Growing up in England, Pico Iyer was taught that the point of a game was to win. Now, some 50 years later, he's realized that competition can be "more like an act of love." In this charming, subtly profound talk, he explores what regular games of ping-pong in his neighborhood in Japan have revealed about the riddle of winning -- and shows why not knowing who's won can feel like the ultimate victory.

Pico Iyer: What ping-pong taught me about life

What ping-pong taught me about life

In Japan, winning at ping-pong is less about the score and more about ensuring everyone feels like a victor, fostering a collective spirit.

In Japan, ping-pong epitomizes collaboration over competition, transforming games into acts of communal joy and connection.

A 1936 ping-pong match lasting over two hours symbolizes Japan's approach: the joy of participation outweighs the thrill of victory.