Very good point - I think however it’s worth noting the lack of the NSDA’s addressing of the judges biases and the high levels of debate within that organization the specific people oversee.
Regardless, and to the authors point, if an alternative org is provided that people prefer, it will gain popularity.
I see that and you explained it well. I guess it’s the idea that in the debate it’s not about the merits of your ideas but things outside the debate that affect if you win or lose in this scenario that’s the problem for me. Point totally taken though that we’ll never fully remove the biases, I just think we should try to be as even handed as possible in these educational settings.