DebateThis

So we've basically been mentioning some sort of debate style forum since Devastator day one. I'm really excited about this idea. I think it'll be entertaining, informative and competative enough to create a real user base.


You are the Star.
It would be aimed at the pollitically disgruntled and otherwise informed college demographic: 15-25. This covers both the iGeneration and yGeneration, two groups of young people who expect technical simplicity, creativity, style, entertainment, instant gratification and most importantly: themselves.

One of the things I came across in my research is that these kids crave fame. This is a whole generation of people who desire a certain level of internet recognition. From Facebook to YouTube to Myspace, the ability for us to see ourselves and for other people to see us has become paramount.

One of the founding pricnipals of DebateThis is that if you are knowledgeable enough and you work hard enough, you WILL be known in this community. You can be famous. You can be infamous. Or you can just be.

Functionality
DebateThis is a widget. A clickable, linkable icon that can attach to nearly any web 2.0 savvy web page. DebateThis will feature its own website where you can customize you're own user profile and install the browser-embedded software, ala StumbleUpon or Skype.

After the software is installed, an icon will appear at the bottom of all stories from participating news organizations. For example if CNN and The New York Times both pick this up, the icon will appear at the bottom of nearly every story the DebateThis user reads.

Clicking on the icon takes you to TheArena, a sub-page that is back within the DebateThis website itself. There you will see a enclosed version of the article along with a section to "Spark a Debate."

Basically, the first person to comment can say anything he or she wants about the article in controlled but challenging manner. The idea is that the person comments on something in or about the article that in effect, challenges the other members of the DebateThis community.

That challenge can be in an audio, video, print or multimedia format and is displayed prominately on the articles own arena page (and also linked to each induvidual poster's blog). Other members then come out of the woodwork to counter the arguement, statement or question.

The motivation is that each time a user posts something thought-proviking and directly tackles whatever was said in a way that it almost trumps the other user, it earns points for that user. The user community can vote on each post. Points are awarded for the number of positive ratings as well as number of hits per each post.

Accumulating points allows each member to become more influential in the community. The top point earners are always displayed on the homepage where users can find out more about that person. A senior point earner (or something) may be able to write his or her own articles for the page or have his own featured space where other users can listen to more of what he has to say.

A member may become such a good and knowedlgeable debator that his fame can travel accross the entire community. With enough points and position in the community, he may even grow a following and then a team, where other members work to post together under his leadership (or something).

Other Things
-Any post with clearly bellow the belt, over the line, unrelated/spamcious or just plain offensive will be moderated by a team of the site's moderators (probably including senior point earners if they so choose). That user is then subject to loose points, status, privileges or may be outright blocked from usage.

-The length and extensiveness of every post a user makes while debate (wheter it be video, audio, print or otherwise) is directly correlated with his standing in the community. A top earning, popular member may have up to a full minute more or chunk of white space comapred to a rookie member.

-All the various social networking stuff is here. Every member has a profile and blog all geared towards the community. Again, the amount of information and content that can be posted on this section is determined by community status.

-If a debate is already sparked, a user can always spark a new one. The debates branch off in a cool presentation like a brainstorming bubble chart thing. Flashy and fun and such.

-I want to somehow implement teams, competetion and triva events later on.
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Hope you like or hate this idea. Sorry I waited so late to post, I've been thinking about this one for awhile. Ask questions during the conference. It'll be fun.

talk to you then.