Hello, I’m Pang Ying. Welcome to the Q&A for Episode 22 of Think Like a Debater.

A：This was a historic match in the 2003 International Varsity Debate: Melbourne University versus Shih Hsin University. Huang Zhizhong closed for Shih Hsin. To me, it was his dramatic arrival and the creation of a new style.

Listen to part of his opposition speech: advertising does not benefit mass consumption.

‘What is the relationship between consumers and manufacturers? Manufacturers want to sell, sell, sell, while consumers buy, buy, buy. They want the money in our pockets. If a product is good, they show it as good; if it is less good, they show it as better. That is natural and I do not blame them, but we must warn consumers. We do not blame a plaintiff, but we remind the defendant. That is the simple relationship here.’

‘The other side says advertising draws buyers and lowers costs. But there should not have been advertising costs at all. Why does a phone advertisement show Maggie Cheung, Gong Li, or Brad Pitt larger than the phone? Is that merely product information? I am buying neither Pitt nor Cheung. Advertising stimulates desire: you are not handsome, beautiful, your son is unhappy, your life unfulfilled—buy this and you will be happy!’

‘So we overconsume. Once credit cards let people spend tomorrow’s money today, they keep borrowing. American households carry large consumer debts. Homes grew 1.5 times over thirty years and filled with useless things. How does the other side explain that?’

‘We do not seek to abolish advertising or oppose business. We merely warn everyone to be cautious with a matchmaker’s promises or an applicant’s script. That is all. Thank you.’

How did that feel? Were you drawn in?

Why call Huang’s style new? In simplified terms:many excellent debaters speak to the audience’s mind; Huang speaks to its heart.

Hu Jianbiao represents speaking to the mind. His closing speeches cut and summarize layer by layer.