In which we wonder about Academy

CP claims that the rematch bug is fixed, and since that’s the biggest problem (much of the rest is learning curve or just weird irreproducible anomalies), that’s a big confidence restorer. To be honest, if the system’s ever going to go totally south, I hope it’s this coming weekend at Bigle X, when he’s there to suffer through it in person. Then again, I’d much prefer it stay north for the duration. There are so many improvements over what we were doing in TRPC that I’d hate to have to go back. If nothing else, the double-entry system has virtually removed tab errors from the equation (except for a couple of judges who have gone out of their way to write addled ballots that no amount of discernment, including their own, can interpret). That’s a way big thing. And two people working at once on separate screens when complications arise—not bugs, just the normal ebb and flow of tabbing—is much better than one person.

Meanwhile, there’s the issue of Academy. Simply put, the educational modules are mostly a bust. This surprises me, since one would expect that especially PFers, with a new topic always breathing down their necks, would be interested in getting whatever help they can. Given that Kaz was one of the moderators, with all her policy background and knowledge of federalism, it’s not going to get much better than that. But, nobody showed, and I gather LD was the same, despite the moderation of one of the region’s top LD coaches, i.e., Chetan. Go figure. Maybe it’s the timing during off flights? That was one suggestion for the lack of attendance, that people are just used to zoning out or whatever when they’re not debating. On the other hand, there was a module on minorities in debate led by Willie Johnson that was very well attended, scheduled between the last preim and first elim. A hot subject, obviously, and a better time. As for the moderated break rounds, the report was that they weren’t much different from any other break round, which sort of makes sense.

Conclusions? Well, I’m certainly not thinking that the elevated JV structure of the division is a problem. The timing of Byram Hills and Monticello are such that, short of them suddenly becoming quarters bids, you’re just not going to get much if any varsity participation, whereas the lack of need for hiring judges remains a real plus. So a tournament for intermediate students those weekends still seems to make sense. I would just say that the best thing to do is schedule whatever you’re scheduling as educational between the prelims and elims, and don’t try to get too cute with too many things other than the rounds themselves. It all seemed like a good idea (and, by me, it still does), but there’s not much point in giving the people what they don’t want.