Positions

This position names Pablo Casals the greatest cellist of all time. It argues the 'father of the modern cello' established it as a serious solo instrument, rediscovered Bach's cello suites for modern players, and was also a renowned statesman and peace advocate.

This position holds that Parlia should support local controversies, not just global issues. It argues that covering local debates would be a useful service and would draw more people in, since discussing matters close to home tends to increase participation.

This position holds that AI will take many jobs but not all of them. It argues that AI has already automated much work and will continue to — forcing society to make crucial decisions about the nature of work — but that it may simply let people work less rather than not at all.

This position holds that passion is what makes star quality. It argues that an extreme love for and devotion to one's field is what elevates a person to stardom — pointing to figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Greta Thunberg, whose evident passion drew the world's attention.

This position holds that foreign residents should have not only the right to vote but also 'passive eligibility' — the right to be elected. It argues that without representation, immigrant communities are exposed to discriminatory policy, so standing for office secures their interests.

Pat Jennings, who was Tottenham goalkeeper from 1964-65 to 1976-77 was dominant when goalkeepers received no protection from referees. Famous for his ability to command his penalty area, he was arguably as good with his feet as he was with his hands. All while subjected to the type of challenges that would be considered assault in the modern game.

This position holds that people believe conspiracy theories as a cognitive reaction rooted deep in the subconscious. It argues such belief stems from thinking errors—clinging to 'degenerating research programmes' and committing the 'fatal attribution error'—and from the comfort the theories provide.

This position holds that people believe conspiracy theories simply because they are true. It argues such theories are often heavily researched and that some have ultimately been vindicated—though critics note the vast majority of conspiracy theories are never borne out.

This position attributes belief in conspiracy theories to distrust of the mainstream. It argues that those who distrust established institutions — the government and the media in particular — are far more likely to embrace conspiracy theories as an alternative account of events.

This position attributes belief in conspiracy theories to psychological factors. It argues that such beliefs are driven by epistemic, social and existential motives — the desire for understanding, belonging and control — and that a 'conspiracy mentality' predisposes some people to them.

Disagreements over policy can incite people to feel like they have lost their political or economic voice. Feeling a loss of political agency can lead to depression and anger, and both are emotions that cause extremist tendencies.

Because serial killers are usually in movies or TV shows, people don’t know a lot about them. Because of their ignorance, the public just sees criminals as characters. There’s never an inquiry as to why they harm people.

Hate is one of the root causes of extremism and extremist groups. Hate for other people can cause racism, homophobia, and acts of violence that turn into extremism.

Isolation and loneliness can be the leading cause of why people turn to extremism. Extremists have groups and organizations where like-minded people gather, giving lonely people a community and purpose.

Feeling undervalued and under-appreciated by society can make a person feel like they have nowhere to turn for support and encouragement. Extremist groups give people a sense of purpose and drive in their lives that that may not have if they're feeling underrepresented in their society.

This position holds that people, not guns, kill people. It argues that a gun is an inanimate object, dangerous only in dangerous hands — that those who would kill will find a way regardless — locating responsibility in the person pulling the trigger rather than the weapon.

Fetishes are sexual attractions that aren’t usually accepted or considered illegal if performed. The idea of enjoying something that isn’t approved has been an idea since the Bible’s story of Adam and Eve. Out of curiosity, people are attracted to these things.

This position attributes chronic lateness to overcommitment. It holds that some people are always late simply because they try to do too much at once — overscheduled and with too much going on, they run out of time and arrive late not from rudeness but from an overloaded life.

This position holds that people who are always late are simply selfish. It argues their tardiness reflects self-interest—prioritising their own time over everyone else's—so that being late is less a quirk of personality than a quiet disregard for the people kept waiting.

The goals of the body positivity movement center around promoting acceptance of people's differences. Despite this, some people take these views to extremes, using them to validate unhealthy behavior or promote their own agenda. These people undermine the progress the movement has made and serve as fuel for its critics.

This position holds that Persephone was indeed kidnapped by Hades. It argues that she was taken to the Underworld against her will — tricked by Hades and forced into marriage — rather than descending by choice, as the traditional abduction myth recounts.

This position holds that Persephone was not kidnapped by Hades but went of her own free will. It argues that she chose to eat the pomegranate seeds when she could have refused, and that in several tellings — especially older, pre-Hellenic versions — she descended to the underworld willingly.

This position backs Pete Buttigieg as the 2020 Democratic nominee. It argues the highly educated military veteran—young and openly gay—embodies a modern take on traditional American values, is an excellent fundraiser, blends old and new, and could win over rural voters.

This position approaches the question of the soul through philosophy, which it says establishes two main theories. It contrasts monism, which treats soul and body as one and the same, with dualism, which holds the soul and body to be separate things.

This position names Pierce Brosnan as the best James Bond. It argues that Brosnan was a 'chimaera' of the role — blending the suave charm, wit and physicality of the Bonds before him into a single, complete portrayal that captured everything the character should be.

Pixar may be the new kids on the block compared to Disney, but they are far from inexperienced or untalented. Pixar's stories are more relevant, their animation more impressive, and they understand modern culture far better than Disney, who are stuck in the past, reveling in glory days gone by. Pixar generates fresh, new ideas, while Disney has to fall back on their classics and rehash them to make them "relevant" to younger audiences. For these reasons and more, Pixar has knocked Disney off its throne, and is better in every way.

Police cameras are beneficial as they promote transparency, accountability, and serve to deter law enforcement officials in acting irrationally. They also heal community relationships.

Police cameras are not beneficial as they make individuals susceptible to breaches of privacy, may negatively impact on policing, and, where badly managed or withheld, it does not serve the function it was created for.

In policy debate, two teams of two argue for or against a certain policy change by the United States federal government. This format is mainly used in American debating at both the high school and collegiate levels.