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Dumb Britain?

(80 Posts)
Greatnan Tue 27-Nov-12 15:57:31

Answers from young people who think they can win a general knowledge quiz:
Q. Which Katherine was Henry VIII's first wife.
A. Katherine Boleyn. Second A: Katherine Parr.

Q. What do you call the branch of mathematics dealing with the sides and angles of triangles.
A. Pythagoras's Theorem.

Greatnan Fri 30-Nov-12 15:28:49

I could have guessed as the put downs are so lame and she delivers them so badly.
I once went to a so-called 'live' TV chat show and the producers chose the people to make comments and we were told when to laugh or applaud. Of course, I didn't.

annodomini Fri 30-Nov-12 15:00:01

Perhaps she needs her eyes testing! Did you know every word of The Weakest Link is scripted, including the put-downs and personal observations?
I have met one of the script writers.

Greatnan Fri 30-Nov-12 14:49:27

Not only contestants - Anne Robinson has just asked which author wrote the 1880 novel Persuasion.

Ana Thu 29-Nov-12 17:51:31

Yes, Ariadne I agree, as long as they are actually acquiring some knowledge as well as the ability to access information. smile

Greatnan Thu 29-Nov-12 17:41:19

Agreed, but I don't think most people outside the Eggheads set out to accumulate lots of random knowledge - it just comes from a lifetime of wide reading , studying and discussion, and having that sort of memory.

Ariadne Thu 29-Nov-12 17:31:36

Ana just got back to this; there is a big difference between a mind full OG knowledge and a mind full of information, surely? Information is now accessible; the processing thereof, the correlating, postulating and examining is another matter altogether.

Off out on the town (!) now...wine smile

Greatnan Thu 29-Nov-12 17:24:21

The Mistress on The Chaser has just said that she is the top rated female quizzer in Britain - I don't think Daphne would like that!

Nanadog Thu 29-Nov-12 17:16:13

I won't be posting tonight as its Victorian Night and switch on of the Christmas lights in Warwick so will be out. Catch up with you later Ana

Counting you as a definite number and how about you Jeni are you in? smile

numberplease Thu 29-Nov-12 16:42:40

I used to like Daphne, but she comes across as a bit sly these days, and there`s something about Barry, not sure, but I can`t take to him, and not sure about Chris either.

annodomini Thu 29-Nov-12 16:36:51

I like Pat. He's highly knowledgeable (Mastermind champion of champions) but isn't in the least complacent about it.

Nanadog Thu 29-Nov-12 16:36:17

Not set on stone Ana just an expression of interest I know.
You can be the Team Coach lilygran ...I thought that picture was called Rudolph, see how much we learn on GN.

numberplease Thu 29-Nov-12 16:07:55

NfkDumpling, some of the eggheads seem a bit cocky, but I quite like Kevin and Judith. CJ may have gone, but now we have "Tremendous knowledge Dave", I think he looks SO smug!

Lilygran Thu 29-Nov-12 15:51:09

What is the name of the painting by Landseer which shows a stag with a backdrop of mountains? Answer: The Laughing Cavalier. 1001 Things You Should Know, Channel 4

Ana Thu 29-Nov-12 15:38:27

Nanadog - I hope you're not counting on me. confused I did say I'd watch Eggheads this evening and see what it was all about - you may need more reserves than you think!

Nanadog Thu 29-Nov-12 15:20:25

So we have four volunteers so far. Still room for another plus a reserve. Wonder if we should run this past GNHQ, as we will be representing them in a way. I'm more if an 'ask forgiveness not permission' kind of person usually.

NfkDumpling Thu 29-Nov-12 13:04:40

If I had an accessible memory I would love to volunteer for your Egghead team but as Lilygran said previously facts "either drift off into the ether or get buried under mounds of other stuff." I'll be rooting for you though, I can't stand those Eggheads!

Nanadog Wed 28-Nov-12 22:43:31

Great number smile don't worry, sure you'll be great, now we have four potentials ... Just looking for one more.

I'm off to sleep now. Will catch up on the thread tomorrow moon

numberplease Wed 28-Nov-12 22:35:10

Wouldn`t, was what I meant to say!

numberplease Wed 28-Nov-12 22:34:31

Wouldb=n`t mind having a go, but scared of showing myself up...........again!!

Nanadog Wed 28-Nov-12 22:33:16

Wonderful Ana most teams don't win, and don't expect to.
It's more a life-experience moon

Ana Wed 28-Nov-12 22:29:02

Hmm - scrub the middle three, but the others OK! I'll have a look tomorrow.

Nanadog Wed 28-Nov-12 22:27:08

BBC 2 at 6 o'clock weekdays. Mostly multiple choice, in subject categories eg Arts & Books, Politics, Science, History, Sport, TV & Films, Music. I'm totally useless on the last three but ok on most other subjects. So it's horses fir courses.

Ana Wed 28-Nov-12 22:19:30

Nanadog, I've never watched Eggheads so have no idea of the level of general knowledge required. I wouldn't want to let the side down! confused

Nanadog Wed 28-Nov-12 22:14:18

Pity greatnan but thanks for responding

Greatnan Wed 28-Nov-12 22:10:12

Not an option for me, I am afraid, as I don't live in Britain!