These arguments and definitions were offered at previous gatherings.
If you would like to make an argument at a future event, offer us an argument here.
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Industries & platforms should be regulated to prevent enshittification
Proposal: “We should regulate industries and their platforms and products to prevent enshittification (the strategy of offering valuable features for users upon launch and then degrading services over time to maximize profits).”
I have not yet received the notes from this event.
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The best realistic outcome of the Iran War is for Americans to accept a loss
Proposal: “For the United States to have a chance at winning the war, it will require tens of thousands of US soldier deaths to take and occupy the mountain fortress of Iran, or it will require massive war crimes like widespread carpet bombing or dropping nuclear weapons to break the will of the Iranian people. If Americans can gracefully accept the end of the United States as the global hegemon, it will open up an opportunity to rebuild democratic institutions.”
There was no note taker for this argument.
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We should build a technologically enabled direct democracy
Proposal: “Representative nation-state capitalism should be replaced with a technologically enabled direct democracy and universal access to life’s necessities. Modern society still runs on ancient systems of hierarchy, tribalism, and wealth hoarding. The social habits and institutions that developed around these systems are the primary barriers to the next stage of human progress.”
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Literacy Tests should be required for US voters
Proposal: “There should be more voter suppression, in the form of literacy tests, along the lines of the test given to people applying for citizenship. We don’t need more voters who are clueless about the Constitution.”
Challenge: “Age is arbitrary and a civics exam is subjective. Democracy works best when the vote is limited to those who are willing to pay a steep price for the privilege. The most valuable resource anyone has is time. Therefore, the voting privilege should be limited to those who have served the government (police, military, etc.) for at least 4 years for nothing beyond basic room and board.”
View the report for this argument here.
View a lightly-edited OCR scan of Jamili’s original notes here.
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The US is not justified in initiating war, military conflict, or use of force with Iran without consulting allies.
Expanded Argument: “No major power is justified in initiating a war (or use of force). All military operations should be defensive and in consultation allies. We no longer live in a world where national interests can always take precedence over global interests. Global stability depends on alliances through diplomacy that can both protect and advance U.S. national security interests while supporting the safety of people throughout the world.”
View the report for this argument here.
View a lightly-edited OCR scan of Jamili’s original notes here.
We have been developing a format for drawing out, clarifying, and analyzing contentious in-person arguments. Ultimately, this format is more accurately conceived of as a collection of tools and tactics to encourage an honest and constructive exchange. The facilitator has a lot of discretion to change course and experiment depending on group dynamics.
The latest version of the Generous Argument Format can be viewed here.