The objective of Lyceum Debates is to restore civil discourse in the United States. Our format aims to reward solution-centric discussion and offer an alternative to conventional political debate formats
by Tim Kane The Ugly American started as a novel and ended as a catchphrase. It’s used offhand today to describe callous superpower tourists who don’t make any attempt to
The objective of Lyceum Debates is to restore civil discourse in the United States. Our format aims to reward solution-centric discussion and offer an alternative to conventional political debate formats that argue either-or resolutions. Lyceum debates are conducted virtually and take about 30 minutes to record, giving each of 3 or more participants equal speaking time. The final videos are edited and produced to guarantee equal speaking time. Advice for Participants Debates will be conducted and recorded over an online platform (Riverside) Participants should be dressed formally — the same as a television interview. Participant camera (laptop or otherwise) should be at eye level. Use strong front lighting for your face, and a professional background. Rules Structure. Three people make three recommendations aimed at one problem. Each participant gets three minutes to make their main points, two minutes to cross-examine the other participants (and two minutes to be cross-examined), and
by Tim Kane The Ugly American started as a novel and ended as a catchphrase. It’s used offhand today to describe callous superpower tourists who don’t make any attempt to speak the language. Ugly Americans aren’t there to conquer, that’s so last century. It’s imperialism by credit card, an ignorance of culture beyond what Hollywood appropriates. The label entered the vernacular of global elites and never left. New money, no class. The eponymous novel was more sophisticated, and a surprise sensation upon its publication in 1958. The first draft of the manuscript was a non-fiction analysis about diplomacy in Southeast Asia, but was converted to fiction at the urging of its publisher. John Kennedy was so impressed that he sent a copy of The Ugly American to each of his fellow Senators. He was inspired by its message to shake up American foreign policy. Upon winning the presidency, Kennedy established
