Debate Hall Contest: Devil's Advocate

[RDK]

Recently I and some others had the idea of having a DH competition, something along the lines of Debate With Your Power, but something a lot less time-consuming, and with an interesting twist. I think it would be fun to get a list of members who would be willing to participate, and then have each person propose a topic that they would like to debate the opposite side of. Then we allow people to step in and debate them (or if that doesn't work, just form some sort of lottery and assign people to topics).

I think this would be a fun way to sharpen our debating skills and increase our knowledge of topics we believe ourselves to be comfortable with. By questioning the very assumptions of our fields, we can strengthen the validity of said fields.

For example: being a biology major, let's say I form a debate around the assertion that evolution is a false and unscientific fantasy and creationism / intelligent design is a proper replacement theory. I start a topic on it. Then, for the sake of example, let's say Alt challenges my topic and creates a response to my OP. I would then reply to him, et cetera, and on the debate goes. Judges will decide when the debate has ended, who has done a better job, and will score accordingly.

Anyone interested in doing this?

Current Participants:

RDK
adumbrodeus
junglefever
Mewter
KrazyGlue
Hive
Mr.Lombardi34
aeghrur
FaithKeeper
Maniclysane
blazedaces
Teran17
TLink_King
Nysyarc

 

[DtJ Jungle]

I would be interested in doing this. Playing Devil's Advocate is always fun. When would this start?

 

[Mewter]

There we go.
I'm definitely joining this.

 

[Amide]

I was thinking about this idea recently as well. I'm in on it. I especially like the idea of having the Christians on this board make friends with science. =D

 

[Zero Beat]

I like this idea a lot.

Since you actually took the initiative, I don't mind you leading this little contest, RDK. Just make sure we have enough competitors. Message me on aim if you'd like to talk about it personally.

 

[RDK]

After discussing this with the other higher-ups, I've decided to compile a list of those who would be interested. Check the OP, and if your name isn't up there yet (and you're interested), just let me know.

Once we have a general idea of how many people will be participating, we can start the process. In the meantime, think about what topic you would like to make a thread on.

 

[KrazyGlue]

Sounds fun. I might try, but I'm pretty terrible at arguing what I don't believe. I guess I'll join.

 

[Mr.Lombardi34]

Sure, why not?

 

[aeghrur]

Yesssssssssss.
I'd love to do this, lol.

 

[Hive]

this is actually a very interesting idea rdk ^^

 

[adumbrodeus]

I'd do it.

 

[Zero Beat]

I'll update the list since RDK's MIA all of a sudden.

 

[RDK]

Zero, you useless piece of garbage. What could be more important than this that you have to miss it?

 

[Zero Beat]

I may add myself later if time allows dude. When exactly do you want to do this? I have an upcoming trip outside of the states and I'll be getting a job for the summer.

I'll still be around the Debate Hall though, so if you run into any crap, you can always leave a message. Hopefully I can participate anyway? We'll see.

I could sooo infract you for disrespecting a moderator:-p. It's a lot of points too .

Edit: Anyway, what's the member cap for this to go through?

 

[RDK]

Anyway, what's the member cap for this to go through?

In the end it doesn't really matter; if we get an odd number, we can just have people double-up on topics.

 

[Faithkeeper]

This is a good idea.

I think if you intended to do cross-examination, it'd be difficult.

Also, are we talking about like a set structure with:

1st affirmative constructive
cross ex
1st negative constructive
cross ex
2nd affirmative constructive
cross ex
2nd negative constructive
cross ex
1st negative rebuttal
1st affirmative rebuttal
2nd negative rebuttal
2nd affirmative rebuttal

Source: My high school debate class.

I'm not sure if that exact format would work. But I think some set structure would be advisable to keep the debates from going on forever.

I guess I'd be interested, but my opinions change all of the time, so that could potentially present a problem. In the past I've just posted on what ever side seems more interesting to research, but I haven't made many posts in the Debate Hall where it really matters, so we will just see I guess...

