#worldevents

Never back down from a debate. Let it get heated. Let it drag on. Let your debate partner give you every argument they’ve got. Let them hear everything you have to say. This is how we learn about controversial topics. We learn how to refute opposing views and we learn how our views can be refuted. We learn how to communicate with people on “the other side”. We learn how to understand their perspective, and how to make them understand ours. Don’t get personal. Don’t get defensive. Pay attention to what is said and ignore who is saying it. Fight ice with ice. Don’t tell me “it’s not worth the effort”. Understanding the barriers that exist between members of our society is the first step towards overcoming those barriers, and debate is the mechanism through which that understanding is most effectively achieved.