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Re: Decline of Debate

In-Reply-To: ORUNIX:ceda-l@cornell.edu's message of 06-15-94 10:19

I disagree with the premise of Tom Murphy's thread that <debate is declining in
society>

It's always simple to use the media as the scapegoat and I'd agree with what's
been asserted by Steve Hunt and others, but I'd add that the most visible of
commerical mainstream media produce the illusion that quality debate is on the
decline. Rather, I'd assert that with the diversity of voices now involved in
debate about issues of social, political, and economic importance, debate has
increased in quantity and quality.

It's terribly disconcerting to observe the circus that is the mainstream
communication outlets. However, with the rise of the internet, innumerable
specialized papers and journals, Cable access, and even some independent films,
the American conversation has increased in size and scope. Sure, it's often
terribly messy and convoluted, but consider the world of 1994.

Quality debate is out there, it just takes a bit of searching to find it.
Academic forums, political discussions, panels etc... It's not on the big
three, nor rarely in the majority of big city newspapers, but it exists
nonetheless.

As far as the great speakers, I think that's truly an interesting question and
perhaps worthy of a thread of its own. Who do we consider the "great speakers"
of the day? Who are the MLK's, JFK's and Churchill's of today? I'd love to hear
input and would like to cast one vote for my fellow Italian, the wonderfully
self-contradicting Mario Cuomo.

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