I appreciate all of the advice and the pertinent clips illustrating the effectiveness of these debate strategies. Perhaps somewhat helpful. But no one can debate like Mehdi.
Thank you for sharing these lessons, very valuable!
I wanted to ask about your choice of words in this video. You referred to “some of those freaks and loons” from the Jubilee debate. I understand the debate featured people with extreme views — some even openly embracing fascism — but I’m curious why you chose personal labels over describing the specific ideas or behaviours.
Given your aim to win over undecided audiences, do you think those words risk painting the entire group with the same brush or making it easier for opponents to dismiss you as engaging in the same kind of name-calling you warn against?
I’m genuinely interested in your thinking here, especially on the balance between righteous outrage and strategic persuasion.
He's quoting people who asked about his approach ... thus the pause between "those" and "freaks and loons".
And the "neutral" people that he's trying to reach and persuade don't identify as "freaks and loons" so why would they feel like they are being painted with the same brush? Some of the people he debated were openly self-acknowledging racists and fascists ... Medhi explicitly is not trying to reach such people or change their minds. Part of the exercise here is to demonstrate to "neutrals" that Medhi's opposition are bad people ... bad not just in his mind but bad in the minds of the "neutrals" he's trying to sway.
"personal labels over describing the specific ideas or behaviours"
It's not either/or ...he said plenty about specific ideas and behaviors ...
"""
My ‘Surrounded’ debate last month was almost two hours in length, and featured me facing off against 20 different ‘far right conservatives.’ While many of my opponents weren’t interested in a good-faith debate or discussion, and opted instead for personal abuse and ad hominem attacks, I happened to have prepared for that encounter, and so I made sure I got my points across.
Many of you have been asking me over the past few weeks not just how I prepared for this very bizarre, almost surreal, clash on the Jubilee show, but what my exact debate strategy was. What was I thinking, for instance, when the Batman villain from Iran was defending the killing of Palestinian kids in Gaza, or the Hulk wannabe and descendant of US settlers was challenging my own American citizenship? How did I tackle and rebut the racist abuse, collective ignorance, and endless contradictions from my 20 - 20! - opponents?
Very nicely done. I had a great time watching, and I learned. Two of the most important things in life. I like to tell my children, "any day I learn something is a good day, and if I have fun while learning, it's a great day." I am a retired Ph.D. Quantum Chemist, most of my days have been great days, thanks for another.
A Master Class by The Master-mad props Mehdi. It was quite stunning to watch it the 1st time, a bit more fun to see you turn it into a heuristic moment for the rest of us! I do hope many minds were changed.
I like to think that there is a teacher or a university professor somewhere who pats him or herself on the back every time you do this fantastic stuff. I just wish there were less fascists in the world.
Cheeto In Process of Corrupting the Midterm Elections
All dictators corrupt their country’s elections to remain in power As Marc Elias points out on the Democracy Docket, the dictator has to remain in power under the guise of a free and fair election Election gaslighting if you will
So the point of having his corrupted DOJ demand voting rolls from blue states is part of Cheeto’s attempt to “rig the midterms” in his favor Since Cheeto has talked himself into believing he was denied re-election in 2020, he can easily justify in his twisted narcissistic mind, that it’s tit for tat
WE the People must remember how the Nazis won the 2024 election Greg Palast’s Vigilante Inc documentary in the fall of 2024 showed how the Nazis disenfranchised millions of voters in blue states with 40,000 Nazi volunteers to win the popular vote by 1.5m votes Palast calculates that Harris would have won the 2024 election had it not been for this one political tactic But of course the Nazis had more than one tactic
WE the People will not be duped or swindled again by a conman/mob boss Protest Protest Protest and form coalitions with neighbors friends relatives family Join Indivisible.org and make your voice heard in order to organize the resistance movement Aug13 join One Million Rising put together by Indivisible to help organize the movement Once coalitions are formed then WE the People can begin to boycott companies across the country to demand that oligarchs do not run this country
Thank you Medi for being such a fierce warrior for logic and integrity! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you for this!
I appreciate all of the advice and the pertinent clips illustrating the effectiveness of these debate strategies. Perhaps somewhat helpful. But no one can debate like Mehdi.
Truly the GOAT 🐐
Fascisty. What a word. Thank you Mehdi.
it was an eye-opening debate. Just one comment from your approach - I do wish you would sometimes let the other side finish a sentence :)
@Mehdi
Thank you for sharing these lessons, very valuable!
