Intelligence Squared US

5 Podcasts That Will Change the Way You Think

isus-admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:39:36 +0000

By Juliet Barbara – February 2, 2012 The Intelligence Squared Oxford style debates don’t just cover two competing sides of issues like education, the war on terror and religion. They’ll also train you in high-level debate. Highlights from last season … Continue reading →

A Letter From John Donvan

isus-admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:49:42 +0000

Dear Clea,

I’ve been reading a good amount of background in preparation for our upcoming debate – on obesity and government responsibilty – and I’m suspect this could be one of those debates where conventional wisdom gets shredded. Or at least, I am guessing that is what the side arguing AGAINST our motion is going to try to do. Conventional wisdom on obesity says:

a) it’s an epidemic; b) obese people have shorter lives; c) taxing soda will get people to drink less of it; d) that could result in less obesity.

If they succeed, it will be startling, but also exciting. I know, because I am reading into it, that there are strong arguments to support the conventional wisdom. And generally, the truth of each of these points has appeared, frankly, rather obvious. But I am also reading what seem like well-founded arguments against each of these points as well. Take a look at some of what I am reading, in the column at the right. I am sure questions will be raised about who is paying for this class of research.

But that will just become more grist for the argument. As I say, I suspect we’re in for a good one, whichever side wins – and that anyone who listens closely, will have to think twice, and will enjoy having done so, even if it means having to change one’s mind. Join the debate on Tuesday, February 7th, in person or via the live webcast.

Regards,
John Donvan, Moderator
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates

Is Obesity the Government’s Business?

isus-admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:05:03 +0000

By Katy Waldman – January 30, 2012
Doctors and public policy officials across the country have sounded the alarm about the obesity epidemic. Should the government intervene to stem the rising tide of obesity, or should the battle of the bulge be fought at home? Four medical and health care policy luminaries will tackle these questions at the next Slate/Intelligence Squared U.S. live debate on Feb. 7 at NYU’s Skirball Center in New York City.

Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates “Obesity Is the Government’s Business”

isus-admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:53:38 +0000

IQ2US Press Release – January 18, 2012
On February 7, Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) will take on one of America’s biggest problems when they host the debate: “Obesity Is the Government’s Business.” Obesity costs our health care system nearly $150 billion a year and is a major risk factor for expensive, chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Should the government intervene, or is this a matter of individual rights and personal responsibility?

Learning from Clinton’s Mideast Mistakes

isus-admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:06:47 +0000

By Seth Mandel – January 12, 2012
…But the question now is, what should be done instead? That was the topic of the debate, which was entitled: “The U.N. should admit Palestine as a full member state.” It pitted, for the motion, Palestinian legislator Mustafa Barghouthi and the New America Foundation and J Street’s Daniel Levy against Israeli diplomat Dore Gold and Miller. The whole debate is worth watching, which can be done at Intelligence Squared’s website.

It’s Time for the U.N. to Admit Palestine

isus-admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:37:56 +0000

By Katy Waldman – January 11, 2012
After an hour and a half of trying to soften an increasingly furious—and personal— debate over Palestinian membership in the United Nations on Tuesday, moderator John Donvan gave up and wearily asked his panelists for closing statements. Aaron David Miller started off. “I realize in the last 90 minutes that perhaps one of the most astute things I’ve done, the best decisions I’ve made, was to leave the Arab-Israeli negotiating table,” he quipped. The audience laughed. Onstage, the rest of the panelists looked pained.

Palestine, 194th Member?

isus-admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000

By Marc Tracy – January 11, 2012
At last night’s Intelligence Squared U.S. debate held at NYU’s Skirball Center, the motion was: “The U.N. Should Admit Palestine as a Full Member State.” The Oxford style of the contest—one side defends the platform, the other side opposes it, and they are judged purely on their respective success at doing what they are supposed to do, not what is “right” or how the motion fits into a larger context—made for an evening that at once obscured the larger difficulties of the Middle East conflict and highlighted that conflict’s intractability.

Whitewashing Hamas Is a Mistake

isus-admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:11:14 +0000

By Ed Husain – January 11, 2012 Last night, I attended an Intelligence Squared Debate in New York. As expected, the debate was spirited and lively. How could it not be? The motion was “The UN Should Admit Palestine as … Continue reading →

The U.N. Should Admit Palestine as a Full Member State

isus-admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:29:27 +0000

IQ2US Press Release – January 11, 2012
Last night, Intelligence Squared U.S. launched it’s spring 2012 season with a sold-out debate and a decisive victory for the motion, “The U.N. Should Admit Palestine as a Full Member State.” The debate was especially heated and, according to the final votes, Mustafa Barghouthi and Daniel Levy won by convincing 18% of the audience to change their minds to support the resolution, thus winning the Oxford style debate.

Should the U.N. Admit Palestine as a Full Member State?

isus-admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:44:24 +0000

By Katy Waldman – January 3, 2012 Israel’s occupation of land in the West Bank and Gaza, the status of Jerusalem, and the rights of Arab refugees have roiled the Middle East for almost half a century. Four longtime engineers … Continue reading →