BeIR/webis-touche2020 huggingface dataset:
One Personal Finance Credit Should Be Required In High School

The majority of your argument rests upon the fact that our economy is suffering because people are foreclosing on their mortgages which is true. However you cannot prove that requiring a Personal Finance class in high school would change this situation. As you have mentioned, unforseen financial difficulties are a factor in determining one's ability to pay up. So not knowing how to properly balance a check book is not the only or even the main reason why people are unable to honor their mortgage rates. An increase in gas prices, for example, or higher taxation... things that people have little to no control over in the economy... are all reasons why Americans are becoming less wealthy and have less money to spend. In addition, there are many classes in high school that we are required to take but do not apply in our daily lives, such as Calculus. You cannot prove that people would take this class seriously, learn from it, or even use its teachings to help themselves. For instance if a college kid wishes to spend every last nickel he has on booze, so be it. I highly doubt a class telling him not to do so would deter him, as we already have mandatory classes (health) and programs like D.A.R.E. that do little to nothing to prevent people from acting a certain way or engaging in risky behavior. Plus, classes like Spanish or other foreign languages are required in high school... that doesn't mean that people retain its teachings many years later, when people are usually older and in a position to buy a house and make a lot of money anyway. People wouldn't necesarilly retain anything. My point is that there is no proof this class would actually work or even have an impact, and if it would, so be it... but don't make it MANDATORY. Doing so might interrupt current school systems or high school curriculums. And we already have classes (most of which are mandatory) that can teach you similar ideas about the economy so that people can make judgments about their own situations and make their own decisions, such as Micro and Macro Economics, and also educate people about the economy of the US as a whole and not just pertain to each individual person. We are all different and come from different financial backgrounds... how can a class incorporate aqequate diversity (while still functioning correctly) to attend to each students unique situation where different strategies may be necessary? And on a final note, our country has been in economic crisis in the past, and somehow we have always found a way to overcome it WITHOUT mandating this type of class. Thank you.
One Personal Finance Credit Should Be Required In High School

There are many problems in modern America, but I feel a substantial one is the lack of personal fiscal responsibility. To put it simply, many people leave high school and enter the "real world" with no idea how to manage, save, and spend money. To support this claim, I point to the recent downturn in the American economy. A substantial portion of the problem has been attributed to home foreclosures. And why are homes being foreclosed upon? For one of four reasons. 1) The bank loaned money to a person or persons it shouldn't have, someone with bad credit or an unsound financial base. 2) Similar to, but not the same as, the first: people took out loans that they could not afford, or agreed to loan or mortgage terms that can charitably be called risky. 3) Those paying a loan or mortgage practiced irresponsible fiscal management and became unable to make their payments. 4) Those paying a loan or mortgage encountered unforeseen financial difficulties. While almost nothing can be done about the fourth cause, the first three could be substantially reduced if only the participants in the venture had a more solid understanding of just how far one can stretch the boundaries of fiscal responsibility. A personal finance class is thus the beginning of a credible solution. People would learn how to budget, to make payments, and avoid risky investments. Furthermore, 70% of the United States' economy is generated and driven by retail sales (statistic from NPR, National Morning News, 3/14/08). When consumers have more buying power (i.e. more money to spend), it provides a solid foundation for the majority of the economy. Therefore, a personal finance class absolutely should be required in high school. Not only would it improve the quality of life for the people who would have to take it (less Ramen, maybe?), but I have also shown that it would help boost the lagging American economy. This would be incalculably beneficial to the American people as a whole.
creationism is unjustifiable

