The hottest Debates Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Offend

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3246 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Speeches Writing Debates Public Speaking
  1. Christopher Hitchens was known for his formidable skills as a public speaker and debater, with some believing he spoke better than he wrote.
  2. Hitch's reputation as a speaker was so esteemed that one should never speak before, with, or after him, according to advice given to Douglas Murray.
  3. Even before achieving peak celebrity status, Hitchens was recognized for his speaking prowess, particularly evident in his renowned book 'God Is Not Great.'

Should the U.S. Shut Its Borders? Join Us for Our Next Live Debate

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1827 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debates Presidential candidates Civil Liberties
  1. Traditional presidential debates may not happen, and even if they do, they often lack substantial discussion on important issues.
  2. The America Debates initiative by The Free Press aims to host live debates across the country on contentious topics like closing America's borders.
  3. Exclusive presale tickets for The America Debates are available to paid subscribers before opening to the general public.

Post-Apocalypse America

Unsafe • 2260 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Candidates Debates Campaigning
  1. DeSantis struggled due to various factors like his 20-point victory in 2022 affecting his decision-making.
  2. The withdrawal speech was analyzed, including the phrases used, like "No more pale pastels. We need bold colors."
  3. Nikki Haley's behavior and controversies in the political landscape were highlighted, showing how she handles criticism and her approach in debates.

Surviving Biden's Brain Freezes

OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter • 1454 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Strategy Political Messaging Debates Justice Department
  1. No Excuses: Biden should avoid making excuses for his mistakes and instead focus on moving forward.
  2. The Old Shoe Strategy: Embrace Biden's imperfections and increase public appearances to show his resilience.
  3. The Nikki-Nancy Defense: Biden should address concerns about his brain freezes confidently by pointing out others' mistakes and highlighting his own emotional responses.
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NOTES FROM THE TRAIL

TRANSFORM with Marianne Williamson • 4068 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Debates
  1. President Biden's re-election campaign announcement raised concerns due to his policies and actions.
  2. The author stands for fundamental economic reform and believes in giving a voice to all candidates in the primary.
  3. The author is committed to advocating for progressive policies like universal healthcare, cancelling college loan debt, and a livable wage.

The limits of heterodoxy - my review of the Battle of Ideas

The Path Not Taken • 462 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideas Debates Freedom of Speech Liberalism Authoritarianism
  1. The Battle of Ideas festival had some limitations in representing a diverse range of viewpoints.
  2. There is a tension within the heterodox movement between promoting freedom of speech and the values of its supporters.
  3. The heterodox movement plays a crucial role in providing spaces for those marginalized by mainstream perspectives.

When (and how) do we debate vaccine science?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1224 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Debates Misinformation Empathy Communication
  1. Debating vaccine science can create false equivalence and be time-consuming and dangerous.
  2. Live debates can prioritize charm over data and lead to logical fallacies and dead-end discussions.
  3. Some debates are worthwhile when participants are open to changing their minds and when the subject matter is not politically or religiously polarized.

Why it's silly to debate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Joe Rogan about vaccines

georgelakoff • 1139 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debates Vaccines Media Science
  1. Don't engage in debates with individuals lacking credibility or spreading misinformation to avoid giving them legitimacy and amplifying false ideas.
  2. Choosing not to participate in a debate can be a strategic decision to avoid being drawn into a futile discussion that may not change minds.
  3. When confronted with falsehoods, focus on promoting accurate information and engaging in meaningful conversations rather than getting caught up in unproductive debates.

Free speech under attack: the weaponization of defamation law

Unreported Truths • 28 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Climate change Legal system Debates
  1. Defamation cases in the United States are challenging to win due to strong protections for free speech, including the absolute defense of truth, the requirement of 'actual malice' for public figures, and the exclusion of defamatory opinions.
  2. Anti-SLAPP laws have made defamation suits even harder by encouraging quick dismissal of cases, potentially forcing plaintiffs to cover legal fees, and providing additional defense for defendants.
  3. The story of a defamation lawsuit involving climate scientist Michael Mann and the challenges faced due to the comparison to the Sandusky scandal highlights the complexities and implications of free speech limitations in defamation cases.

Scientists shouldn't debate gaslighters

Science Forever • 557 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🔬 Science Debates Rhetoric
  1. Gaslighters should not be debated by scientists as it can give them undeserved credibility and make the scientists look like nitpicking nerds.
  2. Debating gaslighters can lead to a situation where the huckster's misinformation is seen as equal to well-established scientific principles.
  3. It's crucial for the scientific community to find skilled communicators who can effectively counter the rhetoric of gaslighters like RFK Jr.

Will 2024 Be Rigged?

OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter • 412 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Presidential Campaign Debates AI
  1. The 2024 election's fate involves legal vs illegal rigging, with the former almost certain and the latter less likely but still a concern.
  2. The Republican nomination race for 2024 may heavily favor Trump due to his strategic advantages in party rules and potential court cases lingering.
  3. Positive signs for democracy in 2022 elections, but challenges remain, including concerns about AI spreading misinformation and potential for political violence in 2024.

Crowded, Diverse Republican Presidential Field Expands

The Newsguy -- Steve Herman • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Candidates Debates Policies Political Dynamics
  1. More than a dozen Republican candidates are gearing up to challenge President Biden in the upcoming election.
  2. Former President Trump remains a prominent figure in the Republican field despite facing legal challenges.
  3. The Republican primary race is diverse, with candidates like Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, and Francis Suarez entering the fray.

Nigeria: A Secular State?

libraryofthought • 0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Secularism Religion Constitution Debates
  1. Nigeria has a complex history of religious influences, with events like the Fulani Jihād and Church missions carving out geographical and religious frontiers.
  2. The secular status of Nigeria has evolved over time, with the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions playing significant roles in defining the relationship between religion and the state.
  3. Opinions on Nigeria's secular status vary, with some highlighting the multi-religious nature of the country and pointing out the complexities of defining Nigeria as strictly secular.

Thumb War 2024: Debates

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debates Election GOP Candidates Trump
  1. Debates in US presidential politics may not significantly sway voter opinions due to increased partisanship and candidates spewing focus-grouped lines.
  2. Primary debates can be valuable for low-information voters to get a sense of candidates, especially unknown ones.
  3. Candidates in the GOP primary need to directly challenge Trump to stand out, as his base remains loyal even amidst controversies.