in one debate and if the goal isn't specified in the question, you can just get bogged down on unresolvable questions where the judge's own leanings would pretty much decide who won. For example, on taxes, if one person is just arguing that taxation is immoral and the other person is arguing from a pragmatic perspective, it would really just come down to which way of looking at the question is more appealing to the judge. Two ships passing in the night. But if the goal is specified- like whether it is good or bad for the economy- then they meet head on.

I agree. Its easier to stay on topic this way, and its easier to judge on merit.
Sounds intriguing.

**Shangrila** · Jul 05 2011, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Sir Thaddeus

Awesome Idea, good job Mods!

Might give us a chance to discuss on topic, without silly interruptions, instead of going over the deep end.

**Agent Zero** · Jul 05 2011, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Shangrila

I agree. Its easier to stay on topic this way, and its easier to judge on merit.
Sounds intriguing.

Makes it easier to have several questions based on one topic (such as taxes) instead of throwing that topic out and hoping it goes well.

**1984society** · Jul 05 2011, 06:16 PM

Was this based on my Parliament idea?

**Eighty Deuce** · Jul 05 2011, 06:56 PM

Just one member ? Why just one ? When is any side represented by just one finite angle ? Make it 2-3 per side. Folks can't be here 24/7 responding. 2-3 better carries the debate. Most "debates" are teams regardless.