Should teachers who forbid students from using AI be allowed to use it to class prep or grade? Should food stamp recipients be barred from buying junk foods? Is it OK for Black Frenchmen to play traditionally White characters in The Beauty and the Beast, was it OK for Ariel to be African-American in Disney's remake of The Little Mermaid, is Miles Morales as Spider-Man an insult to Peter Parker purists? These are the sorts of cool, timely, real issues Ethics Bowlers are tackling right now, this 2025-2026 season. And they're doing it in a surprisingly sophisticated, respectful, admirable way that's elevating public discourse like nothing else. Practiced in elementary schools through retirement communities, from college classrooms to coffee shops, from Tennessee to Tasmania, Ethics Bowl is essentially gamified deliberative democracy. And the people who know it best believe it's a powerful way to rejuvenate democratic norms, curb political violence, and transform our culture. Contrary to traditional debates, “for” and “against” positions are not assigned. Instead, teams are given the freedom (and responsibility) to decide for themselves what makes the most sense on tough moral and political issues, and tasked with making a reasoned, sincere case supporting their view. There's no need for spiteful attack. There's no requirement to pretend you alone possess the perfect, unassailable truth. Agreeing is OK. Admitting error is OK. Even changing your mind is OK (gasp!). Thoughtfulness, listening, a desire to learn rather than dominate—these are the refreshingly novel norms of Ethics Bowl. While Ethics Bowl is becoming more popular every year, the world seems more divided by the day. So one purpose of Ethics Bowl to the Rescue! is to inspire existing Ethics Bowlers to become bolder champions. We possess a partial antidote to the rancor and hubris threatening the foundations of civil society. No more pretending Ethics Bowl is just another extracurricular, no better than pickleball or 4-H. That SuperSocrates character on the cover? That’s every Ethics Bowl organizer, judge, moderator, case writer, and coach. Head up, shoulders back, rescue mode engaged! My second audience—arguably my most important audience—is the traditional debate community. Debaters, you’re the reason we’re here. I think we have shared interests, I think Ethics Bowl is a better way to teach confidence and advocacy, and I think you’ll find joining us enjoyable, easy, and more consistent with what you truly want. Thank you for being open to trying Ethics Bowl. Ethics Bowl to the Rescue! is also for anyone interested in reasoned discussion, civic friendship, and mutual respect. This isn’t everyone. Experience suggests many (too many) prefer turmoil and drama. While I have great faith in humanity generally, we have to accept that some are locked in a tragic codependency with their perceived enemies. But to my fellow solution-oriented ambassadors of compassion and goodwill, my goal is to gain your nod and assent. The drama-lovers have a great deal of power and attention at the moment. But we do not have to accept the status quo. The good news is that the main thing you’ll need to do is encourage friends and neighbors to check out the Ethics Bowl way. With enough of us planting seeds, the model will ultimately sell itself. Ethics Bowl is neither a magic bullet nor a sure thing. But retreating to the shadows isn’t a responsible option, for we share the one solitary habitable planet. So join us, the thousands of organizers, coaches, judges, moderators, participants, fans, and sponsors who’ve decided this Ethics Bowl thing is worth a try. For the stakes are high and the hour is late. Yet it’s Ethics Bowl to the rescue! To learn more, visit EthicsBowl.org.