These are the top 10 cards that were referenced the most by debate cases uploaded to Arguflow Vault (all of the OpenCaselist wiki). Each of these cards are from different cases and most likely have different cuts, or excerpts, from the original article.
Number 10:
Russian Cyberattacks can not take out the US grid (Collided 752 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/804d93d4…
Especially with these past couple of years with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, their cyber capability has come to the forefront of discussion in politics as well as in the debate community. This card talks about how Russia and China’s cyber capabilities are not as strong as they are made out to be. Furthermore, it discusses the fact that these actors have no incentive to attack the US when they know that US retaliation will be far more devastating. This card refutes common arguments made by debaters about how Russia and China are going to attack the US.
Number 9:
Biodiversity loss is an existential threat (Collided 782 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/bf915b405
Biodiversity loss is a distinct threat. This loss results from factors like ecosystem fragmentation, pollution, overfishing, and overpopulation. The 2015 Science Advances study reveals a rapid sixth mass extinction, with vertebrate species loss much higher than background rates. Wild populations dwindle due to habitat loss, as seen in various studies. Biodiversity loss could lead to catastrophic consequences, surpassing even climate change impacts, causing unrest, instability, and conflicts. This card is an impact card that is placed towards the bottom of the case to prove to the judge that solving the issues of their case is important.
Number 8:
Capitalism is a failed system that will lead to our extinction (Collided 810 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/e0a13ff8
In the early 21st century, capitalism is evident to have failed as a social system. Liberal democracy is collapsing, while fascism, patriarchy, racism, imperialism, and war resurge. Environmental consequences include biodiversity loss, climate change, and health crises. The world faces a crucial choice between transformative change and perilous collapse. These types of cards are parts of kritiks which are arguments that question the very social structures that we live in and how they are inherently flawed.
Number 7:
A definition of the phrase “in the area” (Collided 831 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/19bbcd23
This card is from the UN and it describes how the phrase “in the area” is defined. Specifically, in the area refers to all activities of the area. This card is usually used to help define the topic that is being debated or to point out how the other team’s case is misrepresenting the topic.
Number 6:
A US-China war over Taiwan will go nuclear (Collided 1083 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/68212cee
The possibility of a nuclear war between China and the United States in the context of a conflict over Taiwan is a growing concern. China’s military modernization and expansion of its nuclear arsenal, coupled with its determination to reunify Taiwan, create a scenario where the use of nuclear weapons could become a real possibility. A recent war game demonstrated the potential for rapid escalation in such a conflict. China’s strategy focuses on preventing US intervention by using nuclear threats to deter outside support for Taiwan. Despite China’s “no-first-use” nuclear policy, its increasing capabilities and the perceived need to ensure its threats’ credibility could lead to limited nuclear demonstrations. This card is an impact card that is used to show the judge why their case is important and why they should vote for them.
Number 5:
Definition of Open Borders (Collided 1088 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/98266602
This card defines what open borders are. It states that open borders are the absence of restrictions on the movement of goods and people across borders. This card is usually used to help define the topic that is being debated or to point out how the other team’s case is misrepresenting the topic.
Number 4:
Existential Threats are the most important impact (Collided 1155 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/6ae49a91
The author argues that despite the various disagreements in moral philosophy, there is a fundamental point of agreement that reducing the risk of global catastrophic events, such as a nuclear war, is of utmost importance. This assertion holds regardless of one’s moral framework, whether it’s consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, or even egoism. The sheer number of potential future lives at stake underscores the importance of this goal. This card is usually used to help show why existential threats are the most important impacts in front of the judge.
Number 3:
Definition of Utilitarianism (Collided 1160 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/1f6ef98a
Utilitarianism is “deep pragmatism.” Utilitarianism focuses on impartiality and values the conscious experience’s quality. It offers a common metric to resolve conflicts among different values. However, criticisms exist, especially its failure to address rights. The Trolley Problem is discussed, revealing utilitarianism’s limitations. Despite challenges, the guest defends utilitarianism as a practical approach to addressing moral disputes. This card is usually used to defend the use of utilitarianism as the framework to view impacts in the debate round.
Number 2:
Infectious diseases are an existential threat (Collided 1502 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/08302129
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to prepare for future, potentially worse pandemics. Scientific evidence suggests that the human gut harbors viruses capable of affecting vital organs. Pathogenic variants could lead to contagious viruses causing pandemics and severe diseases, potentially leading to the shutdown of civilization and human extinction. Addressing these scenarios requires preventative measures to mitigate projected adverse outcomes. This card is an impact card that is placed towards the bottom of the case to prove to the judge that solving the issues of their case is important.
Number 1:
Pleasure and reward systems control our actions (Collided 2492 times)
vault.arguflow.ai/card/1ece3a08
The role of pleasure in reward systems is complex and vital. Pleasure, a primary effect of rewards, drives learning, approach behavior, and decision-making. It underlies hedonic theories of reward function. While pleasure is a hallmark of rewards, it may not always be necessary. Rewards may involve substances essential for bodily function. Pleasure has evolutionary roots, promoting survival and gene propagation. The brain’s reward circuitry, including the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, influences liking, learning, and wanting aspects of pleasure. This circuitry plays a crucial role in addiction. Pleasure and reward systems also impact social interactions, mental health, and well-being. Recent research highlights differences in dopamine systems between humans and other primates, shedding light on unique human behaviors and potential vulnerabilities. This card is usually used to defend the use of utilitarianism as the framework to view impacts in the debate round.