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Debate Articles

Musk Off: Why Twitter’s acquisition won’t save discussion

Musk Off: Why Twitter’s acquisition won’t save discussion

Elon Musk’s ill-advised Twitter purchase will do nothing to help the failing platform
Decoding the controversy of gene editing

Decoding the controversy of gene editing

The uses of gene editing have been clouded with controversy ever since the technology was first developed in the 1970s. With the doors reopened for gene editing to return to the forefront of modern medicine, it’s crucial to learn about the correct facts and information that can decode this controversy.
Young political societies debate in run up to election

Young political societies debate in run up to election

The four main political societies on campus debated issues affecting students in the run up to the general election
Democratic candidates show why beating Trump will not be easy

Democratic candidates show why beating Trump will not be easy

Archie Earle delves into an analysis of the most recent Democratic Primary debate in the US
Chaos in lecture as students clash over Islam

Chaos in lecture as students clash over Islam

The lecture, part of the Racism and Ethnicity in the UK module, saw a male student cause a prolonged disturbance after voicing a controversial opinion
The cure to hate speech

The cure to hate speech

Alex Candlin argues that the best way of confronting hate speech is not to reject everyone’s right to speak as this will allow the views to continue to circulate, and will not address the underlying causes.
In conversation with: the Manchester Debating Union

In conversation with: the Manchester Debating Union

Chloe Hatton sits down with Jacklin Kwan, president of the Manchester Debating Union, to talk about her time in the society
A Scientific Take: is there a place for military funding in scientific research?

A Scientific Take: is there a place for military funding in scientific research?

Anish Gulati and Jacklin Kwan discuss the effects of military funding in science research, and whether it should have a place in STEM
Art and Artificial Intelligence: The Portrait of Edmond de Belamy

Art and Artificial Intelligence: The Portrait of Edmond de Belamy

Krishan Jethwa examines the debate surrounding the relationship between Art and Artificial Intelligence, following the controversial sale of an AI portrait
The Great Debate: ‘All Schools Should Be Art Schools’

The Great Debate: ‘All Schools Should Be Art Schools’

Alex Cresswell and Bella Jewell reflect back on the debate ‘All Schools Should Be Art Schools’, a panel discussion hosted by Manchester School of Art as part of the Design Manchester festival
The ultimate red herring: free speech on campus

The ultimate red herring: free speech on campus

President of the Manchester Debating Union Jacklin Kwan on the question of free speech and safe spaces on campuses, arguing that their goals are the same and it’s just the semantics that sparks conflict
Government pledges to protect free speech on campus

Government pledges to protect free speech on campus

It’s being claimed as the biggest intervention by ministers in campus free speech for more than 30 years
The theatre of debate – winning the war on political correctness

The theatre of debate – winning the war on political correctness

Reclaiming the space for intellectual, civilised debate

Free IFS talk on whether rich pay enough tax

“If you care about who’s paying for our public services, you should come to our public talk on the 24th” said IFS Associate Director ahead of free public talk

Free speech needs to be protected at universities

Freedom of speech is under threat on university campuses, as students we should be defending it

Brexit panel finds that young people hold huge stake in negotiations

While the specific nature of Brexit remains unclear, questions about the future are addressed at the University of Manchester, hosted by the Students’ Union

Gigi Hadid, Melania Trump, and the rise of virtue signalling

Romy Biscoe uses the controversy at the AMAs as a window to explore the modern phenomenon of ‘virtue signalling’ and its role in the US election

The failures of communication

Ryan Khurana examines the nature of communication, perception, and the ineffectiveness of modern debate

Free speech crusaders harm debate

Making some trivial issues to be political under the banner of free speech churns the debating ground into dogma

The triggering: safe spaces are eroding our freedoms

In university campuses across Canada, the United States and Britain is an evil that is triumphing against our freedom. It has led to the erosion of freedoms for many students—not just of speech but also the freedom of expression. But you may well ask me, “Colm, what is this evil you speak of? Is it […]