So You Wanna Fight? ATS Debate Tournament (Tournament Update)

I'm intrigued and curious how the debates go here. I haven't been around long enough to have observed them in progress. I am definitely interested but will just watch and participate only in the related forums I guess...if that's cool. Then hopefully next time, knowing what to expect, I will mop the floor-- erm-- face an opponent in debate.

reply to post by Esoteric Teacher


Topics are pre-selected and assigned to two participants randomly. Each participant's position in each debate is also assigned randomly. The people doing the work behind the scenes will usually try to pick a few humdingers for later in the tournament.

But participants aren't permitted to request topics or request positions. Everything is done randomly.

Nobody knows what they have or what position they have until the debate is posted.

I would love to participate if at all possible. Sometimes, I think I'm a little too argumentative so why not put it to good use a constructive debate?

--airspoon

For those of you who are interested in participating but lack ATS fighting experience, you may want to consider trying your hand at a non-tournament challenge match. These matches follow the exact same debate rules and are an excellent way to get your fighting feet wet.

reply to post by Esoteric Teacher

Please allow me to tell you what actually happens.

They purposely find the subjects you are the least likely to know anything about. Then, through careful research and sadistic planning they put you on the opposite side that you would normally take in the debate.

Trust me, these people who come up with these debate tournaments are truly evil.

reply to post by chissler

Debate Tournament: Sign Up!

I'll participate.

reply to post by FortAnthem


The debates are so much better. It's not a flame war, it's a structured debate on a subject with only two people participating. Instead of the insanity that goes on normally, a real definitive debate occurs. Instead of hating the person you debate, most of the time you find a lot of respect for your opponent.

reply to post by whatukno


Yeah, i've seen the debates, they are pretty good.

Problem is, I don't have time to participate in them and with my luck, I'd get a subject that I oppose or don't know much about like UFOs.

Well I would join in except I already know that I'm right

I'm right and you're wrong and that's all there is to it!



In all seriousness - I prefer regular conversation to heated debate so I'll stick to the boards here.

One question though - will everyone, 'us regulars' - be able to see these debates?

I would like to read them anyway.

If there is any room left in this shindig, I would love to participate.

The structured debates that happen in the Debate Forum, both tournaments and challenge matches, are not about the topic.. I want to make that perfectly clear.

They are about your ability to debate.. Any side, any topic.

That is why the topics and "sides" are chosen absolutely randomly. If you participate, you will eventually find yourself arguing a side of an issue that you do not believe in. That is the true challenge... You will also find yourself arguing a topic you are not interested in and have no knowledge about.. (Until you research it for the debate of course)

I personally love the Debate Forum as in my opinion, it shows the true caliber of ones intellect and reasoning skills as no other place on ATS.

Also of note.

All of the Terms and Conditions and rules and regulations for ATS are still in effect during any debate, in fact we like to think our "Fighters" can hold themselves to an even higher standard.

Excitement, Challenge, Interesting Topics... WOW

Who could ask for more...????

If anyone has any questions I am available via U2U and I check them at least once each day..

Good luck to everyone ...

Current Participants So Far (Subject to change)

chissler
whatukno
ProtoplasmicTraveler
Parallex
OzWeatherman
Rising Against
spy66
noeyesnoearsnofacenof
getreadyalready
JimIrie
Y2KJMan
KrazyJethro
Esoteric Teacher
airspoon
LordBucket
Jean Paul Zodeaux

Still plenty of time to sign up..

If we get more than 16, we can either expand the tournament or run two consecutive.. Don't worry, if you want to join and are committed, we will make it work..

Put me on the list, senior.

.....pwitty pwease?????

I'm up for this! I have a lot to bring to the table and I would respect my other debaters. This is going to awesome.

It's been awhile since I was in a Tournament...and there are some really strong candidates here...

I think that I would like to tentatively place myself on the list...

Double Post...

I would officially like to be counted in for this debate, sounds like a gas. Get ready for war! or peace depending on which side I get, huh? HUH?

Double post part II The Quickening

Originally posted by whatukno
reply to post by Esoteric Teacher

Please allow me to tell you what actually happens.

They purposely find the subjects you are the least likely to know anything about. Then, through careful research and sadistic planning they put you on the opposite side that you would normally take in the debate.

Trust me, these people who come up with these debate tournaments are truly evil.

Sounds great!

I'll do it.