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Well, I am not 100 percent sure of the definition of polemic, but it wasn't meant to convince anybody of anything.

I'm a better polemicist in prose.

I don't always feel comfortable being outwardly aggressive.

When I was younger, I was very vocal to the point of being strident in my views.

I had no doubts I could go to the pole. I may not be as strong, but I make up for physical strength in other areas, like steadiness and not panicking under stress.

People say I'm shrill and strident.

I'm not naturally manipulative.

I'm not particularly good at running things when once they get to a certain level. Once it gets routine, get me out of the way.

There's something about being afraid, about being small, about enforced humility that draws me to climbing.

This may come as a surprise, given the nature of my job, but I am very guarded and contemplative. I'm not a naturally boisterous person.