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#200934 - Thu Jul 26 2007 08:09 AM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: trevor1968]
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 34639 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Because it was not on topic. This thread is about the "Americacentricity" of quizzes, your post wasn't. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#200935 - Thu Jul 26 2007 08:33 AM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: sue943]
trevor1968 Mainstay Registered: Mon Jun 11 2007 Posts: 848 Loc: Shearstown Newfoundland Canada	Ok Thank You Sue _________________________ "Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter". By Jack Benny
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#200936 - Mon Jul 30 2007 01:18 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: trevor1968]
sancho_pft Participant Registered: Mon Jul 30 2007 Posts: 7 Loc: Middlesbrough UK	My only grumble about Americacentricity is that some wholly Amercian questions do pop up in the Global challenge; maybe I'm wrong but I don't see many UK-specific questions filtering through to the Global qeustions.
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#200937 - Mon Jul 30 2007 02:14 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: sancho_pft]
DakotaNorth Forum Champion Registered: Tue Jul 10 2001 Posts: 6160 Loc: Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA	Quote: My only grumble about Americacentricity is that some wholly Amercian questions do pop up in the Global challenge; maybe I'm wrong but I don't see many UK-specific questions filtering through to the Global qeustions. I find that interesting, especially since the majority of questions in the global challenge, especially People, are UK specific. _________________________ “In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.”
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#200938 - Tue Jul 31 2007 04:53 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: DakotaNorth]
veronikkamarrz Mainstay Registered: Thu Dec 28 2006 Posts: 914 Loc: Carson City Nevada USA	I agree. A lot of quiz questions in the GC are UK based. There also seems to be way more football questions than necessary. Especially, uniform numbers, team dates, etc. _________________________ ...Be careful out there...
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#200939 - Thu Nov 15 2007 02:23 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: veronikkamarrz]
Rowena8482 Prolific Registered: Mon Mar 12 2007 Posts: 1405 Loc: Hartlepool Durham England UK	I wonder if the UK people perceive it as "America centric" and the USA people perceive it as "UK centric" because we all remember the questions we got wrong? I seem to constantly come up against USA brand names for drugs and can never remember which is which, and also some of the cooking ones, with pie crust, biscuits, cookies etc, I have to think hard to get the American one rather than the British one. I have noticed some sports questions sneaking into general lately, from mixed quizzes and they drive me mad too because I am hopeless at sport. The one in animals about "which football team are the Magpies" probably drives a LOT of people mad too - I got lucky because it's local to me, but I would think a lot of people get peeved by that one... edit to add - There are a lot of "old" questions in the GC too, especially in animals, where the questions are now not permitted in new quizzes to the category but come up time and again in GC rounds. Weights of dogs and how long they live with options very close to each other spring to mind. They are very hard to get at any speed Edited by Rowena8482 (Thu Nov 15 2007 02:25 PM) _________________________ It is better to open your eyes and say you do not understand, than to close your eyes and say you do not believe.
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#200940 - Thu Nov 15 2007 05:23 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Rowena8482]
lesley153 Mainstay Registered: Fri Sep 07 2007 Posts: 699 Loc: Bedford England UK	Good point, Rowena. These days, I check the quiz-writer's profile before I tackle a quiz, sometimes to see which spelling hat to put on, and sometimes to see which direction to point my brain in. There do seem to be a lot of quizzes about American branded medicines, and menus in American fast-food places. I'm also stumped, not only by the questions about where U.S. sportsmen went to school or college, but also by the interest in where they were educated. So while I'm scratching my head about NFL and MLB (?) statistics, or wondering why I don't know where Ian Botham and Graham Gooch went school, there are other people wondering about football and cricket, conkers and welly chucking. One thing I would like to see - and it's only a little detail, I think - is US-biased quizzes to be labelled US-biased. Most of the quizzes written by people outside the US are labelled as having a bias towards the country of origin. So far it seems to me that America is the only country not required to do so. Not so that we can back out of it, but so that we have a bit of a clue as to the answer. It would help a lot with things like music, entertainment and word games, at least. _________________________ I appreciate people who are civil, whether they mean it or not. I think: Be civil. Do not cherish your opinion over my feelings. There's a vanity to candor that isn't really worth it. Be kind. ~ Richard Greenberg
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#200941 - Thu Nov 15 2007 05:41 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: lesley153]