Thanks for the debate. In fairness, I would ask the opponent to only address what I have said here; however, he may conclude on a larger point. Several points made by the opponent belong in a theological debate about biblical interpretation, not in this debate; therefore, I will address three points within his argument: creation follows science, evolution is our "best guess," and God formed the universe rather than chance. Each point makes grave mistakes and improper characterizations. Creation Follows Science The opponent says, "Finally, here comes man." Does the Bible suggest that man is an ape? No! No interpretation of the Bible could successfully suggest that it does. Science suggests that man is an ape. The only reason one can interpret the Bible with a scientific framework is if he/she has a previous scientific education. Exclusively reading the Bible would not lead anyone to scientific conclusions. Creationism, therefore, cannot create any new knowledge within a scientific framework. Because it cannot do this, it is an untenable belief, which poses as science (i.e. "creation science"). Evolution is Our Best Guess Although the opponent claims to believe in evolution, he seems to misunderstand it. He says that "Human Evolution is still at its very core theoretical. It is our best guess based on the evidence provided." This is more of a hypothesis, not a theory. I covered this in my first argument (see source 5). He makes the same mistake all creationists do. He should not have even brought evolution up because he should be able to prove his proposition on its own merits, not the perceived failing of another. God Formed the Universe Rather than Chance This is probably one of the most important points that needs to be addressed. Creationists seem to believe and suggest that either God created the universe or chance created it. This is false. Chance has no agency; it cannot form or control anything. For instance, imagine that you drop a ball on a grid on the ground. There are 100 squares on this grid. It lands on the 99th square on your bottom left. What caused it to do that? The forces that affect the ball such as gravity and the characteristics of the landscape the grid is on such as the slope of the surface. The question arises how did these forces along with the universe come to be; however, this was not part of the debate. I am questioning creationism's merits, not how the universe came to be. The last point above demonstrated how creationism misinterprets and obfuscates science and scientific positions. The opponent should have addressed creationism's merits and situated them within a viable and logical set of criteria. What makes creationism unique and what can it do for us? Evolutionary theory, for instance, has provided scientists with the ability to treat illnesses among many other things.
Anime is Not a Cartoon

I thank you for accepting. Now to start things off, I would like to start with the terms: Anime - a Japanese style of motion-picture animation, characterized by highly stylized, colorful art, futuristic settings, violence, and sexuality. (http://dictionary.reference.com...) Cartoon - a sketch or drawing, usually humorous, as in a newspaper or periodical, symbolizing, satirizing, or caricaturing some action, subject, or person of popular interest. (http://dictionary.reference.com...) Anime is an animation that is both hand-drawn and computer-animated. It is used in television series, films, video games, commercials, and Internet-based releases, and represents most, if not all, genres of fiction. It has many different visual styles, but the common form includes "exaggerated physical features such as large eyes, big hair and elongated limbs... and dramatically shaped speech bubbles, speed lines and onomatopoeic, exclamatory typography." The creation of characters in anime is made so that the proportion of the body resembles the proportions of the human body. The eyes are usually slightly bigger than the rest of the body to help show emotions. However, in some anime, the eyes are in proportion to the rest of the body. The facial expressions are used to denote moods and thoughts. They include a fixed iconography that's used as shorthand for certain emotions and moods. A wide variety of stories have been adapted into anime. They are sourced from Japanese history, classical literature, and even adult-oriented themes. While animation for children exists, most of anime have more adult oriented themes. (http://en.wikipedia.org...) A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. Modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works. Because of the stylistic similarities between comic strips and early animated movies, "cartoon" came to refer to animation, and the word "cartoon" is currently used to refer to both animated cartoons and gag cartoons. While "animation" designates any style of illustrated images seen in rapid succession to give the impression of movement, the word "cartoon" is most often used in reference to TV programs and short films for children featuring anthropomorphized animals, superheroes, the adventures of child protagonists and related genres. (http://en.wikipedia.org...) Now onto you SquadSix. Good Luck!
Media/Technology Use in the Setting of a Classroom

Unlike my other arguments, my round 4 statements will be brief and straight to the point. On the usage of stem programs:Due to the fact that the pro truly didn't clarify how these programs are helpful there is nothing to debate on this topic on getting Access to information: as i have stated earlier technology can be useful for research but can also be a distraction to many students. So on this topic i believe that it would be better to research from home. Increase the popularity of distance learning: technology can be helpful for students to apply for colleges and scholarships but there would be no time during school for students to do these task(unless a new class was made). This would be a task best meant for home where there is much more time. Lastly i would like to say that although using technology in school would be a much more enjoyable for students, the amount of students that would be off task would outweigh the amount of students that would benefit. With this i will bring my final argument to an end, thanking the pro for a good debate.
Media/Technology Use in the Setting of a Classroom

