Set a pace suitable for all in debate. This statement is a response to the unfortunate everyday tendency for efforts in debate to be undermined by the poor apportionment in time. It basically boils down to having the common decency to let the person finish what they need to say, making any such exchange a significantly more pleasant and productive experience for all concerned.

In this hustle and bustle world we tend to try to do things in an ever shorter time without a loss in quality of the thing done. Now while the principles of standardization, automation and overall division of labour may have achieved such time compressions with an amazing degree of success, there is nothing standard, automatic or task-divisive about debate. As such it is only too easy for a debate to deteriorate due to inadequately apportioned time.

While many expect public debates to end with some sort of definite conclusion on the topic or issue in question, the truth is that there are many instances when this doesn’t come to be and is adjourned. The exception is, of course, when some kind of agreement in conclusion is forced. Adjournment is not a bad thing. As some say, people tend to do their best thinking with their sleeping cap on. A time of idle contemplation allows what has been said during debate to fall into place and evaluative processes occur to reevaluate one’s position. Time also allows one to check up on the available facts and strengthen or alter one’s viewpoint.

Time, both inside and outside active debate, can be a major factor in determining not only the degree to which it is psychological stressful to the participants, but also helps to determine the quality of the final conclusions as a whole.

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