The conference format reflected its academic (not policy) imperatives. A presenter summarized his or her paper. A designated commentator posed sharp questions. The presenter responded and then the floor was opened to the other participants, who posed their own sharp questions to both the presenter and the commentator. The exchanges were swift and spirited. The room took on some of the aspects of an athletic competition — parry, thrust, soft balls, hard balls, palpable hits, ingenious defenses and a series of “well dones” said by everyone to everyone else at the end of each round.