26 January

The Pledge is a UK debating show on SKY. Here in Oz the ABC is doing something a bit similar, though not as good, with The Drum. This is one area where ultra-conservatives have been so clever. What engages people is hearing the different viewpoints actually debated, that’s what we really need. Q&A is dreary, too many people, leading to no real debates, just an assortment of speeches. You need a small panel of good debaters, representing all of the views. It’s compelling TV, people actually see and learn how arguments can be had and differences of opinion can co-exist and even change through debate. I don’t think our society is broken, it’s just a rich society that hasn’t had to argue about much for a long time. So the arguments now are freaking people out. But done well argument is the soul of social life, shows like this are a necessary education. Sport is the most popular thing on TV. Debates are sport for the mind.