What is a potential downside of the debate format mentioned in critiques?

The critique highlighting a lack of substantial rebuttals in the debate format emphasizes a common concern regarding the nature of debates. In many debate formats, particularly when time is limited, participants may struggle to adequately respond to their opponent's arguments. This limitation can result in superficial engagement with the issues at hand, where rebuttals do not sufficiently address the complexities of the opponent's claims. As a result, audiences may witness a presentation of opinions rather than a deep, meaningful dialogue about the topics under discussion.

This phenomenon undermines the effectiveness of debates as a tool for achieving consensus or exposing the strengths and weaknesses of different viewpoints, which is a core purpose of debating. It can lead to an unbalanced representation of arguments, where one side may dominate the conversation without being adequately challenged. Therefore, the lack of substantial rebuttals can hinder the educational value of debates, preventing both participants and audiences from fully grasping the intricacies of the issues involved.