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Jimmy Strobl

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Should political debates be held in a TED Conversation-like Way?

Should politicians debate their views on how things should be done in text on a well curated site (like TED) so that they can be held accountable for the errors they do?
This way they can also easily reference to facts in a much more constructive manner then just stating something in a political (oral) debate. And we would eliminate the slander since all slanderous comments would be removed.

If they are so sure about their opinions and their rhetoric it shouldn't be any problem...

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Topics: TED Conversations politics
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    Kate Blake 50+

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    Jul 25 2011: Might make them think a bit longer, research a bit deeper ... if they knew that media and critics would have easy access to their written debates. Particularly like the idea that their fluff and slander would be removed immediately ... with 'delete' left visible. Would keep them on topic!
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    Jimmy Strobl 30+

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    Jul 25 2011: Here's something that Chris Anderson shared on Twitter http://www.americanselect.org/
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    William Hardaway

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    Jul 20 2011: I think so, when you think about it if a politician is doing good practice he gets his information from experts (i.e. researchers). Research practices have basic principles which suggest that when data is presented you present limitations or biases. If politicians did more things like researchers then the voting population would grow to be more educated.

  • Travis Retzlaff

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    Jul 18 2011: I'll give you cred for that, we all know the current debates do nothing but make jobs for some writers who know how to spin a populist message.
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Jul 16 2011: My favourite debate of my entire life was the one held on TED concerning nuclear power. It was intelligent, informed, practical, focused and CIVIL. I could only hope and the world could only aspire to have political debates which were as fruitful and as worthy.
    Great question, Jimmy!

    PS. I have hoped and waited for TED to offer more such debates! Where are they TED? We need them!
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      Jimmy Strobl 30+

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      Jul 16 2011: Thanks Debra, what kind of debates would you like to see?
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        Debra Smith 200+

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        Jul 16 2011: I would love to see debates on the big issues like the virtues of capitalism vs. virtues of socialism.
        A debate on the truth about different methods of providing healthcare to the populations of countries would work to free a lot of people from propaganda that keeps them enslaved. I would also like to see a debate pro and con unions, pro and con war, pro and con the morality or justification of producing armaments that kill.
        I think it is time we considered the 'big thoughts' and the 'big issues' in a manner that added light and not just heat.
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          Jimmy Strobl 30+

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          Jul 16 2011: I hope that you don't find this rude in any way Debra...
          I think YOU should start those debates!

          Edit: Looking forward to seeing them the next time i search conversations by you! ^^
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        Debra Smith 200+

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        Jul 16 2011: No, I don't find it rude and i may start them on the TED conversations but that audience is very limited. I'd like to see them on the TED stage and then they would get the world experts and the world attention that they deserve. Who am I after all, even if I might moderate them well? I want to hear from those with unassailable credentials who would be compelled to behave civility and bring the facts for the world to consider. What do you think about that suggestion?
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          Jimmy Strobl 30+

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          Jul 16 2011: I'm not really sure if we should have debates on TED stages, Talks about these topics would be great though!

          "Who am I after all" - ... :'(

          YOU are special!
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        Debra Smith 200+

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        Jul 16 2011: Thanks Jimmy but I am curious to know why we should not have debates about these controversial topics. Are you worried that they would be too polarizing, that they could not be civil or for some other reason
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    Rafi Amin 20+

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    Jul 16 2011: Jimmy good question.

    but personaly I think it should not be allowed. This might cause us to see so much true & false statements that it might affect reliability of the web site & user which we now have alot.
    Regards.

  • Ted Clomperston

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    Jul 16 2011: News and fake news shows seem to make it a major part of their jobs to point out what a jerk or hypocrite some politician or other is constantly and that doesn't seem to make much difference. The problem is not so much that the foibles of politicians is not known, but getting enough people to know about it at the same time for a movement of 'caring about it' to arise. Who would read this "bloggy" "debate"?
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      Jimmy Strobl 30+

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      TED Translator
      Jul 16 2011: I was thinking that critics would read it and that they in turn report to the mass... Would that work?

  • Linda Soelystio

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    Jul 16 2011: Yes definitely.

  • Joseph Luk

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    Jul 16 2011: I think it is worth a try. My biggest fear is that it will be boring, so it's not really appealing to politicians. But that does not make it not worthwhile. Definitely a good idea.
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      Jimmy Strobl 30+

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      Jul 16 2011: Thanks Joseph,

      I think that politics already are boring in most people's eyes...
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 16 2011: OMG! Politics should be anything but boring but that is what it has been reduced to especially in debates when we cannot even endure the rhetoric and the fluff when we need real reliable information and truth from differing perspectives. Politics should be the equivalent of the rudder of a ship when the people get to steer.
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    Jimmy Strobl 30+

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    Jul 15 2011: So, why would this be a bad idea?
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