I am looking for an online transcript of a good debate, preferably an
email discussion.

It doesn't matter what subject it is, except that it must be
understandable to a general reader, but it needs to have two or more
different points of view. Ideally, the participants are  genuinely
trying to define the issue and come up with mutually acceptable
answers, definitions, or solutions. (I don't want idealogues who
defiantly stick to their initial positions, except if they can argue
honestly about them.)

The ideal transcript will be one created over a period of time, with
initial arguments, supporting evidence, rebuttals, logical analysis,
perhaps with others in the sidelines pitching in occasionally.

It would be even better if we (the readers of the transcript) can see
the different issues take shape, grow and diminish, the focus of the
argument shift, and a final resolution come into view.

Final requirements: the transcript should be available online and to
the public (no subscriptions; registrations may be OK, depending on the
burden).

One pretty good example of a good transcript is "The Path to a
Hydrogen Economy", which is a
transcript of a Congressional Hearing. It contains testimony from a variety of
people, as well as a discussion moderated by the committee. Finally it has
supporting documentation in the appendices. It would be even better if
it was an email discussion. Also, it should really be availible as a
text file, not a pdf.

Link to Hearings Catalog page: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/chearings/108hcat1.html
Link to transcript document (11MB PDF):
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_house_hearings&docid=f:85417.wais.pdf

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 15 Apr 2005 12:48 PDT

There are a number of online debates that were hosted by BT, and are
available here:


http://www.btplc.com/Societyandenvironment/Socialandenvironmentreport/Stakeholderdialogue/Onlinedebates/Pastdebates/Archiveddebates.htm


Are these the sorts of topics and formats you're interested in?


If not, perhaps you can add a bit more detail as to what you're after.

Thanks.

pafalafa-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 15 Apr 2005 12:51 PDT

Another resource is the Science Museum, which has hosted a number of
online debates, such as this one on telepathy:


http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscience/telepathy/321.asp

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Clarification of Question by toluca-ga on 15 Apr 2005 14:19 PDT

Neither of the examples above fit my criteria. Although the are
identified as "debates" they are not debating specifc questions but
mearly discussing them. They are not primarily "arguments, supporting
evidence, rebuttals, logical analysis" but rather commentary and
independent opinions. For example, the "debate" on telepathy instructs
the participants to: "Tell us what you think. Are you one of the
majority of people in the UK who believe in telepathy? Do you have a
telepathic experience you would like to share?"  This is not an
example where the the participants are  "genuinely
trying to define the issue and come up with mutually acceptable answers"

This isn't an email debate, but it might interest you. The Straight
Dope Message Board, one of the finest discussion forums on the 'Net,
has a special section called "Great Debates" in which matters both
serious and frivolous are discussed by forum members. You do not have
to be a member to read the posts; a free 30-day guest membership is
available if you wish to leave a comment or post a question.

http://www.quinlanroad.com/homepage/index.asp?LangType=1033

Hundreds of debates on a variety of issues may be found in the
"Debatabase" of the International Debate Education Association:

http://www.debatabase.org/