Instigator / Pro
4
1470
rating
50
debates
40.0%
won
Topic
#1962

Rancho's definition for a machine is incorrect

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
0
3
Better sources
2
2
Better legibility
1
1
Better conduct
1
1

After 1 vote and with 3 points ahead, the winner is...

zedvictor4
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
2
Time for argument
Two days
Max argument characters
10,000
Voting period
Two weeks
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Con
7
1442
rating
22
debates
34.09%
won
Description

This video is here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MlkASchodc

You are to prove Rancho's simplified definition. You may use Chatur's definition, but that is not needed.
Any questions may be asked in the comments section and comments section only. I will try my best to answer them at the time that I am awake. Cheating, swearing and forfeiting is discouraged. Evidence is encouraged.

Criterion
Pro
Tie
Con
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Argument: The flaw in Pro’s argument that "all machines must be able to reduce human effort" as needed to be proved by Con is the imperative "must" that was not part of Rancho’s definition. For example, a Rube Goldberg machine [a machine designed to perform a simple task by extravagant mechanical operation], certainly does not reduce human effort in the making of it, let alone reducing the time involved in accomplishing the simple task, yet it meets Pro’s definition of "machine."

Further, that non-machines can also reduce human effort is a red herring because Pro never implied the difference, let alone the mention of "tool" as opposed to "machine." Therefore, the mention of "non-machines" is irrelevant.

Finally, that Rancho did not mention direct, or indirect contribution to effort cannot be implied either way. We don’t know Rancho’s mind on the intention.

Whereas, Con’s argument of definition of machine, i.e., "The machine is defined by human purpose and the purpose of the machine is to reduce the effort of and/or increase the ability of, the human purpose" is wholly accurate, and, it supports Rancho’s definition. Points to Con for the better, cohesive argument.

Sources: Tie. Although Con offered no sources, Pro's sole source, the video, did not support Pro's argument.

S&G: Tie

Conduct: Both were courteous to one another. Tie.