A talker. That’s the word one of my old editors would use to describe a story that would stoke conversation—and have an outsized impact on the culture. Last week, we published one of them.
James Fishback, a former debate champion, wrote about the hijacking of high school debate. Everyone from Rep. Ro Khanna to former Harvard President Larry Summers was tweeting about the story. And we figured you might want to talk about it, too.
So this Thursday, June 1, at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST we’re hosting a subscriber-only event with James, Free Press managing editor Margi Conklin, current student debaters, and a longtime debate coach.
These are events open only to paying subscribers. Right now, you can become one for only $6.40 a month. Which is basically the price of a dozen eggs in 2023 America.
So sign up now—and we’re looking forward to seeing you this Thursday. We’ll send out a Zoom link the day of the event.
Hi everyone. I'm one of the former debaters who will be participating in the zoom meeting on Thursday. If anyone's curious to read an account of my experience with insane leftist ideological capture, see here. https://benthams.substack.com/p/the-things-about-insanity-in-debate
Here is a proposed focus for the discussion:
Resolved: that those expressing strong political opinions in public are obligated to articulate clearly the basis of their beliefs, specifically the principles which they hold dear, how they define those principles, and what facts they feel are relevant. Those unable to do so should not be taken seriously, and if they then attempt to use coercive power to impose their ideas, should rightly be judged by all as Fascistic in temperament, if not specific named political committment.
Yeah, that was a bit leading, but pretty much a place I would be happy to live, and most Leftists would refuse to touch. Once you take a clear position, you can't mutate on a dime, which is the actual game they play.