A Tolkien debate - organisational thread - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Raynor · 14th January 2006, 09:03 PM

I would like to propose a Tolkien debate under the following rules:

(1) The suggested topic is: "did limiting the powers of the Istari by the Valar prolong the war against Sauron? And if so, was it a wise decision of the Valar to limit their powers?"

(2) There will be two teams, equal in size, each taking one side of the debate. People may put themselves forward, on this thread, to be on one of the teams - having two weeks at their disposal to do so, once the final format of the debate is agreed upon.

(3) Each team will have (at least) 2 members. When both teams have the agreed number members the debate may commence.

(4) The team that was filled first, posts first.

(5) The debate lasts exactly two weeks from the first post. (Extensions may be applied and will be granted at the discretion of the judges, if both sides agree and there seems to be more to be said.)

(6) Three judges need to be elected for voting for the winning team, which will occur on a separate thread (Kelpie, I hope you can find your two other judges

). Whichever team gets the most votes wins

(7) Normal standards of behaviour in the debate apply... try to be friendly and honest at all times.

I am looking forward to suggestions about any of the above and, of course, sign-ups ! I am sure it will be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to learn. So, what are you waiting for?

Marky Lazer · 14th January 2006, 09:09 PM

I'm not yet sure about this whole thing, but guess I have to join in anyway (don't want to let people down after my frequent appearances in the Tolkien threads).

Edit: Ok, I'm opting for "it was a good idea the powers of the wizards were limited."

Teresa Edgerton · 14th January 2006, 09:43 PM

You might want your judges to be people with some background in debate, Raynor -- I have none.

I may be opinionated and ... er, forceful in stating my opinions, but I spent my entire time in school avoiding anything in the way of public speaking, which meant staying as far away from formalized debates as I could get.

Raynor · 14th January 2006, 09:55 PM

I don't think that's a problem; we are not staging something formal or too "serious". We could even settle for fewer judges or we could find them after the debate is over. One way or the other, I hope you will take an active part

.

Marky Lazer · 15th January 2006, 11:27 AM

I don't really understand why we need judges... This isn't about 'winning' is it? Just about discussing topics in the greatest fictional universe.

Raynor · 15th January 2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

This isn't about 'winning' is it?

In a certain sense, it is: about winning more knowledge and sharpening our debating skills. Most Tolkien forums have this and it is an opportunity of great fun too.. I think it is worth at least a try. If it won't occur at all, no harm done

.

cornelius · 15th January 2006, 12:47 PM

my tolkien - knowledge does't reach much further than lotr and a few extracts from other works. I'll stay a bit quite and chip in when possible

Raynor · 15th January 2006, 01:43 PM

And on which side of the debate will you be?

cornelius · 15th January 2006, 02:12 PM

opting for "good idea"

I'll explain oce the debat has begun.

Gwydion · 16th January 2006, 01:03 AM

looks cool. i'll defend 'limited powers, good idea.'

Teresa Edgerton · 16th January 2006, 01:14 AM

Another reason why I shouldn't be a judge is because I already have an opinion in the matter. If I did participate, it would be in support of "the Valar knew what they were doing."

(Hmmm. It looks like you may have a little trouble filling up the other team, Raynor.)

Marky Lazer · 16th January 2006, 09:03 AM

If need be, I'll step up for the other team.

Raynor · 16th January 2006, 08:28 PM

Thanks Marky, it seems that we will be team mates hehe.

In accordance with the rules, there still are almost two weeks for people to sign up (and if we change the rules/topic, the two week count for signing up restarts), so for the time being I will wait a bit .

However, do you guys feel that the debate subject should be even more solidly related to the Lord of the rings (or Hobbit for that matter)? I am more than open to suggestions.

HieroGlyph · 17th January 2006, 01:30 AM

Hmmm, interesting...

Chris, we'll need you here (regardless of where you stand). Please!

I dont think we require a neutral judge, myself.

I'm going to attempt to debate 'against' limitation, purely as an exercise. Ive never taken the opposite 'side' beyond a few feable attempts.

1) The Limiters: Cornelius and Gwydion

2) Kelpie

3) The Unlimiters: Raynor, Marky and HG

cornelius · 20th January 2006, 06:33 PM

hmm, is this thing on?