 

[aeghrur]

How old are you Faithkeeper?
Cuz right now, I'm watching my school's debate go down-hill.
Now, it's just like, everything will lead to a Nuclear war, and then the rebuttal is apparently that not taking action will be worse than a nuclear war. >_>

I like the set structure... if it were real life. I'm not sure how long it would take to cross-ex along with posting all those arguments. =/ I also don't really want this place to become like debate.com. Dx

 

[Maniclysane]

I'd like to join. Does it have to be religion though?

 

[aeghrur]

Not at all.
If you want, we can argue economics, lol.

 

[Faithkeeper]

Cuz right now, I'm watching my school's debate go down-hill.
Now, it's just like, everything will lead to a Nuclear war, and then the rebuttal is apparently that not taking action will be worse than a nuclear war. >_>

Nuclear war has never been brought up... This is actually the last year my school will have a debate class. Lucky me.

As far as set structure, I'd honestly just leave out the cross ex and go with it, maybe change it up so the negative isn't speaking 2x in a row, but affirmative gets 1st and last say (since they have the burden of proof, without definitions and 1st and last say, they'd have little to no chance...)

 

[aeghrur]

Nuclear war has never been brought up... This is actually the last year my school will have a debate class. Lucky me.

Hm, for some reason, it's brought up at my school.
It's like, Alternative energy:
Negative - Alternative energy will lead to Russia nuking this because...( insert huge blob of facts with no logical explanation)
Affirmative - Using alternative energy and saving the world from global warming along with Russia possibly nuking us is better than not doing anything, so let's use it. (insert huge blob of facts without any logical explanation)
Unfortunately, my school is actually like... one of the best schools at debate in my state. Dx

As far as set structure, I'd honestly just leave out the cross ex and go with it, maybe change it up so the negative isn't speaking 2x in a row, but affirmative gets 1st and last say (since they have the burden of proof, without definitions and 1st and last say, they'd have little to no chance...)

I'd agree with that. :D

 

[RDK]

Yeah, we're not gonna do the whole cross-ex thing; it'll just be standard quote-and-reply format. For those of you familiar with past DWYP's, you know what I'm talking about.

The whole point was to make this less of a commitment than DWYP.

 

[Maniclysane]

Not at all.
If you want, we can argue economics, lol.

Whew. Arguing the subject of morality, along with arguing the opposite of what you believe, would not be much fun.

 

[RDK]

Alright, I'm gonna see if I can do a recount on how many people are interested in this. Just post in here and I'll add your name to the list. We'll give it about a week and then see if we can start things with the people that signed up.

 

[LordoftheMorning]

I'm going away for a week, so I might not be there, depending on what time you get this started.

 

[KrazyGlue]

I guess I'm still interested, although I'm not really good at arguing against my own opinions. But it'll be fun.

 

[adumbrodeus]

Still on board.

 

[blazedaces]

Well, I was convinced this was a good idea to encourage more activity, so I guess I'm interested.

-blazed

 

[Nysyarc]

I'll give this a go, and I have no real preference for subject material so whatever you guys decide on. I'm going to be out working a lot next week but I'm back next weekend so hopefully that's in time for this to start.

 

[aeghrur]

I'm still here if you ever get this thing started RDK.

 

[Darxmarth23]

I'm sorry, but I will not participate in this event.

Maybe when I become a better debater and have more knowledge of certain topics to back my opinions up.

Seems nice though.

 

[Mr.Lombardi34]

Sorry I'm out. Just not in the mood right now.

 

[Teran]

Did you just say Devil's Advocate?

I suppose I'm not bad at that.
Count me in.

 

[Amide]

Is this still happening? If it is, I'm in. There are few topics that interest me in the debate hall right now.

 

[Nysyarc]

There are few topics that interest me in the debate hall right now.

Same, that's why I can't wait for this if it's still gonna happen.