So we like to talk about how intelligent and reasoned these forums (usually) are. I've decided to tap this rich and potent resource by organising and watching some serious intellectual wrestling, better known as debating. Like the WWE with less smack talking and more polysyllabic words. This thread is here to scope any available talent and decide on the structure of such a debate. Who will accept this challenge?
I'm thinking that the structure could be either 1 vs 1, negative and affirmative on a single statement/issue, or a standard 3 vs 3, 1-post-each-with-word-limit style like a proper debate.
Feel free to volunteer (pleeeeease; I want to be entertained) or weigh in on how this shindig should be organised.

Well, uh, I can help adjudicate if you wouldn't mind the offer. I've been on my school debating team for the past 3 years, and last year, we ended up in the quarter-finals. Just PM me to let me know how I can help.

I can debate, when I can be bothered to make a coherent, relevant thought. So that timeframe pretty much consists of the hours between 4pm and 8pm, so let's see what happens.

I'm not usually one for debating, but I do have a request for Cthu...I mean, Saskwatch.

Keep it non-political, please? Frankly, I think we've seen enough nation bashing and political arguments as of late...not to mention that's probably asking for a ban-hammer.

I'm with Necrohydra, policy issues are fine (like what to do about the housing crisis in America, or the world financial crisis), but when it becomes about who's better than whom, it ends up as just one big shouting match.

That said, I'm up for a good debate. I don't know how much time I'll have, since I'm headed into finals as we speak, but I have four years of experience on a high school debate team, and three years of a policy major under my belt.

Well firstly, I'll be asking for volunteers who will be the only X number of people asked to post on issue Y. If I can't remember what kind of track record they have for reasoned debate I'll look around and ask for some previous examples from them. Everyone else will be asked not to contribute, ignored, and (hopefully) the mods will delete the post. That should keep the flames down.
As for political, what do you mean? International relations, wars, America/Europe bashing etc? That stuff will be way out (unless we're talking about some fairly abstract issue like "foreign aid", say). As for political issues, I can't guarantee anything; some of the best debating material comes from politics. I am very interested in having tongue-in-cheek game-related debates though, such as "The console wars have a positive influence on the gaming industry" (I'd love to see how the affirmative side deals with that one).
But really, this thread is not just for organising but for suggestifying. If people like/dislike/want to suggest a topic they can post here-provide reasoning- and it will be considered.
I'm thinking 1v1 will be the easiest to organise, with a set number of posts to establish arguments and debate then the floodgates will be opened for anyone to post their thoughts.

More volunteers?

Edit:

Seldon2639:
I'm with Necrohydra, policy issues are fine (like what to do about the housing crisis in America, or the world financial crisis), but when it becomes about who's better than whom, it ends up as just one big shouting match.

That said, I'm up for a good debate. I don't know how much time I'll have, since I'm headed into finals as we speak, but I have four years of experience on a high school debate team, and three years of a policy major under my belt.

This is exactly what I was trying to say re: politics. Thanks SeldonNumber. *pokes tongue*
So seeing as we now have two volunteers how do you two (Sib and Seldon) feel about opening things up some time in the near future?

Saskwach:
I am very interested in having tongue-in-cheek game-related debates though, such as "The console wars have a positive influence on the gaming industry" (I'd love to see how the affirmative side deals with that one).

Can I be the affirmative? Sounds like fun, let's see if I can't put up a good debate, it might even be good practice for my English GCSE :)

Sib:

Saskwach:
I am very interested in having tongue-in-cheek game-related debates though, such as "The console wars have a positive influence on the gaming industry" (I'd love to see how the affirmative side deals with that one).

Can I be the affirmative? Sounds like fun, let's see if I can't put up a good debate, it might even be good practice for my English GCSE :)

Why yes you can. Just find someone who'll take the negative and get back to me.

Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

Necrohydra:
Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

You've got a point both ways. I always liked being given a topic we then had to learn for the debate but you can't count on everyone having the time or inclination to do that. Still, allowing the debaters to suggest topics could help them stack the deck. Not that it matters that much: this isn't for million dollar contracts.

Saskwach:

Necrohydra:
Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

You've got a point both ways. I always liked being given a topic we then had to learn in debating but you can't count on everyone having the time or inclination to do that. Still, allowing the debaters to suggest topics could help them stack the deck. Not that it matters that much: this isn't for million dollar contracts.

My point exactly. You stated it yourself - this is for our entertainment. There's no trophy, no cash reward, and no A waiting at the end. Sure, they could suggest topics they feel most comfortable with, but having them agree on said topic would lessen that. Plus, given the nature of this forum, I'm sure a lot of readers would have no problem crying foul.

Necrohydra:

Saskwach:

Necrohydra:
Yeah, Seldon2639 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I could do without seeing another "My nation is better than your nation" or "X nation sucks!" or the like for a good long while.

Hmm..no suggestions for topics on mind at the moment. I think it would be a good idea to hear the debaters suggest a topic. Wouldn't make sense to have a debate on driving if neither party has any experience or knowledge on driving, would it?

Of course, they COULD do research...

You've got a point both ways. I always liked being given a topic we then had to learn in debating but you can't count on everyone having the time or inclination to do that. Still, allowing the debaters to suggest topics could help them stack the deck. Not that it matters that much: this isn't for million dollar contracts.

My point exactly. You stated it yourself - this is for our entertainment. There's no trophy, no cash reward, and no A waiting at the end. Sure, they could suggest topics they feel most comfortable with, but having them agree on said topic would lessen that. Plus, given the nature of this forum, I'm sure a lot of readers would have no problem crying foul.

