Debate.org: Miscellaneous Debates

PRO should have won this debate.

2009-11-06T17:09:59-08:00

(Debating Period) The debate: http://www.debate.org/debates/The-Nintendo-Wii-is-the-best-video-game-console./1/ In this debate, my opponent will analyze the debate linked above. I will argue that PRO should have won. My opponent will argue that CON should have won. We will both discuss Conduct, Spelling and Grammar, Arguments, and Sources, properly weighted. Whoever wins Arguments for this debate is voted the Arguments and Sources points. Spelling/Grammar and Conduct are normal. For example, if it is concluded that PRO should have won Sources, Conduct, and Grammar (four points), but CON should have won Arguments (three points), then the Arguments and Sources votes for this debate would go to PRO. In the hypothetical situation in which, say, PRO definitely won three points, but Arguments is up for grabs by either PRO or CON, then PRO would be considered the proper victor, because any decent number of votes would give the advantage to PRO. Now, to analyze the key conte

WTC 7 was a controlled demolition

2009-11-05T23:01:56-08:00

(Debating Period) I am here to scientifically prove the world trade center seven was a controlled demolition. Here are the forces that destroy buildings; Fires Controlled demolition earthquake or an explosion http://www.ae911truth.org/ppt_web/2hour/slideshow.php?i=25 A typical controlled demolition has several characteristics 1. A sudden onset of destruction at base of structure 2. strait down, symmetrical collapse into footprint 3. Demolition waves remove column support 4. Free-fall speed though path of greatest resistance 5. Total dismemberment of steel structure for shipping 6. Minimal damage to adjacent structures 7. sounds and flashes of explosives 8. Enormous clouds of pulverized concrete 9. Squibs: Explosive charges visible at upper floors 10. Chemical evidence of cutter charges I will now explain how WTC 7 demonstrates each of these characteristics, but first lets learn about World Trade Center 7. It was 47 stories tall, it would b

Extemp: Goth girls are prettier than preppy girls

2009-11-06T23:13:17-08:00

(Voting Period) 1 round extemporaneous: Contention 1: Devian http://fc00.deviantart.com/fs35/f/2008/307/1/4/Just_like_a_gothic_girl____by_The_Dark_Silhouette.jpg Contention 2: Kat von D http://www.dhadm.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/katvond.jpg Contention 3: Pauley Perrette http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/49/09/0000034909_20061021034308.jpg Contention 4: Vampress http://ll-images.veoh.com/thumb/w277/user-vampire-girl10117.gif Contention5: Shell http://www.debate.org/wonderwoman/photos/album/358/3153/

If a woodchip is broken in half it becomes 2 pieces of a woodchip not 2 woodchips

2009-10-31T10:33:48-08:00

(Voting Period) Considering the fact that a woodchip is manufactured once in has been broken in two the original manufactured woodchip can no longer be a woodchip, but two pieces of the original manufactured woodchip.

Alcoholics Anonymous is NOT a cult

2009-11-05T11:30:50-08:00

(Voting Period) More than 100,000 Americans die a year from alcohol (Vaillant, 435). AA is not a cult. Rather helps alcoholics to achieve sobriety so they live happy, useful lives. I would like to go ahead and thank my opponent for accepting this debate. I am looking forward to an intelligent debate, I do request only an opponent that has adequate time to spend on their responses and can respond in a timely fashion to join this debate. Oxford English Dictionary defined "cult" as: "Worship; reverential homage rendered to a divine being or beings" "A particular form or system of religious worship; especially in reference to its external rites and ceremonies" Definition of Alcoholics Anonymous: a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. (www.aa.org) For more definitions that will be use for the debate please see http://www.step

should there be welfare

2009-11-02T15:31:40-08:00

(Voting Period) I will let my opponent go 1st

Only you can prevent wildfires.

2009-09-19T11:20:11-08:00

(Post Voting Period) Ah, the infamous Smokey the Bear and his illogical and unrealistic expectations. Nary an American born citizen exists who cannot recall from memory the baritone plea, "Only you can prevent forest fires." As though this unreasonable expectation weren't enough, his current motto is now, "Only you can prevent wildfires." It's not enough that you are responsible to save the forest, but the grasslands are your sole responsibility as well. I am firmly against Smokey's motto. I disagree that only you can prevent wildfires. No, I more than disagree. I assert that it is absolutely impossible. 1. Smokey's motto is logically incoherent. only - adj. 1. Alone in kind or class; sole: an only child; the only one left. 2. Standing alone by reason of superiority or excellence. [1] you - pron. 1. Used to refer to the one or ones being addressed: I'll lend you the book. You shouldn't work so hard. See Regional Notes at you-all, you-uns. 2. Used to refer to an indefini

I will not contradict myself.

