The 2021 Plate Debate

It was a great crowd that assembled at the Taradale Club for the sixth Plate Debate between Napier Boys and Napier Girls High Schools.  Fellowship and an excellent two-course dinner set the evening off to a great start.

The Great Plate Debate (the moot being that “All social media platforms should be banned”) was fiercely fought with both teams presenting a strong, informative and at times hilarious argument – Napier Boys in the affirmative, Napier Girls in the negative.  Jack Turnbull started the Napier Boys’ argument by clearly declaring their focus was very definitely ‘should all social media platforms be banned’ not ‘can they be banned’.  Jack’s view of social media was “a place where everyone is living a perfect life . . . except you!”

The Napier Girls’ argument was based on regulation as the answer and they adopted an investigatory approach (with supporting props).  “My mother” Stephanie Brough said “likes to express her opinion no matter what others may think.  Social media gives this right to everyone.”  (Stephanie’s mother was seated nearby and listened without comment.)

Ben Shirley presented justification for banning social media based on the mental and physical health impacts it has on the young in particular and Francine Sales countered by noting that banning social media “would be like reverse engineering a McDonalds beef burger back into a cow’s hind leg” She argued that you can’t put social media back in the box because someone else would simply recreate it; regulation is the only viable option.

Oliver Parvin reminded the audience that Facebook has been going for 16 years but still hasn’t found a way to address online hate speech and abuse. Charlotte Williams provided the Adjudication Panel guidance in their deliberations by pointing out the affirmative team’s argument was simply full of holes and gave several examples to prove her point.

Stephanie and Jack in turn wrapped up the debate, each with a tidy summary of what was wrong with the other team’s argument and why their stance was the right one.  The Adjudication Panel promptly retired to deliberate and it must have been a very difficult decision – they were away for what seemed like a long time.  On their return, Napier Boys were declared the winners and awarded the $2,000 prize, Oliver Parvin the best speaker and received $500 toward his future studies (Jack Turnbull second best and Stephanie Brough third best). The score now sits at three wins each – roll on next year’s debate!