This will be the rule then. Both parties must agree on the topic, though if they don't agree on sides I'll flip a coin.

I'll do it. It'll be weird using text though, I normally crush my opponents with how I say things. I've only lost a debate once before, when I had to be pro animal testing and my opponents showed the judges pictures of adorable critters in pain. It's hard finding pictures of human testing, but if I had found them, I'd still have enough dignity not to show them. Pshaw. I even got the other team to admit there was no alternative to animal testing. Such are the troubles of being judged by fourth graders...

Anyway, I'll see how I do without my charisma modifier, this will be fun.

I'm up for this, sounds like it could be a very good laugh. Plus I've not had a good debate in a long time.

I won't be able to participate until tomorrow though, since I have an exam tomorrow. In fact, I'm off to study now.

I'll volunteer a topic-

To what extent are the 'console wars' a creation of the gaming industry itself?

...Isn't this what the whole Escapist website is kinda for in the first place...To debate or just comment on games or anything else that tickles our fancy.

Have I missed something?

^_^

Necrohydra:
I'm not usually one for debating, but I do have a request for Cthu...I mean, Saskwatch.

Keep it non-political, please? Frankly, I think we've seen enough nation bashing and political arguments as of late...not to mention that's probably asking for a ban-hammer.

I agree completely.

I can probably argue both side of the argument at once, so I'm in :)

I'd like to be in. Debating is huge amounts of fun, and yet my school still has no group, despite my best efforts.

So yes, I'd like to join.

Sounds like a good idea-just hope people keep their arguments from turning into rants :S

I could debate, but I wouldn't care enough to make points beyond simple knowledge and trivia. (I wouldn't care to research either.) Dedication to that respect I reserve to verbally pwning bullies online.

Sign me up, I love debating. If you want a polysyllabic tour de force just give me a heads up and I'll try and prepare for the topic at hand. Bonus points if the topic is anything involving a scientific discipline.

Would anyone who's already signed up care to join Sib in debating the console wars? This wouldd be a great test run.
Also, it'd be great if everyone would suggest and pick issues to debate. It's no good having this many volunteers if y'all got nothin' to fight 'bout. I'm going to break the topics into RL and gaming. RL is for those social and political types while gaming is for those social and political types who want to talk about possibly frivolous things (which isn't to say all gaming topics won't be serious).
Here are some topics I've stolen from elsewhere:
The United Nations serves good dinners but little else.
Rights are more important than responsibilities.
That government is best which governs least.
We place too much faith in the medical profession.
As for gaming:
The console wars have had a positive effect on gaming. Sib has taken affirmative; anyone for negative?
PC gaming is dying. It had to be in there.
E3 is obsolete.

That's all I've got for now.

id like to join a team, lets dance, bitches

"That government is best which governs least"

I can open this up on the negative side if anyone would like to go a couple of rounds with me.

Other topics I've thought of would be:

"Genetically engineering children (a la Gattaca) is inherently wrong"

"It is the responsibility of the world community to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves (starving Africans, for instance)"

"America, in terms of its reign as the preeminent country has been exceptional as compared to previous rulers"

"State's rights should take precedence over what the federal government would like to accomplish"

I will be in if there is still room. I like to argue.

Fire Daemon:
I will be in if there is still room. I like to argue.

There's as much room as there are guinea pi- I mean volunteers. Just pick a topic that's been suggested, or make your own, and find someone who'll take the opposite side.

From Seldon:
"'That government is best which governs least'

I can open this up on the negative side if anyone would like to go a couple of rounds with me."
Anyone willing to take the affirmative?

"America, in terms of its reign as the preeminent country has been exceptional as compared to previous rulers"
This, while not impossible, is at the fine edge of what Necrohydra and Wilson are worried about it.

Here are some ideas that others can use.

The increase in popularity of Zero Punctuation is good for the Escapist.

American Gun Laws are too relaxed.

What is the better console, The Nintendo 64 or The Playstation (this should be interesting).

I'll take on the government one. I'd rather not do the console one. I've got an idea, but I don't know how to put it into a debate title.

Is it the responsibility of the consumer to read the nutritional facts or otherwise inform themselves about food and make their own decisions, or the government or perhaps the producers to raise their standards (decreasing sodium and glucose and such) so the consumer doesn't have to make such choices? Ooh, but that makes me think of another one. Is the main priority for corporations to gain profit from the public, or the public to gain products and services from corporations?

Here's another good one : Advertising - Good or Evil?

I think for all manner of decency that we steer well clear of religion, country politics, death, illness, abuse or bloody consoles. :)

Larenxis:
I'll take on the government one.

So you'll take on the affirmative side? Great. I'll post it in a few days to give you two some time to consider arguments and look things up. Rules are touch and go but they should end up like this:
You do not talk about Debate Club.
YOu DO NOT TALK about Debate Club.
Ahem.
Affirmative gets first post.
There will be a limited number of posts before the thread is opened to all. I'm thinking 3 but if the debate hasn't gotten far I'll extend that.
No flaming or veiled insults.
That's it. This isn't for prizes unless you count that inner feeling of righteousness, so things will be loose and rules are less important.

Again, thanks all those who signed up but it's up to you to flag your interest in a topic.

So...what about a government discussion is not political?

I think I'll just sit back and watch others debate. I lack both the knowledge and drive to win a debate on any subject as complex as the UN.

I feel so back at school for this, but what are the sides and the argument?

Yay vs. nay. Or Thumbs up vs. the finger.