Do you love debates?

Question

I participated in lots of formal debates before 22, a lot of nationwide competitions and championships , different formats and different topics every time, stopped doing it after I got a few titles of the best speaker and the best debater. I was also unofficially known as the best attacker 🤣 ⚔️🤦🏻‍♀️

After winning many times, I kind of lost interest, as If I proved myself something and since then, I relaxed and now I am even kind of tired of them. I wanted to live a life for myself, not to prove anyone anything anymore.

But at that time that experience taught me some good skills, gave me confidence and good skills of public speaking.

GuyAnswersGirls123 · Accepted Answer

I was leader on the debate team in my uni team although I didn't compete at such a nationwide level as you did, just locally in my university.

I remember one time during which we had to debate whether the US should aid Taiwan in the case of an invasion from China. My team got assigned in favor even though I personally didn't think the US should intervene.

I studied my butt off trying to anticipate every single possible argument the opposing team might present while studying everything from geography to the military capabilities of the US, Taiwan, the political systems and economies of the respective countries (Taiwan modeled itself after the US), etc.

My opposing team wasn't very good in that one case. They tried to make the argument that the US can't afford another invasion with the false assumption that aiding Taiwan has to mean invading China. I countered by presenting a map of the geography and drawing out strategic points in which the US navy can set up a defensive parameter around the Western Pacific and arguing that no invasion of China is required; the US merely needs to set up a defensive parameter and counteract any hostile navy activity from China while also presenting slides of the relatively weak naval capabilities of China.

I've admittedly forgotten most of what I studied for that debate but I caught the opposition so off-guard and the rest of the people on my team just stopped and let me do all the talking.

We won unanimously. The audience voted on who won and we won around 200-0. There was not a single vote in favor of our opposition, and the professors were so impressed that they kept insisting I switch my major from CompSci/VisArts to law. I wasn't very interested but I really loved debating.

That said, I got so interested in debating everything that I scared off many of my earlier girlfriends that way. I've since changed my communication strategy from debate to what I want to call "sharing": just taking turns sharing our views. The goal is no longer to win but to develop mutual understanding.

Still, I used to love debating in university. I looked at debating as like Chess, trying to anticipate many moves ahead and having a prepared counter for every possible move my opponents could make.

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

Congrats! I got the sense you'd be an effective lawyer. I'd like to say "good lawyer", not sure that exists.

No, I don't like debates. I find them largely a waste of time. Do they change peoples opinions? I doubt it. But it does require some skills.

IslaTheWitch · Accepted Answer

it depends... if people can use the real reasoning baked by data behind their opinion it's a pure pleasure. But if you debate with people who use reasoning like, "I think," "from my experience," or "I believe, "... it's torture...

AviatorTom · Answer

I was on the Debate and Oratory team when I was in High School, many years ago. In addition to local tournaments, we travelled all over Northeast US.

love_conquers_lust · Answer

Yes. Probably too much. It’s difficult for me when arguing with women because their feelings tend to get hurt easily and I don’t want them to submit to me out of fear. I want them to agree with me because they want to and we both have proof of our stances. This is particularly difficult with Asian women.

But, I have come across some who have a fiery passion and will argue back. Then it’s fun for me because it’s my goal to neutralize the argument and try to placate them while still not backing down. I feel like Jet Li trying to slip, duck, bob, and weave every thing they throw at me. Or like Neo in the Matrix, dodging bullets.

HawkPerception · Answer

I love debates, but I don't have the quickest responses. I'm the type of person that does better in debates where I can take my time and respond and even write up a response to organize my thoughts. My friend is also an ENTP and I could never put debate him in a verbal debate. He's much faster than me with his off the top of his head responses, but I can likely out-debate him in debates where I can take my time and respond with messages on my own time. And I'm an INTP.

normalice · Answer

I like the idea but sadly the rules of a formal debate don't apply where debate would actually be productive (i. e. the floor of congress).

jshm2 · Answer

Not really, though was quite good at it.  You have to be willing to take down and dissect your opponent. Not something I happily do.

NathanDavis · Answer

no... but I was the sparring to the entire debate team at school, lol

Guido · Answer

Sometimes I take an opposing view in a conversation just to liven things up. I don't necessarily have an opposing view but take that side just for the conversation and see where it goes.

Iron_Man · Answer

I didn’t mind in the past, but I’ve got too much stress in my life going on to get into Internet debates

Still-alive · Answer

I like watching them online. i feel i can handle my own in a debate but i don't exactly 'love' them.

Zestyassmf1997 · Answer

I don’t think so. I usually find them sort of pointless.

OddBeMe · Answer

I did in high school. And it was scary being in stage. I also acted in plays. Broke my scared of public speaking phobia. And taught me empathy.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

"The path that leads to truth is littered with the bodies of the ignorant".  I am done arguing with fools.

AngryCarl · Answer

No, I think they're pointless and don't achieve anything.

msc545 · Answer

I love informal debates, AKA friendly arguments.

sawno · Answer

Yup, part of the reason why I am here.

TenderFantasy · Answer

Sometimes. Depends on what it's about.

kingmaker21 · Answer

No ma'am I don't have that much free time.

motownplayer2000 · Answer

Yes I love a very good debate!

elaphe · Answer

I enjoy having debates that are civil.

BLP11520 · Answer

Nope, they are annoying

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