Debating Dr. Carrier

I will only participate in public debates if they meet the following requirements:

		You must organize the event. That means securing a reliable, courteous, and professional opponent, a competent moderator, a location for the debate, advertising to the local community, sound system or digital slide projection if required, a literature table for sale of my book, portable water for all parties to drink, adequate restroom facilities, parking, and ushering. In short, think ahead.
		There must be an unbiased moderator. This means someone who has not taken sides, or has a confirmed reputation for balance and fairness. A moderator must be strict in enforcing the time limits, the agreed format, and basic rules of decorum and fairness. My opponent and I must both approve of the moderator.
		The format of the debate must be settled. The debate format must be clear and fair and agreed upon by both parties well in advance. It cannot be changed at the last minute.
		The subject of the debate must be settled. Either I or my opponent must declare a position to be defended, and the other will rebut. This position must be stated clearly in a single sentence before I will agree to the debate. And I do not initiate debates. So unless you have an opponent who already chose a topic, you will have to tell me what subject you want to see debated.
		My opponent must sign a contract. I have a simple contract, which is open to negotiation, but it basically secures for both my opponent and myself full rights to the content of the debate, so we can both publish any content therefrom without legal interference from or financial obligation to the other. I will not debate until a contract is signed. If anyone will be making a recording of the event (video or audio), then the contract must be established between me, my opponent, and whoever is making or commissioning the recording, negotiating who can sell the recording and under what terms. This contract must also be signed in advance, or else recording must not be allowed.

About • Home • Contact