Whenever possible, I try to debate on the side that I /don't/ believe to be true. I find that debating 'my side' of the argument is harder since I take my poin

Whenever possible, I try to debate on the side that I /don't/ believe to be true. I find that debating 'my side' of the argument is harder since I take my points as self evident and don't back them up as well. Debating the other side means that you have to consider the argument on an intellectual level, not an emotional one. I think keeping yourself intellectually honest by forcing yourself to carefully examine the arguments that you don't personally believe is great for scientists. It's also handy, because the other team tends to bring up points you're very familiar with as their arguments.