We've been having our monthly debate in our debate program classes, and the topic is "Is money more important than passion in choosing a career?" The kids seem particularly engaged in this topic, and fairly equally divided on both sides (unlike some earlier topics) – this makes for good debate. I've heard some excellent and creative arguments, especially from the "passion" side. The best emerged today during a one-on-one discussion with a student (a sort of after-the-fact interview to help them learn to get more out of and put more into the debate next time). She said: "Money can't make passion, but passion can make money."
"That's brilliant!" I effused. "Where did you come up with that idea? Why didn't you use it during the debate?" She shrugged and said she forgot it during the debate. And she admitted it was her mother's idea. Still… at the least, she did a great job translating it into idiomatic English, as her mother had apparently conceived the idea in Korean.