I wanted to ask about your choice of words in this video. You referred to “some of those freaks and loons” from the Jubilee debate. I understand the debate featured people with extreme views — some even openly embracing fascism — but I’m curious why you chose personal labels over describing the specific ideas or behaviours.
Given your aim to win over undecided audiences, do you think those words risk painting the entire group with the same brush or making it easier for opponents to dismiss you as engaging in the same kind of name-calling you warn against?
I’m genuinely interested in your thinking here, especially on the balance between righteous outrage and strategic persuasion.
He's quoting people who asked about his approach ... thus the pause between "those" and "freaks and loons".
And the "neutral" people that he's trying to reach and persuade don't identify as "freaks and loons" so why would they feel like they are being painted with the same brush? Some of the people he debated were openly self-acknowledging racists and fascists ... Medhi explicitly is not trying to reach such people or change their minds. Part of the exercise here is to demonstrate to "neutrals" that Medhi's opposition are bad people ... bad not just in his mind but bad in the minds of the "neutrals" he's trying to sway.
"personal labels over describing the specific ideas or behaviours"
It's not either/or ...he said plenty about specific ideas and behaviors ...
"""
My ‘Surrounded’ debate last month was almost two hours in length, and featured me facing off against 20 different ‘far right conservatives.’ While many of my opponents weren’t interested in a good-faith debate or discussion, and opted instead for personal abuse and ad hominem attacks, I happened to have prepared for that encounter, and so I made sure I got my points across.
Many of you have been asking me over the past few weeks not just how I prepared for this very bizarre, almost surreal, clash on the Jubilee show, but what my exact debate strategy was. What was I thinking, for instance, when the Batman villain from Iran was defending the killing of Palestinian kids in Gaza, or the Hulk wannabe and descendant of US settlers was challenging my own American citizenship? How did I tackle and rebut the racist abuse, collective ignorance, and endless contradictions from my 20 - 20! - opponents?
"""
Excellent!!! Just sent this to an eleven year old who loves arguing. Perhaps, this will encourage him to become a debater!
Very nicely done. I had a great time watching, and I learned. Two of the most important things in life. I like to tell my children, "any day I learn something is a good day, and if I have fun while learning, it's a great day." I am a retired Ph.D. Quantum Chemist, most of my days have been great days, thanks for another.
It’s sad to think these kids are most likely the products of their parents. Racism, hate, and violence are inherent traits.
A Master Class by The Master-mad props Mehdi. It was quite stunning to watch it the 1st time, a bit more fun to see you turn it into a heuristic moment for the rest of us! I do hope many minds were changed.
That was a masterclass on how to debate - you were superb Mehdi!
Mehdi. " A star. That face. That mouth. Rattling it off like a machine gun."
Couldn't resist 😋. You're 👍. Good lesson.
I like to think that there is a teacher or a university professor somewhere who pats him or herself on the back every time you do this fantastic stuff. I just wish there were less fascists in the world.
Cheeto In Process of Corrupting the Midterm Elections
All dictators corrupt their country’s elections to remain in power As Marc Elias points out on the Democracy Docket, the dictator has to remain in power under the guise of a free and fair election Election gaslighting if you will
So the point of having his corrupted DOJ demand voting rolls from blue states is part of Cheeto’s attempt to “rig the midterms” in his favor Since Cheeto has talked himself into believing he was denied re-election in 2020, he can easily justify in his twisted narcissistic mind, that it’s tit for tat
WE the People must remember how the Nazis won the 2024 election Greg Palast’s Vigilante Inc documentary in the fall of 2024 showed how the Nazis disenfranchised millions of voters in blue states with 40,000 Nazi volunteers to win the popular vote by 1.5m votes Palast calculates that Harris would have won the 2024 election had it not been for this one political tactic But of course the Nazis had more than one tactic
WE the People will not be duped or swindled again by a conman/mob boss Protest Protest Protest and form coalitions with neighbors friends relatives family Join Indivisible.org and make your voice heard in order to organize the resistance movement Aug13 join One Million Rising put together by Indivisible to help organize the movement Once coalitions are formed then WE the People can begin to boycott companies across the country to demand that oligarchs do not run this country
Mehdi, you are an inspiration.