Part Six: The Question of Solutions

[jmd9@cornell.edu (Jamey Dumas)]

THE QUESTION OF SOLUTIONS

Alex Bernardin has raised the idea of solutions to this problem.  Like Max,
I disagree that we need solutions.  First, because I think that fast debate
is beneficial.  And second, because I think that the status quo has a built
in solution:  judges with different opinions.

If all judges believed that fast debate was preferable, then I think that
many of the questions above would need to be answered differently (at least
the purpose of debate would need re-examination).  But, this is NOT the
case.  Many, if not most, judges in our region prefer slower debate.  Thus,
there are many rounds where "slow" teams do not need to worry about fast
debate, and "fast" teams need to learn how to debate slow.  Indeed, to the
degree that any of you think that debating fast "impairs" slow debate
skills you should have an even greater advantage in these rounds -- just
like fast debaters are at an advantage in fast rounds.  (And, I think, the
fact (?) that fast debaters are not equally disadvantaged by slow rounds is
proof that fast debate is not net disadvantageous...)

In addition, the West Point tournament already employs a similar "solution"
to the one mentioned by Alex.  The final round panel is composed of
V.I.P.'s (often high ranking military officers) who have no desire to
listen to fast debate.  (An interesting aside, my perception is that the
otherwise faster team has won this tournament for at least four of the last
five years.)

I think that other tournaments should feel free to make similar choices. 
BUT, I do not think that we need to take any organizational action to
eliminate fast debate.  If we did, I think that we would only serve to
eliminate potential benefits of the activity.

I am very interested in what you all have to think about this and other
issues.  Let's keep this list going.  Anyone have any other issues that
they want to see discussed?

Chat,

--Jamey

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