The Philosophy Slam
is non-profit and relies on donations and sponsors to support
its programming. The community of Lanesboro is the host of the
event for 2003. For information about sponsorship opportunities
contact us at: info@philosophyslam.org
Where
did the idea come from?
The idea behind the Kids
Philosophy Slam came from John P. Davis, who created The Great
American Think-Off in 1993. The Great American Think-Off was designed
to make philosophy accessible to the everyday person, in a fun
sports type format. The Think-Off posed a philosophical question
each year and contestants would answer the question in a 750 word
essay. 4 finalists were selected to then debate the question in
front of a live audience who voted on the winner. The Think-Off
has received national press, including The Today Show, CNN, NPR,
USA Today and the NY Times. Davis selected the question "Is honesty
always the best policy?" in 1998, and C-SPAN covered the Think-Off
live.
There have been two finalists
for the Think-Off that have been teenagers, and hundreds of entries
from kids of all ages. John Davis wanted to expand upon the idea
and create a new forum just to showcase kids philosophy. Thus,
the Kids Philosophy Slam was started.
Davis moved to the small
town of Lanesboro Minnesota in July of 2000 to be the Executive
Director of Cornucopia Art Center. The first Kids Philosophy Slam
was a tremendous success, with over 4,300 entries received from
across the nation and around the world. The 3rd annual Kids Philosophy
Slam debate will be held in Lanesboro, Minnesota on Saturday April
26th, 2003.
Previously Mr. Davis had
lived in the small town of New York Mills Minnesota, where he
founded the NY Mills Arts Retreat and Regional Cultural Center
as well as the Great American Think-Off. NY Mills has been recognized
as a national model for innovative rural arts and economic development,
and has been twice listed as one of the top 100 small art towns
in America.
Lanesboro is the official
site of the 2003 Kids Philosophy Slam, and is a small town of
758 people in Southeastern Minnesota. Lanesboro has also been
twice named as one of the top 100 small art towns in America.
For more information about
Lanesboro.
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