Touch" My opponent. I would like to say thank you for debating with me on this topic, it was truly fun. Enough with the childish games though.. Media should be allowed in the classroom for many reasons. "The increase in worldwide computer usage and the need for computer skills in today's workforce have pushed the US government to create guidelines, such as the Core Curriculum Content Standards, to ensure that students are prepared to meet the demands of the twenty first century. Maintaining a citizenry that is well versed in the STEM fields is a key element of the United States' public-education agenda. Through the implementation and integration of Web 2.0 computer technologies into the classroom setting, students are able to have new authentic and meaningful learning experiences. Another advantage of using technology in the classroom is its flexibility and adaptability to differentiated learning." www.boundless.com (STEM fields, or STEM education, is an acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.) Access to information Technology gives a huge access to more information than a normal textbook. It gives students ore opportunities to learn more about one subject, more than the average outdated textbook. Help in protecting the environment The use of technology in classroom also cuts down in paper consumption, and helps save the environment. Paper and pencils will no longer needed due to a screen and keys to type. Increase the popularity of distance learning Students who also do not have the opportunity to go to college, or not able to commute to it, can easily access technology to learn. This can also happen in rural countries as well, to the less unfortunate. And lastly, Technology makes education enjoyable. Students seem to enjoy technology more in learning due to faster/slower learning. Technology and learning can also go outside the classroom setting. Thankyou, TBSomthers.
Media/Technology Use in the Setting of a Classroom

I would like to clarify my statement in which the Pro stated that i have become the pro. In this statement(which you can find in my round 2 argument) i said that technology will be useful in the future but that is not what this argument is about. This argument is about technology in schools.I believe that students won't need to learn how to use technology at school because they have or will learn at home because many students already own electronic devices. The Pro also asked the following " If you find technology pointless in the classroom setting, then why are you using it right now?" which is completely irrelevant because i'm not in a classroom setting while doing this. Also this debate is not some type of school project. THe answer to her follow up question would be yes i have used technology for school but it typically wasnt at school, which meant it was not disrupting my learning time. I would like to take this time to point out that in the studies that The Pro used many of the results could not truly be examined. for example in the first study she used she stated that Students "believed" that technology helps and i don't think i need to say this but things don't become true just because you believe in them.(millions of kids around the world believe in santa claus but..well you get the point). In another one of her surveys she stated that 16 out of 18 kids remembered animal facts "better"(remember this word) by using powerpoints But she never says what it was better than. for all we know the original teaching method could've been a teacher saying facts once then handing out a test.(we don't know).Also i would like to say that anytime you do something by yourself you are bound to remember it better, whether it was writing facts on a powerpoint or a piece of paper.(most of you know this from experience). Last i would like to conclude my round 3 argument by countering or rather going farther into detail about one more argument made by the Pro. This was the argument that students feel more relaxed while being able to do task using technology. This is a situation that i can put myself into i because if i had an opportunity to play games and goof off while i was suppose to be doing an assignment i would take (and i don' know about anyone else but i am quite relaxed while playing games). So from a teacher's view point or anyone else who has been observing these students behavior with technology it would appear that they are very relaxed and more lively too. Before the Pro attempts to use this as a counter i would like to say it right now so i won't have to in my next argument. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to block every game/fun activity on the internet.
Media/Technology Use in the Setting of a Classroom

In the previous round, it has come to my attention that my opponent has agreed with one of my claims, as stated "This is a statement that i can bring myself to agree with because as time goes on many career paths will begin to integrate with technology." Just to point out, the con has become the pro in the debate... (Maybe) Now that that discussion is over, I have more to confirm to my opponent. I ask you, my con, If you find technology pointless in the classroom setting, then why are you using it right now? I mean you would have had to use it sometime in college, maybe even high school, right? "Improved Retention Rate: Student perceptions in the study believe that technology helps them retain information better. According to different a study, these students may be on to something. Eighteen 2nd grade students were challenged to complete a Power Point project about an animal. Sixteen out of the 18 students remembered more facts about the animal after completing the presentation. These results show that technology indeed helps students remember what they learn." Whole paragraph found on www.teachhub.com/benefits-technology-classroom I will finish the Third round with also saying how technology in the classroom can boost self esteem and motivation to work in the class. By letting students sit in a comfort zone, they will feel more relaxed and up to do the given task.
Media/Technology Use in the Setting of a Classroom

