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Binary_Digit · 02-13-07, 07:47 PM

I can't help much with topic ideas, but I have a couple of other ideas that might be helpful:

1. Advertise the True Debates more. Maybe 2-3 weeks before the next one starts, send a PM to all DP members as a reminder. Some people only visit one or two forums, so they might not know enough about the True Debates to be interested. Make sure everyone knows that they don't have to pre-qualify or be selected in order to participate, anyone can sign up with a topic they'd like to debate, and they can win a cool avatar. Also, I would add a sticky in the Battlegrounds forum that describes what True Debates are, lists all the rules, and directs people on where and how to sign up.

2. Instead of limiting the entire debate to 1 week, let each debate go as long as necessary for both sides to complete the format. You can somewhat control how long the debate will last by placing limitations on the formats they can agree on, and requiring that posts be made within a certain amount of time since their opponent's last post. If they have up to 3 days to get together a decent argument, the debate may last up to 3 weeks instead of 1 depending on the format, but I think more people with less time to post will be able to participate then.

3. I think when more people become interested and are willing/able to participate, plenty of new topic suggestions will start pouring in. But I wouldn't be too turned off by topics that hit the typical party lines. IMO they're the best topics. People feel passionately about them and that's why they're partisan wedge issues.

02-13-07, 07:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Binary_Digit Professor Join Date: May 2005 Last Online: Today 11:25 AM Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,124 Thanks: 1,060 Thanked 292 Times in 176 Posts Lean: Libertarian Gender: Awards:	Re: Lack of Interest in True Debates I can't help much with topic ideas, but I have a couple of other ideas that might be helpful: 1. Advertise the True Debates more. Maybe 2-3 weeks before the next one starts, send a PM to all DP members as a reminder. Some people only visit one or two forums, so they might not know enough about the True Debates to be interested. Make sure everyone knows that they don't have to pre-qualify or be selected in order to participate, anyone can sign up with a topic they'd like to debate, and they can win a cool avatar. Also, I would add a sticky in the Battlegrounds forum that describes what True Debates are, lists all the rules, and directs people on where and how to sign up. 2. Instead of limiting the entire debate to 1 week, let each debate go as long as necessary for both sides to complete the format. You can somewhat control how long the debate will last by placing limitations on the formats they can agree on, and requiring that posts be made within a certain amount of time since their opponent's last post. If they have up to 3 days to get together a decent argument, the debate may last up to 3 weeks instead of 1 depending on the format, but I think more people with less time to post will be able to participate then. 3. I think when more people become interested and are willing/able to participate, plenty of new topic suggestions will start pouring in. But I wouldn't be too turned off by topics that hit the typical party lines. IMO they're the best topics. People feel passionately about them and that's why they're partisan wedge issues. __________________ "A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." - Edward Abbey "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." - Thomas Jefferson