That was really intersting to read, thanks, it was really perceptive and entertaining. I always think there is something different that sets people different from those who persue this untilmately futile hobby. Most hobbies have real life tangible benefits but debate seems to promise that and ultimately not deliver. All you gain from years of yelling is some soft skills and random facts.
To debate (competitively) is to expose yourself to such a multifaceted activity that the words that will eventually come out to describe your feelings and thoughts about it will be neither indifferent, nor boring.
Thank you for sharing your thoughs from last year. I read it all without a pause.
20 years after my last active participation as an adjudicator at a World's - Dublin 2006 (just a passing outrounds spectator at Thessaloniki 2016) and 25 years after my last 8 WUDC debates (Glasgow 2001 never had a 9th preliminary round due to heavy snow), your words capture elusive memories of the exuberance of being young amongst other youth from all over the world that were willing and able to communicate about everything. I appreciated the psychoanalytic references (seems quite fitting) and the description of the inner and outer pandemonium that a World's can be. Kudos.
Thanks Manolis, this comment put a smile on my face! Despite all the talk about how norms and standards change over time, it’s crazy to think about how the fundamental experience of throwing at yourself at this peculiar little activity hasn’t changed much at all. “Elusive memories of the exuberance of being young amongst other youth” captures it well. There may be no other time where I’ll be surrounded by so much brilliance from worlds apart.
That was really intersting to read, thanks, it was really perceptive and entertaining. I always think there is something different that sets people different from those who persue this untilmately futile hobby. Most hobbies have real life tangible benefits but debate seems to promise that and ultimately not deliver. All you gain from years of yelling is some soft skills and random facts.
Thanks Quinith - questionable soft skills, random facts, vocal cord (and psychic?) damage. That sums it up perfectly.
To debate (competitively) is to expose yourself to such a multifaceted activity that the words that will eventually come out to describe your feelings and thoughts about it will be neither indifferent, nor boring.
Thank you for sharing your thoughs from last year. I read it all without a pause.
20 years after my last active participation as an adjudicator at a World's - Dublin 2006 (just a passing outrounds spectator at Thessaloniki 2016) and 25 years after my last 8 WUDC debates (Glasgow 2001 never had a 9th preliminary round due to heavy snow), your words capture elusive memories of the exuberance of being young amongst other youth from all over the world that were willing and able to communicate about everything. I appreciated the psychoanalytic references (seems quite fitting) and the description of the inner and outer pandemonium that a World's can be. Kudos.
Thanks Manolis, this comment put a smile on my face! Despite all the talk about how norms and standards change over time, it’s crazy to think about how the fundamental experience of throwing at yourself at this peculiar little activity hasn’t changed much at all. “Elusive memories of the exuberance of being young amongst other youth” captures it well. There may be no other time where I’ll be surrounded by so much brilliance from worlds apart.
It feels so odd to think that some people never develop the intellectual patience that debate instills.