What Ping-Pong Taught Me About Life | Pico Iyer | TED

The Joy of Ping-Pong in Japan

In this section, the speaker talks about his experience playing ping-pong in Japan and the unique approach to the game.

Ping-Pong as a Competitive Spirit without Competition

• In Japan, the speaker goes to his local health club every other night to play ping-pong.

• Players practice forehands and backhands on limited space tables.

• Partners are chosen by lots and doubles games are played.

• Winning is not emphasized, and partners change every five minutes.

• Not knowing who has won feels like the ultimate victory.

Ping-Pong Diplomacy and its Impact

• Ping-pong played a role in improving relations between countries.

• In 1972, an American ping-pong team visited Communist China, leading to improved relations.

• Mao Zedong considered ping-pong a "spiritual nuclear weapon."

• Richard Nixon was made an honorary lifelong member of the US Table Tennis Association for his involvement in ping-pong diplomacy.

The History of Ping-Pong

• Ping-Pong was believed to be invented by high-class Brits during Victorian times as a post-dinner activity using wine corks.

• By World War I, players from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire dominated the sport.

• Eastern Europeans became skilled at returning shots, almost bringing the sport to a standstill.

Changes in Rules and Japanese Influence

• After a point lasting two hours and 12 minutes, rules were changed so that no game could last longer than 20 minutes.

Hiroji Satoh's Impact on Japanese Postwar Resurgence

• Hiroji Satoh, armed with a paddle covered with thick spongy rubber foam, won a gold medal at the world championships in Bombay in 1952.

• His victory sparked one million people to celebrate in the streets of Tokyo, symbolizing Japan's postwar resurgence.

The Inner Sport of Global Domination

• In the speaker's regular games in Japan, the focus is on making everyone feel like winners.

• Doubles games are played, and partners change every five minutes.

• Often, there is no loser at all due to playing best-of-two sets.

• The point of the game is to create a sense of unity and involvement among players.

The transcript provided does not include timestamps for some sections.

The Challenge of Winning and Losing

In this section, the speaker reflects on their initial perception of winning and losing in sports and how it affected their enjoyment. They also discuss the difference in emotional response between playing with different partners and the cultural differences in Japan regarding ties in baseball games.

Initial Perception of Winning and Losing

• At first, the speaker felt that focusing on winning or losing took away the fun from sports.

• They couldn't fully celebrate victories against strong opponents because they would soon face new challenges.

• However, they never felt disconsolate despite facing setbacks.

Cultural Differences in Japan

• When playing singles with an English archrival, the speaker noticed that defeats left them brokenhearted.

• Victories didn't bring satisfaction either as they knew there was only one way to go - down.

• In Japan, tie games are accepted in baseball if the score remains level after four hours.

• Teams with more ties can finish ahead of teams with more victories due to league standings being based on winning percentage.

Frustration in Japanese Culture

• The speaker mentions Bobby Valentine, an American brought over to lead a professional Japanese baseball team. Despite leading a mediocre squad to a second-place finish, he was fired because his emphasis was on winning.

• Official Japan can feel frustrating when playing not to lose takes away imagination and excitement.

The Joy of Playing Doubles

In this section, the speaker discusses their experience playing doubles in Japan and how it relieves anxiety. They also highlight the importance of teamwork and collaboration compared to individual pursuits.

Teamwork in Doubles

• Playing doubles in Japan alleviates anxiety for the speaker.

• At the end of each evening, everyone leaves with equal delight.

• Choirs are used as an analogy for teamwork where each member plays their part perfectly to create a beautiful harmony.

Seeing the Larger Picture

• The opposite of winning is not losing but failing to see the larger picture.

• Events in life cannot be properly assessed until years after they unfold.

• The speaker shares a personal experience of losing everything in a wildfire, which eventually allowed them to live more gently and pursue new opportunities.

The Value of Participation

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of participation and taking part rather than focusing solely on winning or losing. They also mention the positive effects of ping-pong on mental health.

Importance of Participation

• The best way to win any game, according to Japan, is never thinking about the score.

• Taking part and participating are crucial, regardless of being a winner or loser.

• Chinese universities offer degrees in ping-pong due to its significance.

Ping-Pong's Impact on Mental Health

• Researchers have found that ping-pong can help with mild mental disorders and even autism.

The Long-Term Perspective

In this section, the speaker reflects on how it takes time to determine winners and losers. They share an anecdote from history that highlights the unpredictability of outcomes.

Uncertainty in Determining Winners and Losers

• Watching the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, it becomes evident that determining winners and losers may take a long time.

• An example is given where one player from an epic match ended up in concentration camps years later but survived because a guard recognized them from their ping-pong playing days.

The Significance of Participation

• It didn't matter if someone won or lost; what saved them was their participation.

Conclusion: Focus on Enjoyment

In this concluding section, the speaker reiterates that focusing solely on winning or losing can hinder the enjoyment of sports and life. They emphasize the importance of embracing the process and finding joy in participation.

Embracing Enjoyment

• The speaker concludes that Japan teaches them every other night that the best way to win any game is never to think about the score.

• Not getting ahead doesn't mean falling behind, just as not being lively isn't the same as being dead.

• The speaker encourages a focus on enjoyment rather than fixating on winning or losing.