110 replies to this topic

[Saru]

There has been a slight change of plan with regards to the debates league, mainly due to the huge amount of time that would be involved in the league, and because already we've seen quite a few people step down before the league has even gotten started.

Instead we are going to host a 'debate tournament', a much smaller scale debate competition in which participants will only need to take part in two or three debates each.

We'll start with 8 participants, who will debate one another in four 1v1 debates. The winners will then continue on to the second round, and will play one another there. The two winners of this round will then debate against one another and the winner of that debate will have won the tournament.

The same rules apply to these tournament debates as to normal debates, and they will be judged in a similar manner also.

To organise this, to begin with we need all those who would like to take part in the tournament to post in this thread. Those who already signed up for the league can also post here to reaffirm their interest, and will take priority over newcomers for placements.

I want to apologise to the leaguers for this sudden change of plan, but I think the league's scope was far greater than was practical for the debates forum, and the tournament should provide a much smaller and more manageable contest for our participants.

Existing debates in this section will be able to continue through to completion before the tournament begins.

[thebarman]

Great idea!

Kudos to the person who thought that up, genius they must be  

[Paranoid Android]

Yeah, put me in for the tournament also.  Truth be told, when I first heard about the league, I thought it would be a knock-out competition (or maybe a group of pool matches, followed by the top 2 or 4 playing off in a knock-out round.  

Does that mean the first round of the league was largely irrelevant?  A suggestion, depending on how many people are in the league - maybe the winners of the first round of the League can maybe get a first round bye, with automatic entry into the second round (though it's a little problematic as to how that would impact on the debator's who lost but still wish to participate).

I dunno, just a thought to consider.

Edit:  another thought that just occured to me - the cut-throat nature of an elimination-based tournament might unfairly advantage or disadvantage certain debator's.  If the topic chosen to debate is right in the comfort zone of one debator, but a topic the other one has never studied, it can be a massive mismatch.  In a league format, chances are the topics you know well or not so well even out over the rounds and no one's disadvantaged, but with a one-loss-and-you're-out mentality, this might be a massive problem, with people getting through just by the luck of the debate they get assigned.

I don't know how to get around this without adding more debate's (which is what you're trying to avoid), but it's something that might need to be worked on.

Regards, PA

Edited by Paranoid Android, 02 May 2006 - 04:12 PM.

[frogfish]

Awwww....Oh welll...

Put me in for the Debate Tournament.

[Jack_of_Blades]

Is it too late for more debaters?

[Neo2005]

Ok sounds good,
But what is going to happen to the debates that are already half way through?

[AztecInca]

Quote

But what is going to happen to the debates that are already half way through?

As Saruman stated the debates will continue so that a winner can be determined. Those scores will then be added to the 2006 scoreboard.

[Immortal Norway]

Quote

we need all those who would like to take part in the tournament to post in this thread.

Like this ?

[thebarman]

Quote

Edit:  another thought that just occured to me - the cut-throat nature of an elimination-based tournament might unfairly advantage or disadvantage certain debator's.  If the topic chosen to debate is right in the comfort zone of one debator, but a topic the other one has never studied, it can be a massive mismatch.  In a league format, chances are the topics you know well or not so well even out over the rounds and no one's disadvantaged, but with a one-loss-and-you're-out mentality, this might be a massive problem, with people getting through just by the luck of the debate they get assigned.

I see where you're coming from but I'd argue that the sign of a good debater is one that can pick up any topic and be able to put over a convincing argument for whichever side, plus it might even encourage debaters to do that little bit more research.

Although already being familiar with the topic may be an advantage some research will still need to be done, I'm sure out of over 34,000 members we can find 8 who are willing to debate any topic, any side for the title.

[frogfish]

Quote

Those who already signed up for the league can also post here to reaffirm their interest, and will take priority over newcomers for placements

[et's daddy]

so can i get in, or am i out cause i lost my 1st league debate ?  

[AztecInca]

^ Your result in your one and only league debate will not in any way affect the application process. As we have stated before ALL leaguers will be given priority over other applicants.

[Abecrombie]

am i too late ? i want to be a part of this new debate idea as you can see ive never backed out ,...i just now read this new post , as it was posted yesterday, my computer printer , ive been trouble shooting and still dont have my printer  working ,but that will not stop me from debate . im interested and hopefully the board will favor me in due to my troubleshooting time and my efficiency from my prior debates here on the UM website. please consider my plee as i love this topic . DEBATES

Its what I live for  

wwhaa ahhahh waa{evil laugh no joke}
Abecrombie

Edited by abecrombi, 04 May 2006 - 12:19 PM.

[Abecrombie]

Quote

I see where you're coming from but I'd argue that the sign of a good debater is one that can pick up any topic and be able to put over a convincing argument for whichever side, plus it might even encourage debaters to do that little bit more research.

Although already being familiar with the topic may be an advantage some research will still need to be done, I'm sure out of over 34,000 members we can find 8 who are willing to debate any topic, any side for the title.

i must be a good debater, even if my oppentent failed to continue on with the topic at hand for whatever reason{ by the way it was a general debate between seaons ...} i was given one that challenged my  beliefs and was able to find enough info and creative sources at hand. i looked high and low and was able to work around my personal feelings by studying and researching for hours if neccessary.  enough to find much available or neutral directions to go forth with topic. ive never let the board down and  do not plan on it unless health issues come up . actually my health depends on using my brain to the fullest.  therefore i must use my brain the only way i know how. by using it the only way i know how  .read,research,..read, research thats why ill leave the rest to all the best . and hope im considererd . Tom petty ,like or know like says it best " i wont back down "

Edited by abecrombi, 04 May 2006 - 12:52 PM.

[Paranoid Android]

^^Yah, I see what you mean.  a good debator can find the info, but sometimes there's things just not available to the average person, even with extensive googling.

For example, if a debate was started: Stanislavsky vs Meyerhold, which is the better system, most people wouldn't know what the hell it was.  The info on the net will give you SOME knowledge, but not anywhere near an extensive list.  As opposed to myself who's studied these guys at uni for 3 years, have books full of them, articles with highlighted quotes just ready at my fingertips, a uni library full of rare books you can't get elsewhere on them.  

Not only do I have a wealth of knowledge that other people would not, I know the strengths and weaknesses of each of their systems already, I don't need to do a heap of research.

If you know what I mean.

Regards, PA