I was in middle school when Adam Sandler’s Billy madison came out. The year following, we had debate class.
Anything remotely approximating a gish-gallop was immediately responded to with the ben stein quote
“what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Im disappointed this did not just become the standard shut down.
That’s awesome. I’ve heard that clip played for so many things over the years, and honestly, I wish public political “debates” would push a buzzer, cut the mic of the offender and play that clip. Being able to spot and name a Gish Gallop should be in every American’s toolbox and maybe a humorous way to teach it would be that clip. :)
I’ve never been in debate class or on a debate team, but I’m well aware that what is often called a “debate” isn’t anything like what a debate should be. Most of it seems to be about who is able to craft and get in a well-scripted zinger, but one that doesn’t come off like it’s well-scripted.
Like Ronnie Raygun’s “there you go again”. I mean, that’s the classic case of this kind of thing, and even today, conservatives that remember that think it’s a real counterpoint. When it just sounds like something barely evolved past the playground’s “I know what you are, but what am I?”
And people, even with the rise of the Internet, are still able to get away with the Gish Gallop and have people think the abuser is really smart and a master debater.
I was in middle school when Adam Sandler’s Billy madison came out. The year following, we had debate class.
Anything remotely approximating a gish-gallop was immediately responded to with the ben stein quote
“what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Im disappointed this did not just become the standard shut down.
It was Jim Downey, but Ben Stein probably would’ve worked just fine in that role as well. Too bad Stein’s an anti-abortion creationist weirdo though.
Jim Downey is a comedy legend. If you know, you know.
That’s awesome. I’ve heard that clip played for so many things over the years, and honestly, I wish public political “debates” would push a buzzer, cut the mic of the offender and play that clip. Being able to spot and name a Gish Gallop should be in every American’s toolbox and maybe a humorous way to teach it would be that clip. :)
I’ve never been in debate class or on a debate team, but I’m well aware that what is often called a “debate” isn’t anything like what a debate should be. Most of it seems to be about who is able to craft and get in a well-scripted zinger, but one that doesn’t come off like it’s well-scripted.
Like Ronnie Raygun’s “there you go again”. I mean, that’s the classic case of this kind of thing, and even today, conservatives that remember that think it’s a real counterpoint. When it just sounds like something barely evolved past the playground’s “I know what you are, but what am I?”
And people, even with the rise of the Internet, are still able to get away with the Gish Gallop and have people think the abuser is really smart and a master debater.