* taps on microphone*

14th January 2006, 09:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Raynor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 145	A Tolkien debate - organisational thread I would like to propose a Tolkien debate under the following rules: (1) The suggested topic is: "did limiting the powers of the Istari by the Valar prolong the war against Sauron? And if so, was it a wise decision of the Valar to limit their powers?" (2) There will be two teams, equal in size, each taking one side of the debate. People may put themselves forward, on this thread, to be on one of the teams - having two weeks at their disposal to do so, once the final format of the debate is agreed upon. (3) Each team will have (at least) 2 members. When both teams have the agreed number members the debate may commence. (4) The team that was filled first, posts first. (5) The debate lasts exactly two weeks from the first post. (Extensions may be applied and will be granted at the discretion of the judges, if both sides agree and there seems to be more to be said.) (6) Three judges need to be elected for voting for the winning team, which will occur on a separate thread (Kelpie, I hope you can find your two other judges ). Whichever team gets the most votes wins (7) Normal standards of behaviour in the debate apply... try to be friendly and honest at all times. I am looking forward to suggestions about any of the above and, of course, sign-ups ! I am sure it will be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to learn. So, what are you waiting for?

14th January 2006, 09:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Marky Lazer Plastic Paddy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,707	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread I'm not yet sure about this whole thing, but guess I have to join in anyway (don't want to let people down after my frequent appearances in the Tolkien threads). Edit: Ok, I'm opting for "it was a good idea the powers of the wizards were limited." Last edited by Marky Lazer; 14th January 2006 at 09:24 PM.

14th January 2006, 09:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Teresa Edgerton Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Posts: 4,474	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread You might want your judges to be people with some background in debate, Raynor -- I have none. I may be opinionated and ... er, forceful in stating my opinions, but I spent my entire time in school avoiding anything in the way of public speaking, which meant staying as far away from formalized debates as I could get.

14th January 2006, 09:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Raynor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 145	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread I don't think that's a problem; we are not staging something formal or too "serious". We could even settle for fewer judges or we could find them after the debate is over. One way or the other, I hope you will take an active part .

15th January 2006, 11:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Marky Lazer Plastic Paddy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,707	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread I don't really understand why we need judges... This isn't about 'winning' is it? Just about discussing topics in the greatest fictional universe.

15th January 2006, 12:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
cornelius former axe demon Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 847	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread my tolkien - knowledge does't reach much further than lotr and a few extracts from other works. I'll stay a bit quite and chip in when possible

15th January 2006, 01:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
Raynor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 145	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread And on which side of the debate will you be?

15th January 2006, 02:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
cornelius former axe demon Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 847	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread opting for "good idea" I'll explain oce the debat has begun.

16th January 2006, 01:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
Gwydion Hook's personal aid Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 69	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread looks cool. i'll defend 'limited powers, good idea.'

16th January 2006, 01:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
Teresa Edgerton Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Posts: 4,474	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread Another reason why I shouldn't be a judge is because I already have an opinion in the matter. If I did participate, it would be in support of "the Valar knew what they were doing." (Hmmm. It looks like you may have a little trouble filling up the other team, Raynor.)

16th January 2006, 09:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
Marky Lazer Plastic Paddy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,707	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread If need be, I'll step up for the other team.

16th January 2006, 08:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
Raynor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 145	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread Thanks Marky, it seems that we will be team mates hehe. In accordance with the rules, there still are almost two weeks for people to sign up (and if we change the rules/topic, the two week count for signing up restarts), so for the time being I will wait a bit . However, do you guys feel that the debate subject should be even more solidly related to the Lord of the rings (or Hobbit for that matter)? I am more than open to suggestions.

17th January 2006, 01:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
HieroGlyph 70% water... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 376	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread Hmmm, interesting... Chris, we'll need you here (regardless of where you stand). Please! I dont think we require a neutral judge, myself. I'm going to attempt to debate 'against' limitation, purely as an exercise. Ive never taken the opposite 'side' beyond a few feable attempts. 1) The Limiters: Cornelius and Gwydion 2) Kelpie 3) The Unlimiters: Raynor, Marky and HG

20th January 2006, 06:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
cornelius former axe demon Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 847	Re: A Tolkien debate - organisational thread hmm, is this thing on? * taps on microphone*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: