*This episode is adapted and edited from Pang Ying’s conversation on The Weirdo. For the complete version, visitThe Weirdo.。

A：I joined the National University of Singapore debate team as a freshman, never imagining a relationship lasting so many years. Offline tournaments introduced me to debaters from everywhere, including Zhan Qingyun.

In ordinary life I avoid conflict, so debate gave me a legitimate, respectable place to release all my aggression.Eastern culture is reserved. Outside debate, how many people directly challenge a view they reject? Debate rules legitimize confrontation, preventing politeness and restraint from drowning out disagreement.

A：I studied civil engineering and first worked in Singaporean government road planning, calculating whether nearby networks could support new malls or housing and how to modify them.

I could leave around seven, then gave evenings and weekends to debate. I coached NUS university students and a secondary-school team: two nights each from Monday to Thursday, regular practice Friday, and another half or full day each on weekends. Competition preparation consumed nearly all my time.

My work is busier now, so debate in my life has broadened beyond formal competition. It still occupies a large place, but in a wider sense.

A：Debate has many styles and dimensions.

Anyone can learn logical reasoning. Verbal expression and literary flair are harder to train, while some rely almost entirely on personal charisma, hardest of all. Zhan Qingyun has that charisma. Logic resembles an academic subject: serious study can build powerful logical thought.

A：There are hardly any; perhaps Huang Zhizhong is the only one. Some teach public speaking, but I still want to explore unfamiliar fields, though I would not rule it out forever.