Final Four Selected for 2026 Great American Think-Off Debate
As the United States begins preparations for its 250th anniversary, four thinkers will travel to the small, rural Minnesota town of New York Mills this June to debate the 2026 question posed by the Great American Think-Off:
“Has the Pursuit of Happiness Made Americans Unhappy?”
The right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” was enshrined in the U.S. Declaration of Independence as a foundational ideal. From the nation’s earliest days to modern definitions of success and well-being, Americans have long been driven by the promise of happiness. But the Great American Think-Off asks: does actively chasing happiness lead to comparison, stress, and disappointment—or does the pursuit of joy, purpose, and meaning strengthen individuals, communities, and democracy itself?
The contest provides a platform for everyday people to engage with profound questions and participate in meaningful civil discourse. Four finalists were selected from essays submitted from across the country and around the world:
Arguing YES — that the pursuit of happiness has made Americans unhappy:
- Solape Adeyemi (Lagos, Nigeria)
- Thaddeus McCamant (Frazee, MN)
Arguing NO — that the pursuit of happiness has not made Americans unhappy:
- Lorie Kolak (Riverside, IL)
- Allen Taylor (Colorado Springs, CO)
The finalists will gather in New York Mills for the live debate on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the New York Mills School Auditorium. Audience members vote in three rounds to determine who will be crowned America’s Greatest Thinker for 2026.
Each finalist receives a $500 cash prize, travel reimbursement, and lodging at a local bed and breakfast. They also earn a bronze, silver, or gold medal featuring the Think-Off’s iconic logo: Rodin’s Thinker perched atop a tractor.
The Think-Off draws a diverse and enthusiastic audience, many of whom turn the event into a weekend getaway in scenic Minnesota lakes country (https://ottertaillakescountry.com/).
Event Details
Philosophers & Artists Reception
Friday, June 12 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | 7:00 Finalist Introductions & Artist Talks
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center
Free and open to the public | Food truck and cash bar available
Live Debate
Saturday, June 13 | 7:00 p.m. | Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
New York Mills School Auditorium
Tickets: $15 advance / $20 at the door / $5 students
A reception honoring the finalists will be held at the Cultural Center immediately following the debate. All are welcome.
Meet the Finalists
Solape Adeyemi (Lagos, Nigeria) argues that the pursuit of happiness has made Americans unhappy.
A researcher and consultant with degrees in Microbiology and Environmental Management, Adeyemi is also an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in more than 30 journals and publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Kalahari Review. Her wide-ranging creative and professional pursuits reflect a deep curiosity about the world and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Lorie Kolak (Riverside, IL) argues that the pursuit of happiness has not made Americans unhappy.
Kolak is a writer whose work has appeared in Wildfire, Hemingway Shorts, and Bellevue Literary Review. She is a 2026 Moth StorySLAM winner and an active participant in writing groups and book clubs. She enjoys camping, gardening, and running, and lives with her husband and three children.
Thaddeus McCamant (Frazee, MN) argues that the pursuit of happiness has made Americans unhappy.
McCamant holds a PhD in Plant Sciences from Washington State University and has spent decades working in agriculture, education, and consulting. He has worked with farms in the U.S. and Senegal and currently supports direct-market producers across Minnesota. He is also an author of agricultural guidebooks and articles and recently began working with immigrant gardeners in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Allen Taylor (Colorado Springs, CO) argues that the pursuit of happiness has not made Americans unhappy.
A lifelong debater and 2023 Think-Off finalist, Taylor has engaged in discussion across settings ranging from formal debate to conversations on the road during his career in trucking. He enjoys lively exchanges with family and friends—and notes that his dog always agrees with him.
To learn more about the contest and finalists, visit: think-off.org.
About the Great American Think-Off:
Now in its 33rd year, the Great American Think-Off is a one-of-a-kind philosophy contest where ordinary people tackle extraordinary questions. Created to make philosophy accessible to all, the Think-Off fosters thoughtful, respectful public debate. It has been featured by C-SPAN, The New York Times, The Today Show, and other national media.
The event is produced by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. Since 1990, the Center has connected people with artists and cultural experiences in rural Minnesota—celebrating the local while offering a window to the world.
The 2026 Think-Off is supported in part by the Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation and additional regional arts funding partners.