I still stand by my argument that technology will prove to be more of a nuisance than it will be helpful. When the Pro stated " ...enable safety mode and firewalls to computers/laptops/ipads/etc so kids only do what they are asked to do." i was quite curious as to whether She truly believed that putting safety modes on computers could even be considered a solution for the distractions that come with technology. I feel this way because there are so many things that can serve as distractions, therefore it would be impossible to block everything out. So to wrap up this rebuttal i would like you to read the following statement that the pro wrote earlier."they can be fixed and never happen if one takes PROPER precautions.( when i read this i noticed the word that she emphasized which was "proper"). This means that without "proper precautions" technology can be more distracting than it is helpful. Since most school districts don't take proper precautions( i would think its because it would take too much time) technology would not be effective. Now i will be addressing the next argument that the Pro decided to use which was " By using technology in a classroom setting, one is subjecting the youth to life skills they will need to pick up for adulthood."this is a statement that I can bring myself to agree with because as time goes on many career paths will begin to integrate with technology. Although it may seem as if i have gone against my viewpoint, i haven't. I believe that preparing for the future use of technology in school would be pointless because of the blocks placed on the computers and if you were to take these blocks off a large number of students would become distracted. I can see why you believe that technology can be good for resources which it is, but if kids only get resources from the internet all the time while growing up they will not know how to get information from anywhere else because of their dependency on technology.(unless they were to google it.) with this final rebuttal i will conclude my arguments for round 2.
Media/Technology Use in the Setting of a Classroom

A distraction you say? Is not why one can enable safety mode and firewalls to computers/laptops/ipads/etc so kids only do what they are asked to do? Distractions, yes can occur, but know that they can be fixed and never happen if one takes PROPER precautions. And now, Fellow Debatees, I ask you all, Who here uses technology? Now I ask, who here wishes technology was available when they were in School? Although my opponent states, "We should not use technology based upon popularity", How does this prepares us for adulthood? How does this prepare us for a future filled with technology? By using technology in a classroom setting, one is subjecting the youth to life skills they will need to pick up for adulthood. Using technology in a classroom setting can enable great opportunities for the adolescence. For an example, technology use can open the doors to countless resources which enhance the education of the young ones, making learning more fun and EFFECTIVE.
Media/Technology Use in the Setting of a Classroom

Although technology has many useful features it serves more as a petty distraction in a school environment. SInce the pro is arguing her statement that "Media and Technology use in the setting of a classroom should be more accessible " It is expected of her to use viable facts and sources to thoroughly support any evidence that she wishes to use. I will conclude my opening argument by saying that we are not inno need to use something simply due to its popularity because it is not always the best choice.
Illuminati

My opponent has forfeited this round. I doubt he will respond to my text. However, in the case that he does, I will introduce what I believe to be reasons the Illuminati, also known as the Bavarian Illuminati, exists or has existed.Presentations1) The historical existence of the Bavarian Illuminati has been discovered through investigation."According to available documents, the Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria (commonly known as the Bavarian Illuminati) were founded by Adam Weishaupt (Spartacus) on May 1, 1776, based on his early training from Jesuit priests."[1]"On the first of May, 1776, Weishaupt founded a secret Order of Illuminati (built on the base of a secret student society) consisting of 5 members who were devoted to promoting equality & rationality, primarily through study."[2]The historical existence of the Bavarian Illuminati has been long factually accepted, and therefore serves no purpose to be argued against.Sources[1] http://www.bavarianilluminati.com...[2] http://www.benbest.com...
Roleplay makes me sick.

I don't believe I stated that roleplaying was not for the fun experience because I believe the foundation or initial motivation for roleplaying is to have the fun, out-of-reality experience in the first place. I understand what you mean by online dating now because you were talking about RPGs, which I didn't initially catch onto. Even though you have proved that there is online dating, this does not prove that their activity is meant to reflect on their personal lives; the point of roleplaying is acting as someone you aren't which may give shyer people the confidence to do things they may not have the courage to do in real life such as date, even if they don't know the person in real life. To conclude, you may see roleplaying as pretending and something like a waste of time, but I disagree. This may seem depressing and unbelievable to you, but people who feel as though they don't have the ability or the confidence to achieve great things such as the celebrity, Taylor Swift find comfort in knowing that they can, at least for a while, escape from the disappointing reality they believe that they live in order to put themselves in the shoes as someone as famous as her whilst being aware that it's something they probably cannot or don't want to actually be in their real life. People do it because they want to interact with others as someone different than who they are in order to have new experiences and escape from reality for a while. Others might go on vacations or exercise to "get away" from their problems, but roleplayers prefer to act like someone they're not for a while. It's quite refreshing to some. Thank you for debating me. (: