The annual great Debate took place last Thursday night, arguing “that my BA was worth it”.
The affirmative team was composed of Hon. Darren Hughes, and comedians Jerome Chandrahasen and Tom Williams. The negative team was Dr. Russel Norman, comedian Jim Stanton and student debater George Hampton. The evening was held together by the always entertaining Greg Ellis, as Chair.
Having completed my BA last year (studying two of the subjects most hammered in the debate: Theatre and Political Science) and seated between a Law and Commerce student and a Science and Commerce student, I found the evening somewhat depressing, but nevertheless entertaining. I did have a bit of a giggle and a sideways glance to either side when one speaker quipped that a Commerce degree was “just a licence for theft.” Tehehe.
George Hampton, before being heckled off the stage (he wasn’t that bad, just everyone had cashed in their Tui vouchers by his third negative speech) had it right that the tone of the debate was “well lower than the New Zealand dollar.”
Jim Stanton, the only speaker not to have completed her BA, and also the only female in the debate, was a star. Go and see her when she next does stand up or performs with the Comediettes.
The Great Debate never fails to be a fun evening, a good laugh and a kickstart to the debating year. DebSoc club nights begin this Wednesday with an impromptu show debate at 6:30 in the Student Union Building. I hear there’s free pizza, so go along.
Although it was not the most motivational way to begin the year, with the speakers educating the mostly first year audience on how they had spent most of their BA (generally drunk) I was relieved to see it go to the affirmative team. My BA was totally worth it.