Detriment to Debate

ORIGINALLY POSTED: Friday, January 28, 2011

Have We Lost the Concept of Debate?

     "Those are times you'll never forget- those debates you have at 2am with people on your floor."  Davin has brought it up in class a few times, and each time I wonder...when will these debates occur?  Will they ever?  Why haven't they yet?  So far the most constructive dialogue exchanged between me and other girls on the floor is something along the lines of "Oh my gaaahd, I wish they had paper towels in the bathroom."  After hearing that these debates do indeed exist and are a key and enjoyable component of the college experience, I began trying to spark some debates among my friends.

Simmons Dining Hall, 1/22/11, dinnertime

Friend #1: What is couscous, anyways?

Me: What is abortion, anyways?

Verdict: Unsuccessful.  My attempt at debate was shot down with a curious glance and an explanation of how Friend #1 thinks couscous is a protein.  Further research proved she was wrong, its technically a carb.

5th Floor Hiester, 1/24/11, afternoon

Roommate: This really cool show is coming on E! about women who like kill their husbands.  It looks trippy.  We're totally watching it.

Me: What do you think should happen to those women?  Do you think they should be given the death penalty?

Verdict: Unsuccessful.  My roommate then saw a commercial for a heart-shaped necklace and proceeded to rant about how she better get the "best Valentine's day present ever."

     One night at dinner my efforts finally paid off, and I was able to spark some debate about abortion.  Except no, to call it "debate" would be to use the word inaccurately.  It was more "people meekly stating how their parents feel about it, how the political party they identify with feels about it, stating that in that situation they would 'have no idea what to do and therefore can't judge' and then concluding by saying 'but whatever you guys believe is fine too!'"  Why have we become so hesitant to step on each others' toes?  To state what we think, how we feel?  Perhaps in a society that is becoming increasingly judgmental- about looks, about where you received your degree, about how many AP classes you took and how many extracurriculars you participate in- people are increasingly unwilling to dish out personal beliefs for fear that they'll be scrutinized as much as their SAT scores.  

     This fear to engage is any sort of impassioned exchange about our ideals is, ultimately, hurting us. Debating is an excellent way to exchange information and to broaden one's mind.  Without it, we will be left only with our narrow scope of half-formed ideas.