Today’s Times featured a column with advice from Bo Seo, a two-time debating world champion. I have no idea who decides who is the world champion, but Mr. Seo offers some excellent advice, including asking yourself before you get into a debate–is this something worth arguing about?
He also says that once you decide to argue, know what it is you are arguing about. Determine the fact or the judgement you would like someone else to accept.
He notes that a coach told him that tearing down the other team is not the same as proving your point. In the coach’s words, “No amount of no is going to get you to yes.”
I get all of that. I also know that some topics are easier to debate than others. If I think the best way to reduce inflation is for the Fed to raise the interest rate, while you think the Administration should cut spending, we could probably have a reasoned debate, especially if each of us could cite examples and past experience.
On the other hand, suppose your debating partner says the 2020 presidential election was stolen. You say, “Where is your evidence? He says, “I know it was stolen” or cites some bogus claim that Biden votes were brought into Detroit in suitcases. Your best strategy there is to walk away. You can’t fix stupid.
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