(March 21, 2016 at 2:20 am)robvalue Wrote:(March 20, 2016 at 6:33 pm)Alex K Wrote: The Nye-Ham debate might have exposed some kids there for the first time to a straight representation of how evolution works and what it is.
To me, this is the benefit of debates. The audience at home can think about what's being said, learn some things, and maybe be brought round to a more rational way of thinking. This is the intended target.
If you remove that audience, for example in a private debate with an entrenched theist, there is probably no point at all.
I'll give you that but it doesn't get at what I dislike about debate. Too often it seems an exercise in sophistry where blowing smoke is esteemed as highly as useful analysis so long as it plays to the crowd. Just give me an honest conversation any day.
