April 15, 2022
A shy, conflict-averse student finds his voice in debate. Seo, who was born in Korea and moved with his family to Australia when he was 8, makes an engaging book debut with a combination memoir and debating guide. A two-time world champion debater, the author has also coached two winning teams: the Australian Schools Debating Team and the Harvard College Debating Union. Drawing on his experiences, he offers his book as a tool kit for having productive arguments. "We should disagree," he believes, "in such a way that the outcome of having the disagreement is better than not having it at all." Seo presents his key components of competitive debate: identifying the topic, mounting an argument, fashioning a rebuttal, and using rhetoric and silence to underscore one's points. In addition, he looks at ways that debate principles apply to real-life situations: relationships with family and friends, bad disagreements, education, and technology. Some topics that Seo debated in classes and competitions have included the moral justification of ecotage, the media's right to intrude into the private lives of public figures, and the admission of Turkey into the European Union. Analyzing the debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump led him to consider the debate styles of bullies: the dodger, the twister, the wrangler, the liar, and the brawler. He realized that a debate, "hijacked" by a bully and difficult to deflect, "could be a harmful force in the world." As a journalist in Sydney, Seo covered the encounter between a champion debater and Project Debater, an artificial intelligence system with "a superhuman ability to marshal evidence." Evidence, he saw, was not the only factor in convincing an audience. The author advocates teaching debate principles as part of a well-founded civic education: "Good arguments generate new ideas and strengthen relationships. An education in debate makes people more immune to the slick manipulations of political opportunists." A useful reflection on how to disagree, especially important in toxic times.
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April 18, 2022
In this enlightening introduction to the style, function, and variety of formal debate, Seo, a former coach of the Australian Schools and Harvard College debate teams, contends that the manner in which humans typically disagree is “painful and useless.” Drawing on vivid historical vignettes, philosophy, and his own experiences on and off the debate circuit, Seo demonstrates effective methods for “achieving clarity” (“Start with the conclusion of your argument, and say the minimum amount required to prove it”) and calls out common techniques used to derail and undermine debate, such as the straw man argument, which distorts or misrepresents the original speaker’s position. Highlighting the ubiquity of disagreements over who should do the dishes, which government policies deserve support, and other personal and public matters, Seo asserts that debate is not something to be avoided, but that people must “save our energy for the right kind of disagreement” in order to “set ourselves up for a better conversation.” Full of intriguing historical snapshots and practical advice, this is an inspiring study of how good-faith arguments can bring people together rather than tear them apart.
May 15, 2022
Two-time world champion debater Seo, former coach of the Australian and Harvard debate teams, mines his life experiences to explore the ins and outs of competitive debating. Seo and his family migrated from South Korea to Australia when he was eight years old. Growing up, the author developed a deep fascination with debate and rhetoric both in school and at home. Divided into two sections, the book first focuses on five fundamental areas of competitive debate: topic, argument, rebuttal, rhetoric, and silence. The second part connects the lessons of competitive debate to four major areas of life: disagreements, relationships, education, and technology. During polarizing times, good arguments offer opportunities to enrich our lives for the better, Seo shows. Lucidly recounting anecdotes and observations from his live debate sessions, Seo takes readers on a refreshing and inspiring journey. Delving into topics of communication, rhetoric, debate, and critical thinking, this illuminating book examines the fascinating world of competitive debate and offers much food for thought.
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