Debate problem. Wanna give a few pointers?

[Mo0o]

Hey, in myHistory class we're doing this debate on which invention is better

LIght Bulb
Railroads/Steel
Telephone
Oil
Direct & Alternating current
Telegraph/Morse Code
Efficiency Theory/Machine Tools
Growth of Big Business


im AC/DC and ive pretty much got the others ones beaten in my mind but i need help on telephone, railroad and maybe big business

all the others ones depend on electricity so i got them there. but i can't figure out why the invention of electricity had a greater impact than railroads. please give any pointers

 

[StageLeft]

Well the thing about the railroad is all it did was make something already existing better, that being transportation. Yes it's important and helped with civilization but it was only improving something we already had.

Electricity was something entirely new. It allowed for everything from reliable on-demand bright lighting all the way to personal computers. Without electricity we'd still be riding around on horses and taking all our trips on diesel trains, or crappy cars at best. Although railway contributed to society massively another way to look at it is:

Which one could we do without the easiest now? You take away rail and shipping will have to change. It's not going to be great for the economy, but you take away electricity right now and civilization as we live it crumbles.

 

[Czar]

There is realy no invention more important then the other one of that list. If we go with the fact that one invention depends on the other then we are probably back with the "wheel" thing or the "fire" thing, so the older the invention is the more important it is.

I would choose Telegraph/Morse Code, but thats just my preference.

 

[vi edit]

<< There is realy no invention more important then the other one of that list. If we go with the fact that one invention depends on the other then we are probably back with the "wheel" thing or the "fire" thing, so the older the invention is the more important it is.

I would choose Telegraph/Morse Code, but thats just my preference. >>



If I'm thinking right, the Telegraph wouldn't be possible without electricity. The telegraph is just a break in an electrical signal. Without electricity, you would have no signal.

That said, I can't really think of a technology on that list outside of oil that hasn't taken huge leaps in productivity and efficiency because of electricity. The railroad was nice, but the internal combustion engine has proven to be far more significant.

 

[Mo0o]

yes, also what about big business? its kinda hard to combat that in anyway that relates back to me. I can say how big business is corrupt but its kinda hard to prove?

and also, does the telephone need electricity? do they get it from the telephone wires?

 

[StormRider]

Wow, from all the intelligent responses I think you all would make excellent debaters! In fact, you are all Master Debaters!

 

[Mo0o]

wow, [sarcasm]never heard that one before[/sarcasm]

 

[vi edit]

<< yes, also what about big business? its kinda hard to combat that in anyway that relates back to me. I can say how big business is corrupt but its kinda hard to prove?

and also, does the telephone need electricity? do they get it from the telephone wires? >>



Go yank the cord out of the wall, stick your tongue on it, and tell me if it uses electricity

But yes, to answer your question, there is a current running through the phone lines.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Do not stick your tounge on the live and ground telephone wire! But if you do anyways, let us know how much it hurt.

AC/DC rocks!


oh the other ACDC.... well. Big Business (aka large organized groups of people that help produce goods/services for profit) couldn't exist without a fast communication medium and power sources. AC/DC is critical for both of those.

Even steam engines railroads would require a communication network (the telegraph, telephone) and a sophisticated system for managing traffic patterns (computers, software).

 

[BoberFett]

Go ask DuffmanOhYeah for advice. He could tell you useful things like calling the other debater "a slackjawed luddite" or "an embarassment to humankind". You'll win your debate immediately if you take his advice.

 

[burnedout]

LIght Bulb
Railroads/Steel
Telephone
Oil
Direct & Alternating current
Telegraph/Morse Code
Efficiency Theory/Machine Tools
Growth of Big Business

Without AC/DC current, the Light bulb, Telephone (an effective one, not two cans and a string) and Telegraph are useless. In my opinion, AC/DC current would win.

The opposition with Oil may give you a good debate. Just remind him how many power plants are coal-fired.

If the person with the Growth of Big Business knows what they are doing, they could put up a good fight. Railroads and Steel were once dominant in the USA. That has now changed, however.

Should you really want to make this interesting, then research the key points your opponents might make. Familiarize yourself with their possible agenda. Then formulate your plan to squash them.

 

[vi edit]

One thing that is different about oil - it's not an invention. It's a naturally occuring resource. That sort of gives you a little of an angle to work with.

Now, if they start going into the actual refinement process of crude oil into something useable, then you can pull out your shooters and ask them if it would be possible to do it EFFECTIVELY without electricity of any sort.

 

[Mo0o]

my stance between oil and eletricity also includes the fact that cars run more cleanly on electricity than on oil so that a point and even nuclear reactors do less damage and oiling...right? bah