2009-10-24T20:32:35-08:00

(Voting Period) Resolved: I, Nails, will not contradict myself. Rules: 1. CON must post 10 questions, directed at PRO, that could be answered with a 'yes' or 'no' or else CON loses. This does not apply to the final round. 2. PRO must respond to all questions posed by CON in some manner or else PRO loses. 3. If PRO's response does not give any opinion (e.g. "I don't know" or "I'm not sure"), then CON is entitled to another question next round. This is the only reason CON may post more than 10 questions. 4. PRO wins if he is found never to have contradicted himself. Likewise, CON wins if he can prove that PRO has contradicted himself. 5. Only statements made by PRO in rounds 2, 3, and 4 of this debate are subject to be examined for contradiction. No outside sources (my profile, previous debates, etc.) are applicable. Statements made by PRO in this debate not in direct response to any question posed by CON are still applicable. =========== I've enjoyed read

Eminem is a better rapper than Lil Wayne

2009-11-01T13:50:52-08:00

(Voting Period) I argue that Eminem is a better rapper than Lil Wayne. I'm just going to present my facts straight up, and let my opponent refute them. Contention 1- Eminem raps about the things that matter. Eminem raps about a missed childhood, being left by his father at a young age, and a pill addiction. Lil Wayne raps about money, hoes, and more hoes. And more money. And bigger wheels. And more money. Point is, Lil Wayne spits the superficial materials of life. What would you rather listen to? An emotionally heart-and-gut-wrenching 4 minute song about the loss of your daughter, or "A Milli"? :/ Contention 2- Eminem has sold more albums than Lil Wayne Both Lil Wayne AND Eminem have both been in the mainstream rap industry for about the same time, from 1999-present. That being said, Eminem has sold over 80 million albums, while Lil Wayne has sold a mere 6.5 million albums. Clearly, people would rather listen to Eminem. Contention 3- Eminem is white, wh

The fat should be made to buy two seats on planes

2009-04-02T16:15:12-08:00

(Voting Period) I was involved in a rather unpleasant incident on a British Airways flight from Aberdeen to Heathrow recently. (1) The aircraft was an Airbus A319 with a single economy (coach) class cabin which was fitted with seats with a width of 17.0" (2) and the aisle seat I was allocated was located next to a grossly overweight gentleman, whose considerable girth was overflowing onto my seat, thus preventing me from putting the armrest down or fastening my seatbelt. I therefore challenged the man and here is the gist of the ensuing confrontation: Me: Excuse me, you appear to be sitting on part of my seat, would you be kind enough to move over so I can sit down? Overweight Passenger: I'm sorry, but I'm as far over as I can get. Me: Then may I suggest you move somewhere else where there are two free seats together? Overweight Passenger: Well, I don't think there are any left. If only they made the seats bigger there wouldn't be a problem. Me: Well the seats s

Pick your own debate - 1F

2009-10-22T17:16:53-08:00

(Voting Period) If you have participated or read any of these types of debates before, then this one should be no different. However, for those who haven't: ROUND 1: This obviously includes this opening introduction and rules. For my opponent, he/she will post 3 topics (clarify them if you could) he/she wishes to debate, and then post his/her position on each of the topics. Please try to add a mix of subjects. Have some deal with religion, others with politics, others with art, others with social issues, etc. ROUND 2-4: I will start my case by supporting or attacking one of three topics my opponent proposed. It should follow throughout as a normal 3-Round debate. *NOTE* - I realize that politics are almost undoubtedly tangled with social issues, but a somewhat cut between the two would be fine. By politics, I imagine topics such as what is the best political system, what role does the government play, economics, taxes, so on and so forth. By social issues, I imagine t

Axis Showdown: Germany would have annihilated Japan.

2009-10-22T09:14:08-08:00

(Post Voting Period) Good luck, have fun and keep it clean. This is my first debate on here, so wish me luck. :D Both of the two Axis Powers mentioned in the title are extremely powerful. Both are particularly effective on a certain terrain and climate. For example, Japan's battle fleet was one of the largest in the world, and it featured the largest battleship of the time. However, it was hampered by several factors. Its strategy was based on the fleet as its backbone and island hopping as its progressive tactics. Its military numbers were substantially smaller. There are many more decisive factors that I think decide the issue. I daren't continue until somebody accepts - I wouldn't want to scare everybody off at this point... :D One thing I think is integral in this debate, and, if you're willing to agree upon, is to ensure that most terrains are considered in the battle. I imagine that Japan has certain advantages in the island hopping techniques (amphibious APCs and

Objectivism fails to describe an adequate meta-ethical answer for the is-ought problem.

