I had a brilliant English teacher and Government teacher once, whom were both brilliant debaters. These men were the kind of guys I wanted to argue with, simply because it was fun the very few times they could be stumped! They both shared some words of wisdom for the future over how to win--or at the very least never lose--an argument. And today, because I promised Doctor Who* and did not have the time, and now see it's obviously irrelevant to make the post, I thought I'd make it up to you with some of their golden rules:
You may not be right, but you're also not wrong.
This beautiful paradox left most students in horrible confusion early in the school year, until the beautiful truth came out to us: no one is ever right in a debate. It's just clashing opinions.
It's only when you realize the objective isn't to prove the other person wrong, so much as convince them your opinion is better, that the silver lining to debating comes through.
Don't get frustrated.
This is easier said than done, especially when you're young: the teenage brain is a weird place. But it's absolutely correct! Your life does not depend on this debate, and unless you're hanging out with a huge bag of penises, there's a huge chance the victor won't be rubbing their victory all over your face (I hope you enjoy that mental image).
Questions are stupid people's kryptonite.
When people start to not make sense, don't get frustrated and beat them over the head with the answer until you're shaking. They're stupid. They don't understand that they're stupid. You need to guide them over to the correct answer. But how?
Ask questions until they see how bad their logic sucks. Any good rhetoric class will teach you the classic rhetorical fallacies to help guide you through all the major bullshit--and this will help you out a lot in life! Suddenly, you have this amazing superpower to let you see through everyone's crapcake! You can see the idiocies of the news station, feel the atrocities committed when people with ethos or logos walk up to a microphone!
It will be haggardly depressing.
Educate yourself
In the eternal words of Ice Cube, you gotta check yourself before you wreck yourself (oh shit I felt old)! Nothing is more embarassing than throwing out a false fact and having someone fact-check your ass!
Always stay on top of the news, and look at different sides of the coin. I'm not talking Fox or MSNBC. Read the paper, man! You can download the app for your phone.
And my own personal tip:
Do not back the fuck off because you're fabulous and will paint OTP fanart in the blood of your enemies Hold yourself in high regards
Sure, no one is every right. And the key to a good argument is to be able to convince others you're correct.
But don't ever back down. Even if it ends in a draw, you will not be wrong!
With lots of love
Nikola Strange.
--------------(^ 3 ^)-----------------------------------
*Do any of you still want a Doctor Who post? One up this post if you do (I don't bite, it's safe to interact with me)
You may not be right, but you're also not wrong.
This beautiful paradox left most students in horrible confusion early in the school year, until the beautiful truth came out to us: no one is ever right in a debate. It's just clashing opinions.
It's only when you realize the objective isn't to prove the other person wrong, so much as convince them your opinion is better, that the silver lining to debating comes through.
Don't get frustrated.
This is easier said than done, especially when you're young: the teenage brain is a weird place. But it's absolutely correct! Your life does not depend on this debate, and unless you're hanging out with a huge bag of penises, there's a huge chance the victor won't be rubbing their victory all over your face (I hope you enjoy that mental image).
Questions are stupid people's kryptonite.
When people start to not make sense, don't get frustrated and beat them over the head with the answer until you're shaking. They're stupid. They don't understand that they're stupid. You need to guide them over to the correct answer. But how?
Ask questions until they see how bad their logic sucks. Any good rhetoric class will teach you the classic rhetorical fallacies to help guide you through all the major bullshit--and this will help you out a lot in life! Suddenly, you have this amazing superpower to let you see through everyone's crapcake! You can see the idiocies of the news station, feel the atrocities committed when people with ethos or logos walk up to a microphone!
It will be haggardly depressing.
Educate yourself
In the eternal words of Ice Cube, you gotta check yourself before you wreck yourself (oh shit I felt old)! Nothing is more embarassing than throwing out a false fact and having someone fact-check your ass!
Always stay on top of the news, and look at different sides of the coin. I'm not talking Fox or MSNBC. Read the paper, man! You can download the app for your phone.
And my own personal tip:
Sure, no one is every right. And the key to a good argument is to be able to convince others you're correct.
But don't ever back down. Even if it ends in a draw, you will not be wrong!
With lots of love
Nikola Strange.
--------------(^ 3 ^)-----------------------------------
*Do any of you still want a Doctor Who post? One up this post if you do (I don't bite, it's safe to interact with me)
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