I thought I’d propose the same thing here. Let’s think of a really, really pointless debate—something not political, something entirely speculative, and something any one of us could take a either stand on without it meaning too much—then pick a side and argue it. The only relevant thing is that it be common-knowledge enough for any of us to discuss it.
It can be anything: Tyson versus Ali; sandals versus sneakers; WWE versus old-school NWA; Ming dynasty versus Julio-Claudian Rome ... it really doesn’t matter that much.
Are we talking a metaphysical battle, a philosophical squabble, a socio-political debate , or a down and dirty street fight..cause I got a nasty right hook…
How bout a banjo pick off?..my five string prowess is legendary in these parts..
Shanafelt vs. Shana Flannigan vs. Shandango vs. Shanalamadingdong vs. Shansabelt Slacks vs. Shanavision vs. Shanny Pants vs. Shanafeel vs. Shanafull vs. Shanaman vs. ...
But seriously, Luke Skywalker (pre Jedi training in Empire Strikes Back) versus Captain Kirk (in his youthful prime).
This we can definitely get a debate out of. Which side do you want?
Or the Avengers versus Gary Trudeau’s Doonsbery comic.
It depends on the contest, but the resolution is clear in either case. Anything combat goes to the Avengers, as the only superpowered character to speak of in Doonesbury is Uncle Duke (survived death after becoming a voodoo zombie, survived his own existential death after Thomson died, has had several drug-related hallucinations that have impacted the real world). That puts him roughly on par in terms of possible power with someone like an early Dr. Strange Scarlet Witch, but without the training to use it. None of the other Doonesbury characters have obvious superpowers, although some—Mr. Butts, for instance—are clearly non-human.
If the contest were intellectual, or about examining some social topic, Doonesbury characters win. Even the dumbest of them is smarter than the Hulk, and the range of knowledge of social issues in the whole of the Marvel Universe is far less than in the Doonesbury one. While there are super-human scientists in the Avengers, most notably Tony Stark, very few of the characters are aware of a larger social or political reality, with the possible exception of She-Hulk, who is aware that she’s a fictional character and that her universe is a giant metaphor.
But seriously, Luke Skywalker (pre Jedi training in Empire Strikes Back) versus Captain Kirk (in his youthful prime).
One question: Are we assuming these two are completely isolated and unprepared, or that the fight is inevitable but that the two have had some time to prepare, consult their allies and learn about their opponents? This is relevant, because certain advantages on both sides could be cancelled out.
Christ Steve your superior knowledge is huge buzz kill. I have to take another Clonipin now..I will only participate in this debate if you have some sort of handicap..perhaps all your arguments will have no words using the letter P… that might make it an even fight..
Are we talking a metaphysical battle, a philosophical squabble, a socio-political debate , or a down and dirty street fight..cause I got a nasty right hook…
How bout a banjo pick off?..my five string prowess is legendary in these parts..
That’s between you and Fred. We could have you and Chad Nesbit in a spelling bee, too. (You’d win.)
I’m still perplexed over the need for a debate about something idiotic. Go to the main page and you can find 52 comments (and counting) over the annual letter to the editor about wearing shoes being a violation of civil rights. You can’t beat that with Tarzan and Flash Gordon in a grudge match.
Christ Steve your superior knowledge is huge buzz kill. I have to take another Clonipin now..I will only participate in this debate if you have some sort of handicap..perhaps all your arguments will have no words using the letter P… that might make it an even fight..
We could debate something I know very little about. My knowledge of geekery is pretty good, but there are plenty of topics on which I’m quite uninformed.
