Think-Off News

Watch the 2018 Great American Think-Off Here: Think-Off 2018 On Video!

The four finalists for the 2018 Great American Think-Off are (in alphabetical order): Tonya Abari of Nashville, TN; Anthony Berryhill of Austin, TX; Mark Bland of Virginia Beach, VA; and Rudy San Miguel of New Orleans, LA. Berryhill won the debate on June 9, while…

From the Great American Think-Off! Read All 10 Honorable Mention Essays Below, OR you can: Read About the Debate Here Read the 4 Finalists’ Essays Here The 5 Honorable Mentions who Said FAILURE Plays a Larger Role in One’s Life Are: Abdinasir Nourkadi, 19-Year-Old…

April 1 @ Midnight  The deadline for applications to the Arts Retreat Program at the Cultural Center is midnight on Easter, Sunday! Learn more about the retreat here: Arts Retreat And Submit your application here: Submittable April 2 Because April 1 is a holiday…

“Has the 2016 election changed our perception of truth?”
Essay deadline April 1
Finalists announced May 1
Debate Saturday, June 10

After 25 years of debating controversial philosophies, the Cultural Center is turning to the general public for question ideas for the Great American Think-Off’s 25th Anniversary in 2017. Question ideas and suggestions can be submitted to think-off@kulcher.org or…

2016 America’s Greatest Thinker Named In the 24th annual Great American Think-Off, Sam Dennison of San Francisco, California successfully argued that income inequality does indeed threaten democracy. Silver medalist Alex Liuzzi also gave a convincing argument, but the…

Sam Dennison AGREES Income Inequality Threatens Democracy Note: Sam was the winner of the 2016 debate, earning the gold medal and title of America’s Greatest Thinker. Exactly ten years ago, Sam was selected as a finalist in the 2006 Great American Think Off, arguing…

The 2016 Great American Think-Off live debate is this Saturday, June 11th at 7pm! CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS NOW! Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. (No discounts apply.) Attend the live debate and cast your vote to help select America’s Greatest Thinker,…

  The Cultural Center would like to congratulate the 2016 Great American Think-Off Honorable Mentions. The Committee chose 10 outstanding essays to acknowledge–five arguments for and five arguments against–the proposition: Income Inequality Threatens Democracy….

The Cultural Center in New York Mills proudly announces the four finalists for the 2016 Great American Think-Off! These four individuals will travel to New York Mills this June to go head-to-head in three rounds of debate to settle this year’s topic: Income Inequality…

Think-Off Finalist Marsh Muirhead interviewed by Garrison Keillor on A Prairie Home Companion live from Bemidji, November 2015 Click the link below to see Marsh Muirhead talk with Garrison Keillor about his past experiences with the Great American Think-Off,…

The 23rd Annual Great American Think-Off was held on Saturday, June 13th, 2015 at the James Mann Center for the Performing Arts in New York Mills.  The first round featured David Lapakko and David Eckel both arguing for the side of “Technology Frees Us”. Lapakko…

America’s Greatest Thinker named for 2015 The Cultural Center in New York Mills is pleased to announce that David Lapakko of Richfield, MN, asserting that Technology Frees Us, was voted America’s Greatest Thinker on Saturday, June 13th by a crowd of 300 at the New…

The Cultural Center’s Great American Think-Off committee is pleased to announce that the four finalists for the 23rd annual debate have been selected to answer this year’s question, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?”.  Arguing that technology traps us will be Paul…

Tickets available now Buy your tickets now to get seats at this year’s debate slated to begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2015.  The event will be held at the James Mann Center for the Performing Arts at the New York Mills Schools.  Cost for advance tickets…

MPR features Evan Johnson’s documentary about the Think-Off A documentary about the lost art of civil debate. Hundreds of participants from around the country submit essays answering a big philosophical question, and the finalists appear in the “Great American…

Click on the poster image to print out a 8.5 x 11 poster of the 2015 Think-Off.  Or send a link to your friends via email or on your Facebook page. Share the poster with your philosopher friends and neighbors.

Wondering about what the Think-Off is? The Great American Think-Off is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas that connect to your life at the gut level. The Cultural Center, located in the rural farm and manufacturing town of New York Mills,…

Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us? Submit your 2015 essay no later than April 1, 2015 Winners will be notified no later than May 1, 2015 The 2015 debate will be held in New York Mills on Saturday, June 13 NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. – The 2015 Great American Think-Off has…

Love motivates us more by Jennifer Nelson I couldn’t believe. I didn’t even realize I was bleeding. Adrenaline is a surprisingly strong force. As I shakily stumbled away from my demolished vehicle, I had no idea I was even injured, let alone that my injuries would be…

Enthusiastic audience chooses “America’s Greatest Thinker” Jennifer Nelson of Morris, Minnesota won the annual Great American Think-Off philosophy contest on Saturday, June 14 before an enthusiastic crowd of 375 persons in New York Mills, Minnesota. Jennifer won the…

Final four debaters for 2014 Great American Think-Off will debate on June 14th Tickets on sale at the Center (call 218-385-3339)  or online at Brown Paper Tickets (click here)   “Love or fear: which motivates us more?” will be debated at the 22nd annual Great American…

There is still time to submit your essay and participate “Love or fear:  which motivates us more?” is the 2014 question posed by the Great American Think-Off and everyone still has time to submit her or his essay (no more than 750 words) until April 15. This annual…

Love or fear:  which motivates us more? The 2014 Great American Think-OffTM releases its 22nd annual philosophy question:  “love or fear: which motivates us more?”  Submit a short essay making your best argument about this question and participate in this annual…

If you can’t make it to New York Mills to hear this year’s Think-Off, you can still listen on Lakes Radio.  Tune to KBRF 1250AM to hear the entire debate, or, you can listen via live streaming at http://www.lakesradio.net/KBRF-AM-1250/10244692 .

The 2013 Great American Think Off will be moderated by public television host, John Forde. John is the creator of ‘Mental Engineering’ a weekly program featuring professors and comedians deconstructing television commercials. Regular panelists included the creators of…

Think-Off Finalists hail from the South and from Minnesota The four finalists for the 2013 Great American Think-Off have been selected and have agreed to come to New York Mills to participate in the 21st annual debate on June 8th at 7 pm.  This year’s question is…

The debate is held at the James Mann Center for the Performing Arts at the New York Mills School.  It will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 7pm.   Tickets will go on sale on February 1st, 2013, and may be reserved now by email to info@kulcher.org.  Or, just give us a…

The 2013 Great American Think-Off question: “Which is more ethical: sticking to your principles or being willing to compromise?” The 21st annual Great American Think-Off announces its question for 2013: “Which is more ethical: sticking to your principles or being…

“The Nature of Humankind: Inherently Good or Inherently Evil?” is this year’s Great American Think-Off question, reprising the first annual Think-Off when the same question was asked and, for the only time in Think-Off history, resulted in a draw. Think-Off organizers…

Press Release New York Mills Regional Cultural Center P.O. Box 246 24 North Main Avenue New York Mills, MN 56567 (218) 385-3339 nymills@kulcher.org Contact: Jamie Robertson For Release January 1, 2012 20th Annual Great American Think-Off Question: “The Nature of…