Death K
kritiks
The Death K can refer to two different arguments -- this page will focus on the more common (and perhaps most ethical) understanding of "death ks," which is those that critique the usage of the shock value of death in order to 'win the game' of debate. To be clear, the 'death k' doesn't only have to regard death, although it usually does. It can also critique a general needless perceived fascination with violence by the oppositional team, even if that violence doesn't result in death.
Key authors: Erich Fromm, Alfred C. Snider
Alternatives/Alts:
- An affirmation of (and focus on) life and "natality"
- Rejecting the aff - to cause deterrence against debaters using death-focused arguments in future debates.
Impacts:
- Desensitizes debaters, judges, and spectators to needless violence and death.
- Spills up to justify mass structural violence outside of the debate space -- making death seem nearer and less horrible increases hostility towards those with alternative world views.
- Denies the other team the ability to avoid death impacts
