Commentary
With the announcement that there will be no more presidential debates before the November election, many people are left feeling disappointed. However, this disappointment does not stem from a desire for an informed and honest discussion of important issues facing the nation. It is rooted in the desire for a dramatic showdown, akin to a sporting event, where one candidate emerges victorious and the other defeated.
It is suggested that instead of focusing on these theatrical debates, individuals should turn their attention to watching sports. The issues at hand are too significant to be reduced to mere spectacle and manipulated narratives. The debates, as they are currently structured and managed by major networks, often devolve into viral moments rather than meaningful discussions.
These debates do little to inform voters about the candidates’ positions and abilities to govern effectively. Drawing from personal experience as a debate judge, it is noted that these debates often become a showcase of fallacies and rhetoric rather than thoughtful discourse.
While public speaking skills may be gained from participating in debates, the overall value of these experiences is questioned. It is argued that there are better ways to foster critical thinking and understanding of complex issues.
Personal aversion towards participating in debates is expressed, as the focus on conflict and entertainment detracts from any potential for genuine understanding and enlightenment. The recent presidential debates are criticized for their lack of substantive discussion and focus on spectacle.
It is emphasized that the current political culture in the United States needs to shift towards more serious and informative discourse. The hope for a more constructive debate format, as witnessed in a past event moderated by The Epoch Times, is highlighted as a potential model for meaningful political dialogue.
We are witnessing wars escalating globally, an enormous and unsustainable public debt, overwhelming pressures on the quality of life, a health emergency, increasing and concerning illiteracy rates, significant issues with corruption and regulatory capture, a growing lack of trust in not only those in power but also in the electoral process, and media outlets prioritizing clicks and survival over disseminating the truth to the public.
How do the current debates address any of these pressing issues? They don’t. They simply exploit our society’s decline for the sake of entertainment. It’s nothing more than a distraction. It may be in our best interest to put an end to this spectacle given the circumstances.
While it’s possible to envision a public platform for civilized and insightful discussions with intelligent moderation and genuine, unscripted responses, it seems unlikely to materialize. In that case, perhaps we are better off without it.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
