by Ray Jason
The
great American novelist, Jack London, used to host elaborate dinner
gatherings at his ranch in northern California. He would invite a
mix of notable people from the worlds of literature, politics and
business. Sprinkled among
these well-known “thought leaders,” as we would describe them
today, would be a group of “regular folk” from the neighboring
ranches and towns.
After
dinner he would rise at the head of the long table and announce that
they were going to engage in a debate. Then he would choose a topic
such as “Should alcohol be made illegal.” Finally, he would
pause for dramatic effect, and exclaim in a ringing voice, “I’LL
TAKE EITHER SIDE!”
I
first heard this inspirational anecdote from my debating coach in
college. He, and the four students who comprised our team, were
packed into a tired station wagon headed for a tournament somewhere
in the Deep South.