Procrastination is not generally benefical

While the ode that my opponent made for himself is quite humorous and most likely in good spirit, I do find it a bit distasteful and fairly irrelevant to the debate. The reason he gives for writing such an ode is, so that his "passion over this issue" be made known. However, nowhere in the ode does it mention anything about procrastination, rather the whole thing is purely about himself and his self-proclaimed ability to debate. In refuting my arguments, my opponent makes a lot of assumptions as to what I was arguing which, in most of these cases, these assumptions are totally wrong. Maybe I didn't elaborate enough to make myself perfectly clear, so I will now try to do so. Opponent Argument 1: Breathing In the previous round, my opponent's argument was, and I quote: "1. Breathing is a task which must be accomplished.2. Avoiding the act of breathing is bad. 3. Therefore, in this way, procrastination is bad. This argument shows that procrastination is bad for something that we do constantly. I challenge my opponent to find something we do more than breathing which would be beneficial for us to procrastinate." In my rebuttal I showed how that reasoning is flawed. I showed how avoiding to breath is not always bad. In fact, in some cases it's beneficial, such as in the case of the Pranayama breathing method where holding ones breathe for an extended period of time is a crucial step. The equivalent reasoning of my opponent's argument being applied to carrots would look this, 1. Eating is a task which must be accomplished 2. Eating carrots can cause choking 3. Carrots, in this way, are bad This argument shows that carrots are bad for something that we do constantly. I challenge my opponent to find something we do more than eating which would be beneficial for us to use carrots. Sadly, It seems as though my opponent did not fully understand my argument; He makes a confusing assumption that my definition of "holding one's breath" is different than his definition, when in reality we both have the same simple definition: To hold one's breath means to hold one's breath. The Pranayama breathing method, that has many health benefits, really does require you to hold your breathe as one of the steps. Opponent Argument 2: Types of Procrastination My opponent claims that I miscatagorized his argument when I most definitely did not. He uses a quote from some guy who wrote an article that apparently defended procrastination, the quote saying: "Procrastination becomes a problem, however, when it’s not being used productively or when it becomes a mindless form of escape.” I however made myself clear that I disagree with this statement, but let me restate myself in order to be more clear. The type of procrastination that results in mindless escape, although in itself may not be productive, results in productivity (fresh and creative thinking, energy boost, extra focus, etc...) My opponent tries to define mindless escape by pulling the definition of mindless; having or showing no ability to think, feel, or respond[7] However, that makes it sound like the person is either in a coma or dead. A better definition would be escapism; The tendency to escape from daily reality or routine by indulging in daydreaming, fantasy, or entertainment.[8] My opponent also mentioned in his 2nd argument that, according to another guy who wrote an article, there are 6 types of procrastination and that apparently only 1 of them is beneficial. Then he goes on to claim that given this evidence, only 1/6th of the population benefits from procrastination. But the hole in his logic is he didn't specify what percentage of the population belongs to each type of procrastination. For all we know, the type of procrastination that is beneficial could take up 60% of the population and the other 5 types taking up the other 40%, making procrastination generally beneficial. Pro claims that avoidance of a task and rest have nothing to do with each other and that avoidance of a task is bad and rest is good, however, according to this definition of rest; to R03;cause someone or something to R03;stop doing an R03;activity in R03;order to get back R03;strength,[9] avoidance of a task and resting from a task are quite similar in nature. Opponent Argument 3: Just Do It Pro accuses me of "bark[ing] at the readers (rather offensively) with commands that they must follow" but I honestly have no idea where he got that from. Needless to say, he's the one writing in huge fonts and many exclamation marks that signify yelling. My opponent categorizes Shia LaBeouf's words as a warning when in reality they are not words of warning but words of encouragement and inspiration.[10] Words that, like I mentioned in my rebuttal, I fully support. But, before some "just does it," they should first procrastinate (avoid doing "it") long enough to know what it is they want to do and what the best way to accomplish that feat is. Pro also claims that Shia's words are directed toward people who procrastinate when nowhere does Shia say that. Rather it seems as those Shia's words are directed toward people who need that extra push to accomplish their dreams. Not procrastinators who are avoiding a necessary task that they will soon get to but rather toward those who don't quite have enough motivation to go out on a limb in life and accomplish something great. Pro also tells us a story about Goku who becomes a super powerful blonde due to Shia's motivational words. My opponent claims that if Goku had procrastinated she would never have accomplished her dreams. However, last time I checked, becoming a super powerful blonde is not "a task which needs to be accomplished"[11] therefore has nothing to do with procrastination. Same goes for the testimony of the One Piece fan who is reminded to chase their dreams. Remember, the definition that this debate is using to define procrastination is: the avoidance of doing a task which needs to be accomplished.[11] Opponent Argument 4: Time Doesn't Exist In an attempt to save our viewers the agony of us debating whether time exists or not (which for the record I'm pretty sure it does exist,) I refrained from going down that path and instead took an equally convincing path. My job in this debate is to prove that the resolution; Procrastination is not generally beneficial, is false. If time does not exist and procrastination does not exist, then procrastination can neither be beneficial or not beneficial. It just doesn't exist. Therefore, the resolution is false. Pro makes an argument using a non-existent candy bar as an example. However, if if a candy bar does not exist it can neither be sweet or unsweetened. It just isn't possible. Argument 1: Procrastination can benefit us in our everyday lives Pro claims that because other things can also give us, energy, a fresh mind, save us time, etc, then these benefits are no longer beneficial. But that's like saying there are other ways one can get potassium therefore bananas are not beneficial in providing potassium. Also, the "bad" drug that my opponent references is actually a drug that many doctors would prescribe for weight lose.[12] The only info that Pro gave us as to why it's bad is someone's opinion on Yahoo Answers. If we started listening to everyones opinion on the internet we would be in a very confused state. I would like to mention that my Arguments in this debate do not stand alone from each other. In fact, they build onto each other. Argument 1 does not necessarily single handedly prove that procrastination is generally beneficial, rather it sets the foundation for my next arguments. Also, Pro makes a confusing statement that seems as though he's joined my side: "This does not help us affirm the resolution quite as much as Con would like." Let me remind you that it is Pro's job to affirm the resolution. Argument 2: Procrastination is not only beneficial, but necessary Pro claims that the act of avoiding a task is a task inside itself. The definition of a task is: a piece of work to be done or undertaken.[13] I don't think avoiding a task fits that definition. My argument still stands. In order to complete a task well, to some extent you must procrastinate first; to some extent you must avoid doing a task long enough to know what task you needing to do and how to do it. Argument 3: Procrastinating is like eating carrots What my opponent mistakes for an appeal to popularity is actually an appeal to common knowledge. Carrots are healthy, is common knowledge.[14] Pro goes on to say that my argument is a bold assertion, yet fails to explain how.Argument 4: Whether we like it or not, we all are constantly procrastinating Pro only addressed part of my argument. My opponent failed to see how not having a life; having no schedule or agenda or responsibilities is a non-beneficial thing. But I challenge you to try and be productive without a schedule, agenda, or responsibilities. All my arguments stand. All my opponents arguments have holes in them. I eagerly await Pro to start us in our final round. Sources: [7] http://www.merriam-webster.com... [8] http://www.thefreedictionary.com... [9] http://dictionary.cambridge.org... [10] http://genius.com... [11] https://www.google.com... [12] http://www.extremesupplements.net... [13] https://www.google.com... [14] https://www.google.com...