Great American Think-Off Weekend
Cultural Center Hosts 29th Annual Armchair Philosophers’ Debate
New York Mills, MN—May 27, 2022—The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to welcome all to New York Mills, MN for the 29th annual Great American Think-Off weekend June 10-11, 2022.
The Great American Think-Off Weekend kicks off on Friday June 10 with a walking tour at 5:30 p.m. and reception honoring finalists and artists from 6 – 8 p.m. The great debate is Saturday, June 11 @ 7:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.
The Great American Think-Off debate will be held at the New York Mills School Auditorium on Saturday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following at the Cultural Center. The auditorium allows ample space for audience members to spread out safely and enjoy the civil debate in comfort. This year’s debate will be moderated by Jennifer Nelson, a research consultant for the DFL Caucus at the Minnesota House of Representatives, and the winner of the Great American Think-Off in 2014 and 2019.
During this year’s debate, the four finalists each argue their side of the question, “Which should be more important: personal choice or social responsibility?”. This year, essays came from 26 states and three international countries, and the four finalists hail from Connecticut, Minnesota, California, and Illinois. The debaters arguing that personal choice should be more important are Hunter Liguore of Everett, CT and Ronald Stewart of Coon Rapids, MN. Arguing that social responsibility should be more important are Matthew Anderson of Sunnyvale, CA and Blaine Rada of Darien, IL.
Tickets to attend the Think-Off debate are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, or $5 for students. All audience members will get to vote in the contest to decide who makes the better argument. Better argument is ultimately named America’s Greatest Thinker for 2022.
The public is also invited to the Think-Off Kick-Off on Friday, June 10, 2022 at the Cultural Center. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., enjoy a historic walking tour of downtown New York Mills, hosted by Otter Tail County Historical Society ($6 cost per person). The Center will also be hosting a Reception honoring the Think-Off Finalists and the Regional Artists currently on display in the Gallery in the “When the Work is Done” exhibit from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. During the reception, which is free to attend and open to all, enjoy the variety of regional art on display, live music by James Bzura from 6-7pm, and artist talks beginning at 7pm. Refreshments provided and cash bar available.
The Cultural Center continues to follow COVID safety guidelines. Masks are not currently required, but are available. Please stay home if ill. Refunds available if unable to attend due to illness.
For more information, call the Cultural Center at (218) 385-3339, visit the Center’s website at www.kulcher.org, or buy tickets at thinkoff2022.bpt.me.
About the Great American Think-Off:
Now in its 29th 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 make it 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 28 years of questions and winners on the event website: www.think-off.org.
