I have wanted scholars who take differing positions to be brought into a setting and argue with each other. This reaction was typically prompted by reading research reviews that invite written reactions. What if the interaction happened in real time?
A debate offers such interaction. Perhaps you experienced debate as a high school student. I have discovered a series of debates sponsored by NPR. One concerned the proposition – Technology makes us Dumb. I have read books written by those arguing for and against this proposal so I thought it would be interesting. Arguing for the proposition are Nicholas Carr and Andrew Keen. Arguing against the proposition are Genevive Bell and David Weinberger.
One frustration I remember as a debater was trying to shape the discussion so the parties involved were not talking about different things. In this debate, “dumb” seems defined as an aptitude, the capabilities of performance with and without technology, and the quality of self-selected behaviors. To me, these are different variables. So much for my believe that face to face interaction would result in clarity. Still the discussion was interesting.
The audience voted the debate a tie.
The phrase sharp tools, dull minds comes from Vivek Haldar.