Debate Blind Spot

The failure to realize when you are no longer engaging in a good-faith debate to explore an issue, but are instead performing for an audience, protecting your status, or simply trying to exhaust your opponent. You believe you're having a noble battle of ideas, but you're blind to your own tactics of derailing, goalpost-moving, and rhetorical point-scoring that have destroyed any chance of mutual understanding.

Example: "The online thread was a cesspool because of debate blind spot. Both sides thought they were valiantly debating science. In reality, they were just dumping pre-written talking points, hunting for 'owns,' and playing to their respective follower bases. The blind spot was their shared belief this was a debate, when it was really two separate, angry monologues being broadcast at each other."

by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026

the debaters on friday

a fun little way to get the heck out of school

im going to the debaters on friday

by Reputablesource123 April 9, 2021

2 sided debate

Two opposing views, where both parties debate and present their arguments.

Topic: 'Smart phones make us stupid, agree or disagree?'

Girl: Smart phones make us stupid, because we always cheat using the phone.

Boy: There is no proof that smart phones make us stupid though.
Girl: You are using the smart phone and you have already failed the exams. Duh! You have lost the 2 sided debate!

by Lisa Pang January 30, 2021

Speech and Debate

1. Club in which members can actually talk in front of a group of people with out sweating like a fat kid running the mile in July.

2. The art of public Speaking.

3. The sexiest group of people ever.

Boy: "I just joined my High school speech and debate team."

Girl: "Really? It turns me on when people can talk in front of people"

by Joshua D. T. April 28, 2009

spufo debate

A combination of Public Forum debate and Spontaneous Argumentation to create the ultimate form of two man camaraderie in the desperate fight for logic. First formulated by Arman and Garrett

My Partner and I received first place at the debate tournament for SPUFO debate

by drfumbles2365 May 11, 2016

speech and debate

Officially established under the National Forensic League, and the National Catholic Forensic League
generally consists of the following categories:

OO- original oratory- ten minute original memorized speech on any topic you want as long as it has contemporary significance - the best category in my opinion

DI/HI- dramatic/ humorous interpretation- ten minute memorized monolage usually about rape and death unless its humorous then its obviously about something else - unless you find those kind of things....funny?

OI- oral interpretation- the reading of poetry and prose- very artsy very interesting if you are into that sort of thing

DEC- declamation- memorized non-original speech pretty straightforward - sorry fellas -only for freshmen and sophmores

EXTEMP- extemporaneous speaking- you have to make an "extemp box" with newspapers and magazines, you get 30 minutes to make an seven minute speech off the top of your head after drawing a random card on current events. - its super fun.

DUO- duo - two people in a memorized ten minute exchange of acting , except you cant face or touch....ha each other , yes those are rules.

LD- Lincoln Douglas Debate- one on one debate - ur given a resolution and you roll with it make sure you prepare a negative and affirmative case beforehand.

POLICY- policy debate - team debate. Exactly that.
CONGRESS- i seriously have no idea what this is but its really only at national or college tournaments

Speech and Debate is a club- not a way of life as some would suggest
but it takes alot of time if you really care about it
don't get carried away
its not cool to wear "forensics" lettermen jackets. and it never will be.
This club is a great way to meet people, sound intelligent, improve your studying and memorization skills and have alot of fun. ( yes im really serious)
GO JOIN YOUR FORENSICS TEAM!!!

boy: "want to see a movie this weekend?"
girl: "I can't i have a forensics tournament"
boy: "Forensics? like CSI"
girl: " no, its speech and debate"
boy: "oh....cool"
girl: "yes i am"
boy: "how about next weekend?"
girl; "ok"

by &hearts& June 21, 2006

speech and debate

A club that colleges love , but most people hate. Speech and Debaters are classified as geeks, but really they just know what they want- a career. And usually the people that look down upon speech and debate are the retards that are going to be pumping gas in four years anyway - so it doesn't matter

i wish i was cool enough to be in speech and debate

by kollective April 25, 2005