PC Mode
Org Mobile Site
Forum > Discussion > Backroom (Political) >
Thread: Debate Advice
ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88 16:42 11-10-2008
I'm going to be in my first Debate at TWC, about Do Violent Video Games and such cause Violent Actions in Kids (School shootings for example). I took the side of they do, just to see how I do.


Anyone got advice for me?

Reply
InsaneApache 16:43 11-10-2008
You're wrong.

Reply
LittleGrizzly 16:47 11-10-2008
paint the other side as violent neanderthals who use thier killing games as practice before they go on thier own killing spree....

you need some fancy soundbyte which the media agencys can repeat easily, Games are murder! or something similar...

do you believe the side your arguing for ?

you'll struggle to find people who agree with what your saying... though there are supporting arguments out there...

Reply
Ronin 16:56 11-10-2008
you´re wrong...so logic isn´t gonna get you anywhere.

what you need is to confuse the topic......make veiled accusations that your opponent is a terroristic communist and that he uses videogames as propaganda tools to brainwash the youth, and they will break into your houses and rape your womenfolk.....try to dig up some dirt on him...can´t find any? make it up, let your opponent try to disprove he collects nazi pajamas ....make sure some "independent" source makes this public just before the debate.

godspeed...and remember....it's not a lie if you believe it!

Reply
Pannonian 17:09 11-10-2008
If you believe in the position you're taking, it should be easy enough to argue for it. If you don't believe in the position you're taking, have a look at Dromikaites' Goebbels award thread, where he argues in favour of culling children, to see an example of arguing a position one is actually personally opposed to.

Reply
ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88 18:05 11-10-2008
Originally Posted by InsaneApache:
You're wrong.


yeah I know, but I can try

Thanks Everyone

Reply
Strike For The South 18:11 11-10-2008
Yell and scream and call your opponent a baby murderer who is threatening to take away the constitution. Thats what I do.

Reply
Louis VI the Fat 20:23 11-10-2008
Casually toss around the opinion of a famous philosopher on the subject. It never ceases to impress people. I do it all the time.
No need to worry about the correct application of the quote, the opponent hasn't read him anymore than you did.

Reply
FactionHeir 20:25 11-10-2008
See if you can find some literature on the topic that supports your argument. Like scour pubmed, web of knowledge or so.

Reply
Ser Clegane 20:31 11-10-2008
You might go for a "secondary" argument, i.e. instead of argueing that violent video games are the root cause of violence you could argue that they can serve as a trigger or catalyst that give inherently violent kids the final kick or help to cultivate an obsession about going on a killing spree.

Reply
Sarmatian 20:37 11-10-2008
Since there are millions of gamers playing violent games, and relatively few violent outbursts because of them, don't argue about the case in general. Use specific examples, with names and surnames. I remember I read some time ago about a kid who was violent and specifically said it was because he saw it in GTA 3. Google it around. If you try to argue the case in general, you'll probably lose, because your opponent has statistics to back him up.

Reply
Fragony 20:56 11-10-2008
When we were young we would play ninja after watching a kung-fu movies blabla

Good intro, easy to defend.

Reply
yesdachi 21:24 11-10-2008
Originally Posted by InsaneApache:
You're wrong.
The irony from a “debate advice” perspective is funny.


on topic:
The strawman tactic usually works around here

Reply
Yoyoma1910 21:41 11-10-2008
Photoshop images of the Mario Brothers performing violent acts against others.



Then use it as visual proof.

Reply
seireikhaan 22:32 11-10-2008
Depends on a few factors:

1) Is this going to be judged, by a neutral observer?

2) If so, in what format is the debate?

3) If judged, be sure to try and find sources for whatever you're backing, even if flimsy at best. Bad sources are better than none. Of course, if you can somehow find good sources on your subject, use those first.

4) If its not going to be judged, strawman the hell out of your opponent and most people will not notice the difference. IE- Bringing up lots of examples of violent people who didn't become have violent videogames. Quite likely, you'll goad your opponent into spewing more nonsense than yourself.

Reply
CountArach 22:36 11-10-2008
A quick google around says you are wrong, buuuut, wiki links to some sources who disagree with you. Try there.

Reply
Pannonian 00:03 11-11-2008
Originally Posted by seireikhaan:
Depends on a few factors:

1) Is this going to be judged, by a neutral observer?

2) If so, in what format is the debate?

3) If judged, be sure to try and find sources for whatever you're backing, even if flimsy at best. Bad sources are better than none. Of course, if you can somehow find good sources on your subject, use those first.

4) If its not going to be judged, strawman the hell out of your opponent and most people will not notice the difference. IE- Bringing up lots of examples of violent people who didn't become have violent videogames. Quite likely, you'll goad your opponent into spewing more nonsense than yourself.
AFAIK they take it in turns, and it's judged by popular vote/acclaim of whoever decides to read it and comment on it (there's a debate thread and an accompanying commentary thread). 4) won't work, as I'll warn him for off-topic posting.

Reply
InsaneApache 03:11 11-11-2008


Reply
seireikhaan 03:18 11-11-2008
Originally Posted by Pannonian:
AFAIK they take it in turns, and it's judged by popular vote/acclaim of whoever decides to read it and comment on it (there's a debate thread and an accompanying commentary thread). 4) won't work, as I'll warn him for off-topic posting.


In that case, good luck arguing that case.

Reply
Up
Single Sign On provided by vBSSO