Disagreeing with someone is not easy. Nor is it easy when someone disagrees with you. In fact, constructive disagreement could probably be classified as a serious skill, one that few of us truly possess.
IIM Lucknow came up with a unique idea of Online Debate – Treatise, that lets you get down and dirty in the brass tacks of intellectual challenge. The winner of the event, Aneesh Dubey shares his experience about the event-
“Any debater would be flabbergasted by the concept of an online- written debate, but having been a part of it I must congratulate the people who thought of such a novel concept; winning it only adds to the admiration I have for this format of debating.
A debate, hosted on Facebook was a surprise at first and an extremely enjoyable experience as round after round left the wall of the event ablaze with verbal petrol bombs.
The format was simple, contestants were given topics to debate, they submitted opening statements clarifying their stands, which went on the event page and then anyone was free to interject, the contestants then defended their arguments. The one who did it best – won.
But a debate, without voice modulation, and angry fists banging the desk sounds mundane – it wasn’t, on the contrary it tested the writing ability of the participants forcing them to incorporate all those characteristics of a debate into well written pieces - quite a treat for writers.
The topics were very relevant, ranging from the state of education in India to the imminent needs of the healthcare industry, not only did it provide immense learning but a very accurate measure of the state of affairs we face as a country.
I have no reservations when I say this that it might become one of the staple forms of debating soon.”
Aneesh Dubey[/b]
MBA 1st Year
DMS, IIT Delhi