2009-10-12T11:54:23-08:00

(Voting Period) I thank theLwerd for accepting this debate challenge, and I hope it becomes an enriching debate for both of us. I have specifically made this a 4 round debate because of the following reasons: since there are some hefty terms included in my resolution, I will define and elaborate on them. Then, I would like for my opponent to give a defense of Rand's Objectivism in her first round - this is not so much because of laziness, but rather so I don't have to presuppose anything my opponent does not believe in. Unfortunately, I am not so well-versed in Objectivism as to know whether or not there are differing views about it; so as a precaution, I ask of my opponent to supply her defense of Objectivist meta-ethics. So as stated, I will define the terms I have used, await my opponent's argument, then continue on with this debate as a normal 3-Round debate would: ==================== Definitions of terms and phrases ==================== [Objectivism] [htt

the legalization of marijuana

2009-10-29T10:31:49-08:00

(Voting Period) well to start, im sick of getting arrested for carrying at least an ounce of mary jane on me....its not right so thats why today i argue that we should legalize marijuana in illinois. many or everyone in illinois would agree, "yes the economy sucks and we need to fix it" -average american and now we must take a stand. marijuana has done many great things for us given us a perspective of things in this world that a regular normal life would not give us. time magazine states In fact, the default fate of any politician who publicly considers the legalization of marijuana is to be cast into the outer darkness. this may in fact be true because many of the things that america has tried to do for us by giving us the economic stimulus package and so many bailouts we have to owe ourselves for it.... but our solution has been smoked for over a few thousand years and boy we really need pots help now. many politicians would be looked at as bad people bc of the leg

ReganFan is a failure on this website.

2009-10-28T20:35:44-08:00

(Post Voting Period) I affirm the resolution, "ReganFan is a failure on this website." I am creating this debate topic in response to ReganFan's debate, displayed here: http://www.debate.org/debates/studentathletechristian8-fail/1/ Definitions: ReganFan- the user known as ReganFan on this site. http://www.debate.org/ReganFan/ failure- a person or thing that proves unsuccessful. this website- www.debate.org. ReganFan is a failure on this website. He has been in over twenty-five debates, and has failed to win any of them. On the forums, he has created uselss threads and has turned into a troll. Here are several examples: http://www.debate.org/forums/debate.org/topic/2292/ http://www.debate.org/forums/debate.org/topic/2292/ That is all for the argumentation. I thank my opponent, the readers, and await a rebuttal.

Nothing can exist

2009-08-17T18:52:54-08:00

(Voting Period) This will be my first ever debate. So please forgive any protocols I do not observe. I propose it is not possible nothingness can exist. Whoever wishes to take this topic I would like to thank you for indulging me.

My opponent logged in to DDOChat as JickityJackityJoe

2009-10-01T23:54:22-08:00

(Voting Period) Someone logged in to DDOChat tonight and claimed to be Logical-Master. He told me to challenge him to a debate, so I did.

TheLwerd is a decent human being with a good head on her shoulders.

2009-09-04T18:44:55-08:00

(Voting Period) On theLwerd's profile, it says "I'd like to think that I'm a decent human being with a good head on my shoulders. Feel free to debate me on it if you disagree." I take that challenge. I am going to be taking multiple routes of argumentation. Definitions (from Merriam-Webster) Decent: conforming to standards of propriety, good taste, or morality. Conform: to be similar or identical. Good: of a favorable character or tendency. On: used as a function word to indicate position in contact with and supported by the top surface of . Head: the upper or anterior division of the animal body that contains the brain, the chief sense organs, and the mouth. (see http://kottkegae.appspot.com/images/eddie-murphy-giant-head.jpg) Neck: the part of an animal that connects the head with the body. (see http://www.wunderkabinett.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/long_neck.jpg) Shoulder: the laterally projecting part of the human bod

A duplicate of you is not you.

2009-08-22T18:42:37-08:00

(Voting Period) I'd like to thank my opponent in advance for accepting this debate. May I be proved wrong, or, may teleportation never be a possible, viable technology to be used in the future (ie: may it not be invented). Firstly, I'd like to delineate the parameters of this thought experiment and philosophical conundrum for the purpose of clarifying my position. The premises are simple: A duplicate of you is not you. I am not arguing whether or not teleportation is possible or even feasible as a technology from an engineering or physics perspective, nor am I arguing whether I 'should' survive such a perfected technology were I to voluntarily use it to get somewhere quickly (presumably) without the hassle and wasted time. My argument is that there is no way in which you can possibly experience life as the duplicate after having been the original - therefore, that guy over there is not me. Case in point: If while I slept in my bed at home here on Earth, an alien b

L-M Classic: Clockwork v. Mongoose

2009-07-29T18:35:33-08:00

(Voting Period) This Ultimate Team War debate is part of Round 2 of the LM classic tournament. Information about the tournament, including rules and guidelines, can be found at http://www.debate.org/forums/debate.org/topic/1972/. If disputes arise on the interpretation of the rules, quotes from the list of Tournament Rules should preferably be used. The tournament judges for this debate will be feverish and burningpuppies101. CLOCKWORK 1. Darkseid (Genesis Series) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkseid http://www.superherodb.com/profile.php?hero=Darkseid Darkseid possesses superhuman strength, stamina and durability slightly surpassing Superman, as well as wielding an advanced intellect. In addition, he wields the Omega Effect, beams fired from his eyes that act either as an extremely destructive concussive force or to destroy almost all matter that it comes in contact with. Anything destroyed by the Omega Effect can be restored by Darkseid at will. Darkseid