The New York Sophist

Tonight I am attending a debate set up by students and judged by students. I am planning to video it and post it. Public debate is one of the best things a debate club can do for their community. This St. John’s debate is hosted in cooperation with the NAACP. The best part? My invisibility in this event. Student initiated, student run, student debated, and student judged. Pedagogical satori? The teacher cannot be found for the teacher has been undermined.

So why do I do this?

What do you mean?

Well, If I don’t like debating or judging, what is it that I like?

Oh, you like teaching.

Yea, I do – but what am I teaching? If I hate judging, what am I teaching when I am judging?

You like teaching as opposed to judging. At least that’s what I think.

It’s sad to think of judging and teaching as opposites.

Yes, but it’s easy to think of them that way.

. . . . 

So why do I do this?

What do you mean?

Well, If I don’t like debating or judging, what is it that I like?

Oh, you like teaching.

Yea, I do – but what am I teaching? If I hate judging, what am I teaching when I am judging?

You like teaching as opposed to judging. At least that’s what I think.

It’s sad to think of judging and teaching as opposites.

Yes, but it’s easy to think of them that way.

. . . . 

So why do I do this?

What do you mean?

Well, If I don’t like debating or judging, what is it that I like?

Oh, you like teaching.

Yea, I do – but what am I teaching? If I hate judging, what am I teaching when I am judging?

You like teaching as opposed to judging. At least that’s what I think.

It’s sad to think of judging and teaching as opposites.

Yes, but it’s easy to think of them that way.

. . . . 

So why do I do this?

What do you mean?

Well, If I don’t like debating or judging, what is it that I like?

Oh, you like teaching.

Yea, I do – but what am I teaching? If I hate judging, what am I teaching when I am judging?

You like teaching as opposed to judging. At least that’s what I think.

It’s sad to think of judging and teaching as opposites.

Yes, but it’s easy to think of them that way.

. . . .