>> It is to improve your critical thinking and to recognize various techniques used against you in everyday life. This is right on the money. That's why it's a

>> It is to improve your critical thinking and to recognize various techniques used against you in everyday life. This is right on the money. That's why it's a shame to short-circuit any debate by conflating the person taking a side with the side they're taking. Come to think of it, that's also a great reason why it's good to force debaters to take both sides... because neither can be held liable as it's not "their" opinion, and they're free to use their minds without fear of being judged.