I actually use this topic as an in-class discussion. The class is CS 4001 Computers, Society an Professionalism, our required ethics (and argumentation) class. Our text (Writing Arguments by Ramage et al) has a nice chapter on evidence. We talk this through as a way of exploring what would be proper evidence for the pros and cons on both sides. And how best to present that evidence. When I announce what today's discussion topic will be, the expressions on the faces of the students with laptops open is absolutely priceless! What I think is important (and this is the top-level point of the class as a whole) is not giving the students a particular answer, but making sure they *ask the question*, and find the answer that works for them. (Is this helping me? Is this distracting me? Am I here because I have to be, or because there's something I want to get out of it? Etc.) -- Amy Amy Bruckman Associate Professor College of Computing Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332-0760 Tel: 404-894-9222 Fax: 404-894-3146 Email: asb@cc.gatech.edu Web: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/~asb/