Why Debates are Awesome

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, we are tonight's entertainment!

Just kidding.

So much for entertainment (and the Joker).

But really, that's how it feels whenever I see a TV turned on. The anchors are always really happy, jolly, and they never go over about a minute. And because their coverage is so diverse, they give equal time to what Katy Perry did yesterday and the serial-killer/terrorist who has murdered thousands in a single week.

Really, this is statistical. The ratio of actual facts to commentary has gone substantially down, meaning that actual facts are covered less and less often, with ridiculous and unprovable assertions being the norm.

But that's the problem: it entertains, and that's what I'll cover in another blog post.

But for now, what do we do instead?

To put it simply, we debate.

It's that easy: you find a friend, agree to a resolution, prepare for as long as you feel necessary, and then jump right in. My brother and I do this, and it's super fun. You should try it. Seriously.

It makes you more knowledgeable to the everyday occurrences, and it makes you think.

Try it. Try it just once, and then try it again even if you don't like it. If you still don't like it, then find something you and your friend both care about (preferrably with different opinions) and have a formal debate.

If you can't think of any resolutions, here are some suggestions.

• National Security ought to be valued above Freedom of the Press
• That federal election law should be significantly reformed in the United States
• The United States Armed Forces need substantial change
• The Education system of the US needs significant change
• Restriction of civil liberties for National Security is justified
• The United States needs to stop intervening in foreign wars

That should be enough to get you through.

Seriously, though. Try this. Try this with anyone. Do a formal debate, an informal debate, an argument, anything. Something that will make you think.

That's probably the biggest problem with the general population: they don't like to think. It's hard work. It's time for you (and everyone) to wreck that curve.

Thank you for your time.