| Any one who has followed me knows I like to debate. Debate is the fuel that makes our civilization run. It is more civilized than war, and by the way more civililized then "protesting" and alledgedly peaceful disorder. It is a great way to harness warlike instincts for good rather than evil.
However my point is technical. I have noticed several times on a debate-informal I have never been on a team-that a speaking debate depends as much on reflex as on knowledge and logic. If a contender can't get his answer out fast enough he gets flustered. I remember several times when I have been "outdrawn" then rembered the reply an hour afterwards. Which is why a speaking debate is inferior to an E-debate.
Televised debates, esp political ones are worse. The newsies are like sharks scenting blood and they grab the most controversial sounding phrase they can without mentioning the qualification which will lose the viewers attention. Politicians of course are just as much at fault in this regard, eager more to win then to find truth.
Talk shows of late have had a problem with being a sort of intellectual WWF and many talk show hosts of both sides are bullys. Not all. Buckley of the old Firing Line was a gentleman and on the other side of the fence, so is Colmes of Hannity & Colmes. In a way talk shows are a throwback to the boisterous Athenian politicing every classicist knows and loves. On the other hand the Athenians made Socrates drink hemlock.
E debating is actually the closest it has ever come to the ideal. The contenders have time to think making knowledge and logic a premium. A number of people can put in their voice conveniently thus obtaining comments from numerous people of all occupations, social classes, and nationality. I wish all were always courteous-for that matter I wish I was always courteous but that is to much to wish for in both cases. Moreover the commentators on the net don't have to reveal more of themselves then they wish allowing for frank discussion. And their is no time limit-a harmful though necessary part of formalised debate.
Thus the E-debate format allows one small step closer to the Unreachable Ideal. |
