2008 Woodie Awards
To Pop Or Not To Pop: That Is The Question
Debra Charney
Issue date: 9/9/05 Section: Arts & Features
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When walking around Colgate's campus, it's common to see many students sporting polo shirts of all varieties, brands and colors. Yet there seems to be controversy as to how these popular polo shirts should be worn - collar up or collar down? Colgate's Debate Society addressed this very issue on Monday in its first debate of the year, a humorous showpiece debate entitled "Popped Collars: To Pop or Not to Pop."
Sophomore Rob Sobelman was the first debater to speak. Sobelman argued in favor of popped collars, using his five minutes on the stand to present arguments relating to fashion and the socioeconomic benefits of popped collars.
According to Sobelman, "being cool is paramount in your existence." And to be cool, intuits Sobelman, a popped collar is simply a necessity. As popped collars are a current fashion trend, many associate them with popularity and an increase in social status. "And who doesn't want more friends, more sex and more significant others?" Sobelman, with a hint of dry humor, asked the audience of Colgate students, some of whom were sporting popped collars themselves.
Additionally, Sobelman equated the popped collar with success not only socially, but financially as well: "Everyone needs a piece of the pie, and you will get a bigger one if you pop your collar!" he said.
Debate Coordinator Miranda Weigler followed up Sobelman's speech with a tongue-and-cheek, fast-paced speech of her own. Weigler strongly opposed the popping of one's collar, and said that he who pops his collar is focusing excessively on image and disregarding what college is really about. "People didn't come to Colgate because they had collars and could put them up or down. We're here for an education!" Weigler stated.
She pointed out that the two-tier system of those with popped collars and those without is actually inadequate, for that does not include those who dare to forgo the collar entirely. Following looks of disbelief from popped collar advocates, Weigler ended by suggesting that perhaps the real reason people pop their collars has to do with something entirely different than fashion, that they are "making up for certain types of insecurities!"
Sophomore Rob Sobelman was the first debater to speak. Sobelman argued in favor of popped collars, using his five minutes on the stand to present arguments relating to fashion and the socioeconomic benefits of popped collars.
According to Sobelman, "being cool is paramount in your existence." And to be cool, intuits Sobelman, a popped collar is simply a necessity. As popped collars are a current fashion trend, many associate them with popularity and an increase in social status. "And who doesn't want more friends, more sex and more significant others?" Sobelman, with a hint of dry humor, asked the audience of Colgate students, some of whom were sporting popped collars themselves.
Additionally, Sobelman equated the popped collar with success not only socially, but financially as well: "Everyone needs a piece of the pie, and you will get a bigger one if you pop your collar!" he said.
Debate Coordinator Miranda Weigler followed up Sobelman's speech with a tongue-and-cheek, fast-paced speech of her own. Weigler strongly opposed the popping of one's collar, and said that he who pops his collar is focusing excessively on image and disregarding what college is really about. "People didn't come to Colgate because they had collars and could put them up or down. We're here for an education!" Weigler stated.
She pointed out that the two-tier system of those with popped collars and those without is actually inadequate, for that does not include those who dare to forgo the collar entirely. Following looks of disbelief from popped collar advocates, Weigler ended by suggesting that perhaps the real reason people pop their collars has to do with something entirely different than fashion, that they are "making up for certain types of insecurities!"