Emmet wrote: "<< In other words ... people took this very seriously. >> And so they should. but now, most people don't. Though we have quite an illustrious history as an activity...it's quite depressing how quizbowl has changed in the public view. Back in the glory days of GE CB, quizbowl was applauded as an honourable contest between a given school's elite students. Now, it is universally derided as a geek activity (see the unfortunately hilarious UMCP zine's take at <a href=http://io.spaceports.com/~cownip/maqt.html target=new>http://io.spaceports.com/~cownip/maqt.html</a> )" I agree. And the problem is not just with academic competition. On the Today Show a week or so ago, Couric and Lauer both derided two students who had scored perfect SAT's as "Braniacs." (Twice. Both Couric and Lauer couldn't wait to get the label out.) Look in nearly any type of popular journalism, and you'll see people who study a subject in-depth labelled as "wonks." And, as Emmet points out, those people on the quiz bowl team are considered a bunch of "geeks." These are symptoms, IMO, of a pervasive anti-intellectual bent curently on the rise in American culture. Nearly any person who excels at an activity associated with learning, intelligence, study, or gaining a depth of knowledge is given a derogatory label and dismissed. I see it all the time in the high schools I'm working in. Many students don't want to study or get good grades - it's not cool. Yes, Emmet, it is depressing. Tom
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