Debate has many benefits. Participating in debate competition does all the things you say. I would say that the biggest benefit is learning how to form a narra

Debate has many benefits. Participating in debate competition does all the things you say. I would say that the biggest benefit is learning how to form a narrative. As an observer, debate has not so many benefits in the real world. On the competitive debate stage, you have to follow some rules, in the real world, you win by exploiting people. I do not believe observing debate is effective for finding and deciding facts. I do not believe observing debate is effective for changing minds. The imposition of 'sides' reinforces many of the biases and fallacies that you're taught not to use; people regularly fight dirty in real life.