IntenseDebate - StevenAdler

12 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - Paradigms and Principl... · 0 replies · +1 points

This is a really interesting topic. I'd also love to hear some discussion of how judges should evaluate 2AR RVIs in response to new 2NR theory.

12 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - Henson, Dorasil Contin... · 0 replies · +1 points

Variable performance is random; over time, the more skilled debater is just as likely to be on Aff as on Neg, so it is statistically unlikely that the randomness would accumulate in such a way to significantly skew the data. The p-value helps account for the likelihood of the results being due to that random variation rather than the causal factors Henson and Dorasil analyze. The randomness of variable skill is something to be considered, but studies can and do get out of that randomness by using a large amount of trials, controls, etc.

12 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - 2011/2012 Resolutions · 0 replies · +1 points

Also, "Resolved: A government has the obligation to lessen the economic gap between its rich and poor citizens" could involve progressive income taxes, estate taxes, etc. as a means of lessening the gap. I think the solution, if you don't want such a similar topic, is to just not vote for either, or to only vote for one.

I don't think this overlap is that unique though. We went from Criminal Justice (PH - N/D) to Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice - J/F) without that huge of a problem. Some people were able to recycle cards, but people were still largely rewarded for being innovative. I'm sure that would happen with the taxation resolutions as well.

12 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - Victor Reacts to Resol... · 0 replies · +1 points

From all accounts I've heard, being on the Topic Selection and Wording Committees are incredibly difficult, stressful, and time-crunched. I really appreciate all that the members do, so why don't we ease the burden on them (less unjustified criticism) and improve the topics (see: complaints about probably cause) by having a lengthier preliminary period before official wording is announced? If there were another few days added before the official decisions on topic wording, we probably could have addressed what seems like a crippling issue on a potential topic. Now, if it gets chosen, Negating won't be particularly educational, and if it doesn't get chosen, we wasted a topic slot.

Granted, the topics were up in rough form for about a day, but what's the harm to giving the community a few more to discuss the issue? Policy proposes a ton of different wordings for the same topic and then decide which is best; we could do the same. I understand Committee Members might want to vote in person, but if the vote comes after more discussion and thought because of the public discussion process, what would it hurt to vote by email or another method?

13 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - At-Larges Alerted · 0 replies · +1 points

I thought there was talk last year of specific people's spots on the waiting list. Am I misremembering, or was that all just incorrect speculation?

Also, congrats to Saleil Bhat from Los Altos on a much deserved at-large.

13 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - Paras Kumar Wins Harker · 0 replies · +1 points

Nick Blanchette--
Congratulations on what's been a phenomenal two-year career. To come as close to Kentucky as you did as a second-year debater is beyond me, and I know that you deserve it more than anyone. Your passion for the activity is incredible to watch, and I know you'll make a terrific coach. Seriously--eight clears at bid tournaments and three dropped bid rounds on 2-1s might be hard to swallow, but I know that this is just the beginning of your success in debate. The parli circuit has no idea what they're in for next year against Colorado College, and I expect to see you tearing up the competition at the NPTE. But in the meantime, go clean up at State and bring back a trophy--you deserve all the recognition you're bound to receive. I couldn't ask for a better teammate or a friend, and I've really enjoyed having you at tournaments this year. Just know that success is not defined by qualifying to the TOC; you have far more significant things to come.

13 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - Steven Adler Wins Stan... · 0 replies · +1 points

Some congrats are in order:

Nick Blanchette on a breakout national performance. 6-1, 6th seed, and a rough 2-1 decision Affirming in the bid round is quite the way to make a name for yourself. It sucks that you didn't win so we could hit in quarters, but I'm confident you'll get your bid in the next few weeks. Keep it up.

Lizzie Tao on 3rd speaker and yet another bid round. You're a beast, even if you aren't very good at crossword puzzles. I'm super excited for kentucky.

Matt "The DJ" Wang on a solid 4-3 performance as a sophomore, continuing the long streak of nearly breaking at national tournaments. I feel one coming up soon.

Henry, Wartinbee, Nikhil, and Fink on completing long-deserved quals, plus Saleil Bhat for clearing despite missing an entire round--quite the feat. Also Shmikler on bidding despite running DAs about reptiles and CPs about Jesus.

Finally, Paras on Top Speaker and Finals. I really enjoyed our round, and I'm glad you kicked off your string of NorCal tournaments with a great run.

13 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - Seventh Round Coin Flip? · 0 replies · +1 points

I agree with Paras--this seems pretty intuitive to me if the choice is only between tab assignment and flipping a coin. The only real difference between the two (since tab assignment is a virtual coin flip) is that tab assignment could result in each debater having to debate R7 on his or her least comfortable decide i.e. a debater who would prefer to flip Aff having to debate Neg and the opponent, who prefers Neg, having to Affirm. A coin flip would solve this back and make it so that never could each debater be on his or her least preferred side. Although I guess you could frame the mutually unhappy pairing as fairer than one in which one debater is happy and the other is not. Still, though, tab assignment doesn't remove the happy-unhappy situations either. Coin flip keeps those the same and just changes unhappy-unhappy to happy-happy.

I think the more interesting discussion is what to do with sides in outrounds (admittedly a little self-servingly because I've somehow debated in 9 semifinal or final rounds so far this year and have gotten to Negate exactly 0 times). Ari had an interesting idea about half-way down here http://forum.lddebate.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&.... What do you think? Any other possible fixes?

13 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - Sonia Vora, Nick Blanc... · 0 replies · +1 points

Congrats to Nick on the win and keeping the MI dominance of WA Round Robins alive. Also a big congrats to Connor Durkin on being really impressive when I watched him--VBT's gonna be a good tournament, I feel it. And to Sonia on being co-champ. Finally, thanks to Jeff and everyone else who helped run the tournament. It was really fun for the period I was there, and I'm sorry I couldn't attend.

13 years ago @ VBD: High School Debat... - VBD Weekend Coverage: ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Thanks, Jon. I texted complete results/a finalist photo to you, so we should be good to go.

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