Matt Taylor
New
Being bored at work, this debate could be a very interesting distraction. So, in the interest of me selfishly looking for a sideline activity, I submit the following:
The rules of this debate need to change. Alford doesn't have a shot in the currnet format, but not because he doesn't know what he's talking about or can't communicate clearly. I don't know what he knows or doesn't know, but he certainly puts his thoughts into words well, and he seems like he's got a good sense of humor and, for my money, on open mind and a willingness to listen, digest, and respond. That's rare, and I think it's a sign of intelligence.
Brian is the same way, in my opinion. He, too, listens and digests. So we have the makings for a good debate here, which could possibly be very informative for others on the site and at the very least will provide an interesting reprieve from a normal work day.
The structure of the debate needs to change, I think, so that David Alford will participate on a more level playing field.
From what I know of Brian, he ain't going to back down to a fair fight. No way. I don't know Alford, but from his posts I see a willingness to rumble.
My suggestion is to have the forum come up with a list of topics for these guys to debate. I don't think we're going to get anywhere with Brian and Alford throwing out topics. It's never a fair debate when one of the debaters picks the topic, because he's already got a huge advantage -- he's steered the entire discussion into a realm in which he wants the discussion to reside. Reference Michael Moore in any of his ridiculous interviews lately (all he does is ask whether you would send your child to Fallujah -- a false premis). Also, what the hell are they debating? Are they debating whether or not The Golfing Machine is the best instructional manual ever written? Is the purpose to determine who knows more about the golfing, or who the better teacher is? Are they trying to determine who Bobby Clampett's teacher was?
The thing is, for this debate to work, there must be a clearly defined point to it all.
Let's get one so I have something to read at work.
The rules of this debate need to change. Alford doesn't have a shot in the currnet format, but not because he doesn't know what he's talking about or can't communicate clearly. I don't know what he knows or doesn't know, but he certainly puts his thoughts into words well, and he seems like he's got a good sense of humor and, for my money, on open mind and a willingness to listen, digest, and respond. That's rare, and I think it's a sign of intelligence.
Brian is the same way, in my opinion. He, too, listens and digests. So we have the makings for a good debate here, which could possibly be very informative for others on the site and at the very least will provide an interesting reprieve from a normal work day.
The structure of the debate needs to change, I think, so that David Alford will participate on a more level playing field.
From what I know of Brian, he ain't going to back down to a fair fight. No way. I don't know Alford, but from his posts I see a willingness to rumble.
My suggestion is to have the forum come up with a list of topics for these guys to debate. I don't think we're going to get anywhere with Brian and Alford throwing out topics. It's never a fair debate when one of the debaters picks the topic, because he's already got a huge advantage -- he's steered the entire discussion into a realm in which he wants the discussion to reside. Reference Michael Moore in any of his ridiculous interviews lately (all he does is ask whether you would send your child to Fallujah -- a false premis). Also, what the hell are they debating? Are they debating whether or not The Golfing Machine is the best instructional manual ever written? Is the purpose to determine who knows more about the golfing, or who the better teacher is? Are they trying to determine who Bobby Clampett's teacher was?
The thing is, for this debate to work, there must be a clearly defined point to it all.
Let's get one so I have something to read at work.
