2019 Great American Think-Off Question Addresses Voting
The Cultural Center in New York Mills is pleased to announce the 2019 Great American Think-Off question: “To vote or not to vote: does it matter?”
This is the 27th annual Think-Off topic—a clearly debatable, timely yet timeless philosophical quandary meant to inspire thinkers from all walks of life.
Do you remember a teacher telling you that it is your duty to vote? Have you heard someone say that they don’t vote because they don’t think their one vote will make a difference? Do you have an internal debate on Election Day about whether or not to vote?
Even though we are inundated with information and encouraged to do our civic duty, the fact is, almost half of us don’t vote. The question is, does it matter? All are invited to submit their answer in essay form for a chance to win $500 and participate in the live debate this June.
The Great American Think-Off is an essay and debate competition held each year in tiny New York Mills, MN (population 1,224). 2019 marks the 27th year of the contest, which is free to enter and open to all, and has received entries from all 50 states and a number of international countries throughout its nearly three decade history.
To enter, submit a 750 word essay by April 1, 2019. Four finalists will be selected to receive $500 each, plus travel expenses and a chance to win the title of America’s Greatest Thinker at this year’s annual debate held on June 8, 2019 in New York Mills, MN.
Essays can be submitted online at www.think-off.org (preferred), by email to [email protected], or by mail to Great American Think-Off, c/o Cultural Center, P.O. Box 246, New York Mills, MN 56567. Finalists will be announced May 1.
For additional contest details, visit www.think-off.org or call the Cultural Center at 218-385-3339.
About the Great American Think-Off:
Now in its 27th year, The Great American Think-Off is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas being explored by everyday people. Designed to bring philosophy down from the ivory towers of academia and accessible for all, the contest has received national acclaim including coverage by C-SPAN, the New York Times, and The Today Show.
The Cultural Center, located in the rural farm and manufacturing town of New York Mills, Minnesota, sponsors this annual philosophy contest and encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to participate. The Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. Since our incorporation in 1990, we have been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world.
To get a better sense of the Think-Off, find details, historical information, and a list of the past 26 years of questions and winners on the event website: www.think-off.org.
