Mathews,+Sam

Kent Denver School '13 Princeton University '17 Conflicts: Kent Denver School, Harvard-Westlake School, Scarsdale High School Last Updated: 12/03/15

I debated for four years at Kent Denver School in Englewood, CO. I reached elim rounds of the TOC. I taught at VBI and NSD. I also coached for Scarsdale High School in Scarsdale, NY from 2013 to 2014.

I will vote on any argument with a warrant. While I debated, I ran anything from normative skepticism to pre-fiat arguments about discrimination (though I'm not a fan of the latter anymore). To quote based Christian Tarsney, my favorite debates to watch are: “(1) philosophical debates focused on normative framework, (2) empirical debates with lots of weighing and evidence comparison, (3) just plain stock debates, (4) 'critical' debates revolving around incoherent non-arguments from obscurantist pseudo-philosophers, and (5) theory debates.”

Speed is fine. I will call clear twice and then stop flowing until you slow down. I'd encourage you to be particularly aware of clarity when it comes to blippy spikes or theory standards. **If the implication of an argument is unclear to me when it is presented, I will not treat its extension as if it has been conceded by your opponent.**

I default to truth-testing, reasonability, and drop the argument. I prefer not to disclose speaker points. If you have other questions, just ask before the round.