Could the skills of formal debates lead to better arguments and less polarization?

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

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Airdate: Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Book Week continues on Wednesday’s Smart Talk.

America is a polarized country on political and cultural issues. There have been times in the past when Americans have been divided but one of the unique characteristics of the time we live in is that there often seems to be little appetite for compromise or even considering what someone is saying when there’s a disagreement.

If you listen to Wednesday’s Smart Talk guest, it may make for less polarization – even if there are disagreements.

Bo Seo is author of the new book Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard. Seo is a two-time world champion debater and former coach of the Australian national debating team and the Harvard College Debating Union.