Last weekend, the vaccine scientist Peter Hotez faced criticism from Joe Rogan, a popular podcaster, for hosting Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known spreader of vaccine misinformation. Rogan challenged Hotez to a debate on his show, offering to donate $100,000 to charity as an incentive. While Hotez declined, RFK Jr. accepted the challenge. This exchange quickly led to a pressure campaign on Twitter, with both sides standing their ground.
The idea of debating when challenged is often seen as a core principle of democracy. In a democratic society, citizens rely on informed discourse to make decisions and elect leaders. Debate allows for the exploration of different viewpoints and the sharpening of our own beliefs. However, not all debates are created equal, and not all are worth engaging in. The incident involving Rogan and Hotez illustrates how our digital platforms have changed the nature of discourse, despite preserving the rhetoric about the value of debate.
As a scholar studying the effects of networked digital media, I reflect on the evolution of debates from the Lincoln-Douglas era to the present. The format of debates has adapted to suit specific mediums, such as television, which prioritizes brevity and visual excitement. Audiences have come to expect these characteristics, and debaters must adapt to meet these expectations. This shift has also influenced how information is received in new channels like streaming video and podcasts.
Different media types shape the creation and perception of messages. Research suggests that images elicit more emotional responses than text, and audio messages take on different characteristics when paired with visual elements. Winning a debate based on substance may not translate to winning in the public consciousness if the message doesn’t align with the audience’s expectations for the medium.
The Rogan challenge highlights the impact of the social internet on debates. Presidential debates, for example, receive simultaneous attention on TV and online platforms. Social media amplifies and contextualizes candidate speech, often focusing on memorable moments rather than substantive arguments. This shift in focus from evidence and reason to cultural interpretation and context influences how debates are perceived and remembered.
Furthermore, social media platforms contribute to the creation of echo chambers, where users are surrounded by like-minded individuals and exposed to content that aligns with their beliefs. This polarization diminishes the pool of persuadable voters and raises questions about the purpose of debates when persuasion seems unlikely. Debates become more like sporting events, with predetermined supporters on each side, cheering for their preferred outcome.
Rogan’s challenge to Hotez reflects an idealization of debate, but the format he proposes does little to advance understanding or foster meaningful inquiry. Modern debates often prioritize entertainment value and media interests over serving the public. Rogan’s challenge was strategically crafted to benefit himself regardless of the outcome, allowing him to gain attention and bolster his business. This approach does not prioritize the quality of the debate or its potential impact on society.
While the phrase “Debate me, you coward!” appeals to the ideals of debate in a democratic society, it fails to address the current state of debates and who they truly serve. We must look beyond the rhetoric and acknowledge the shortcomings of debates in their current form.
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