Jake, thanks for taking up the challenge. I'm posting here so the debate thread can contain only debate posts. As for "rules," I propose we use the format I mentioned above. Since you're the "pro" position, you would go first with your Opening Statement, then I would go with mine. Opening Statements would contain a basic summary of each sides' arguments. Then you post the first rebuttal/expanded argument, then I do likewise, and we take turns. I'm fine with either an open-ended length, or some limit like four "turns" each (or some other number). After we've taken our maximum number of "turns" or decided we've both made our full cases, we would do our Concluding Statements, you first, then me.
A couple other rules off the top of my head: No YouTube videos, and no plagiarism of anyone else's arguments. Citations should use proper footnoting (the "Nb" button above the smilies in the "toolbar" area) linking to any sources used, or giving a proper bibliographic citation if we cite a book.
Does that work for you? Do you have any specific preferences for length of the debate?
