Competition

A DEBATE  can be a heated argument, or a highly organized, sometimes boring exchange of differing opinion, for the purpose of being scored by judges, systematically, to determine a winner.

Either way, determining the winner of a debate is somewhat subjective at best, impossible at worst. Determining the winner of a presidential debate is entirely subjective. Many people vote, the vote is usually closely split, and the debate commences over who won the debate.

Often the better looking dude, the smoother dude, is perceived to be the winner. When I was in seventh grade, I was in a social studies debate against a popular, smart kid, and when we were finished, the class voted. I won. Just to make sure, the teacher had the class vote again, and I lost.

So died my belief in subjectively measured forms of competition.

In high school our marching band entered a competition involving many high school bands, and winners and losers were announced. I thought "what's the point"? Give me a good football game, with a scoreboard and objective rules.

Felix Mendelsohn, a world class piano player, disdained piano playing competition. He said "competition is for racehorses."

We line up six year old girls or twenty year old girls on a stage, let them sing, speak, wear swimsuits and evening gowns, and announce which of them has won the contest.

Tell me that the americans are not going to elect a president based on the "results" of  debates.