Photo by Chad Koenen
Essays are now being accepted for the 31st annual Great American Think-Off. This year’s question weighs whether defending the freedom of speech is worth the cost. The think-off will be held in New York Mills in June.

Essays are being accepted for 31st annual Great American Think-Off

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center has announced the 2024 Great American Think-Off question: “Is freedom of speech worth the cost?” All are invited to submit an essay answering this question by April 1, 2024.

For 31 years, the Great American Think-Off, based in the small rural Minnesota town of New York Mills (population 1,294) has hosted a debate competition for armchair philosophers to engage in civil discourse about life’s biggest questions.

This year, freedom of speech is the topic put forth by the Great American Think-Off committee. In gathering to select this year’s question, the committee landed on this topic given its current relevance, as well as the more timeless philosophical idea that all freedoms come with some sort of cost.

The 31st annual Think-Off question is a challenging philosophical dilemma meant to inspire thinkers from all walks of life. There are many costs to consider when it comes to engaging in freedom of speech—and for this philosophical contest, a person must choose whether or not they think those costs are worth it. For 31 years the Cultural Center has used civil discourse as a tool to publicly explore ideas and critical thinking.

Perhaps contestants believe freedom of speech should be supported at any cost as a matter of principle. Or maybe they think the possible negative effects outweigh the benefits.  Whatever a position, participants are encouraged to share their thoughts and have the chance to win $500 and become “America’s Greatest Thinker” for 2024.

The Great American Think-Off is a philosophical essay and debate competition held each year in rural New York Mills (population 1,294). The contest has received national acclaim and thousands of entries from all 50 states and more than 25 international countries throughout its 31-year history.

  People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to submit an essay of no more than 750 words for a chance to win one of four $500 cash prizes and participate in the live debate to ultimately answer the question, determined by audience vote. Entrants should take a strong stand, basing their arguments on personal experience and observations rather than philosophical abstraction.  Essays are due April 1, 2024.  There is no fee to enter, though donations are welcome to help support civil discourse.

To enter, visit www.kulcher.org/think-off/submit-your-essay/ (online submission preferred), email info@kulcher.org, or mail essay to NYMRCC, PO Box 246, New York Mills, MN 56567. Essays must be submitted electronically by midnight on April 1 or postmarked by April 1.

The four finalists will be announced on May 1, and each will receive $500 plus travel expenses, along with the chance to win the title of America’s Greatest Thinker at this year’s annual debate held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in New York Mills.

All are invited to attend the live debate and can purchase tickets online at www.thinkoff2024.bpt.me.

For additional contest details and information on the past 30 years of civil debate, visit think-off.org or call the Cultural Center at 385-3339.