Debate 1. Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Panel members:

Zach Pilgrim

George Henderson

Ryan McGee

Shawn Breedlove

Michael Randall

Panelists: if you have any questions about your statement, feel free to contact me: rwalterb@nmsu.edu

Panel members: please come prepared with a half-page statement on a topic related to the subject below, that you want to argue for and defend in the debate. Panelists can contact me in advance if they would like to run their statement by me (not required).

Topic:  The Age of the Earth, the Age of the Universe, and their Relevance to Life on Earth and life elsewhere in the Universe

The panel members may chose to approach this topic from a number of viewpoints. First, you don't have to address all of them, you can just pick one. Second, you can approach this from a scientific point of view or from a more philosophical point of view.

A few topics to get you thinking:

• What are your own thoughts on the age of the Earth and/or Universe? Does the whole scientific view make sense to you, or do you think it has loopholes or weak points?

• How well do we know the ages of the Earth and the Universe? How are they relevant in our quest for life in the universe? Why would a very young earth be a problem from a science perspective?

• Would you have thought the Earth be as old as the Universe? Why would an infinitely old universe possibly be a problem? What are your thoughts on this issue?

• What do you think of the Big Bang theory: acceptable, convincing, unsatisfactory, even disturbing?
  
  Audience members will take part in the discussion by asking questions and advocating their views.
  
  Instructor will moderate discussion and try to avoid the situation from running out of control.