In the last post, we discussed 3 fields that form the overlapping edges of presumption. That’s all good in principle, but deciphering the edge in a live round can be tricky and time-consuming. Fortunately, we have an imaginary friend to help.

Preston is a hypothetical unbiased person who is unremarkably intelligent, informed, and reasonable.

Unremarkable just means he’s not particularly high or low in it. He’s average.

Presumption applies (shorthand for “we default to the non-positive version of the belief”) if Preston might not immediately agree or disagree. It is removed when Preston has heard enough to form an opinion.

• Resolved: Preston should move to Magubustan.

• Preston: I don't know anything about Magubstan. (Presumption applied)

• Aff: Here's a picture of Magubstan.

• Preston: It's beautiful! (Presumption removed)

• Neg: That's actually a picture of Ohio.

• Preston: Then I'm back to not knowing anything about Magubustan. (Presumption reapplied)

Presumption applies to the resolution by default because it is outside common sense and common knowledge. A topical affirmative case removes presumption by giving Preston enough information to form an opinion.

Most negatives let presumption fade away and attack the affirmative case on its merits. But there is another option. After all, Preston started the round saying: “The resolution is untrue.” That’s a negative position. If the negative can get Preston back to that by convincing him that he still doesn’t know enough about the resolution to have an opinion on it, they win by default!

This creates a whole category of argument classes. In fact, you can build your entire negative strategy around presumption.

But first, we need to talk about the dreaded Burden of Proof. Stay tuned.