I stumbled upon a show on WCBU this afternoon called Intelligence Squared. It’s an Oxford-style debate of controversial issues. That is, they put forth a proposition, then have two or three people argue for it and two or three people argue against it. The debate today was on legalizing the market for human organs. Other recent topics include, “Should the U.S. be the world’s policeman?” “Should we accept steroid use in sports?” and “Is it time to end affirmative action?”
No shouting, no interrupting, no ridiculously short time to answer complex questions. The debate is an hour and a half in front of a live audience (the radio show is an abridged version lasting 50 minutes). They poll the audience before and after the debate to see which side was more persuasive.
I realize I’m unbelievably boring, but I absolutely love this show. It’s so interesting to hear these serious issues debated competently and persuasively by both sides in a civil manner.
Hrmph! How typical of someone of YOUR political party to like THIS show.
I listen to one that’s somewhat similar, called “In Our Time” by the BBC — the host has on usually 3 scholars on a particular topic (The Arabian Nights, Fibonnaci’s theorem, the Nicene Creed, the Norman Yoke, etc.) and they spend about an hour discussing the ins and outs of it. It’s more academically-oriented than current-debate oriented, but the same idea of thorough treatment from multiple viewpoints. I absolutely can’t get enough of it! Currently I listen to it while housecleaning and when my hour’s up, I always want to keep cleaning so I can listen to another one. 😀