Leau Forum Champion Registered: Sun Jun 16 2002 Posts: 5337 Loc: Nijmegen/Brisbane	We do require authors to label their quiz if it's country specific, regardless of the country in question. Of course there are many older quizzes that were placed online when the rules weren't as strict as they are now, and they might not have been labeled. Leau, editor _________________________ The cost of living has not affected its popularity - Loesje
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#200942 - Thu Nov 15 2007 06:20 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Leau]
JuniorTheJaws Forum Champion Registered: Sun Sep 09 2001 Posts: 5400 Loc: South Philadelphia PA USA	Quote: One thing I would like to see - and it's only a little detail, I think - is US-biased quizzes to be labelled US-biased. Most of the quizzes written by people outside the US are labelled as having a bias towards the country of origin. Exactly what Leau said: Quote: We do require authors to label their quiz if it's country specific, regardless of the country in question. Of course there are many older quizzes that were placed online when the rules weren't as strict as they are now, and they might not have been labeled. Leau, editor _________________________ Agnes (JTJ) *"Whoever said, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend", never had a dog." --Anonymous*
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#200943 - Thu Nov 15 2007 07:23 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: JuniorTheJaws]
lesley153 Mainstay Registered: Fri Sep 07 2007 Posts: 699 Loc: Bedford England UK	Thank you, Leau and Agnes. I'll know next time that unlabelled quizzes are old ones. It's good to know, that the current rules apply to all the countries. _________________________ I appreciate people who are civil, whether they mean it or not. I think: Be civil. Do not cherish your opinion over my feelings. There's a vanity to candor that isn't really worth it. Be kind. ~ Richard Greenberg
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#200944 - Sat Jan 31 2009 07:38 AM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Linda1]
helenwalland Learning the ropes... Registered: Thu Jan 29 2009 Posts: 3 Loc: South Normanton Derbyshire UK	This is a very interesting thread; I do think more information could be given at the descriptive stage of a quiz. I always label my quizzes 'UK bias' because I have been frustrated by finding quizzes unlabelled. Recently I did a quiz about a British band, the question was about a song that reached the top ten but the reference was a USA chart - now how am I going to know that unless it is well sign posted? I am not always sure how much of a UK bias my quizzes have but I think people should be warned. JuniorThe Jaws can I just say 'Rosa Parkes' to you and also, over here in Great Britain, we include Wales and Scotland in Great Britain.
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#200945 - Sat Jan 31 2009 10:59 AM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: helenwalland]
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 34639 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Quote: over here in Great Britain, we include Wales and Scotland in Great Britain. We know, it is just that some of the Welsh and Scots didn't want to be lumped in with the UK, they wanted to be in their own countries. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#200946 - Wed Feb 18 2009 12:13 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: sue943]
Midget40 Multiloquent Registered: Mon Oct 27 2008 Posts: 4980 Loc: Perth Western Australia	My only real pet peeve is when they get into the GC in the numbers they do. I used to play history thinking it would be world history but after a week of getting 13 or more US based questions (I started writing them down) I had to give the catagory up. But the worst is Geography. It's one of my favourite subjects - US included but I kept getting multiple questions on US state flowers and coins and the like (I cant remember them all now) To me geography is about cities and rivers and countries and their geographical features. I couldn't name all the capital cities of the US states but I agree that that's a geography question. I just feel it's a bit of an uneven playing field when so many get into the competition quiz's like the GC and KO.
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#200947 - Wed Feb 18 2009 12:43 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Midget40]
Schoonie101 Prolific Registered: Sun Jun 24 2007 Posts: 1172 Loc: California USA	Oh, it gets drastically made up for in the Who Am I? game which is extremely UK-centric. Not many Australians in that game, though, do have to admit that. _________________________ "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." - William Blake
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#200948 - Wed Feb 18 2009 01:11 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Schoonie101]
Mink Forum Adept Registered: Fri Jul 13 2007 Posts: 150 Loc: Devon UK	I have to say that I don't agree that Who Am I? is UK-centric. The choices are often nearly all non-UK people even when the answer IS a UK person so it should be easy to eliminate the ones you do know. In my experience there are plenty of US people in there too, though I would agree that there are fewer people from all other countries included. If you want more non UK/US etc then send in suggestions!
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#200949 - Wed Feb 18 2009 01:19 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Mink]
Schoonie101 Prolific Registered: Sun Jun 24 2007 Posts: 1172 Loc: California USA	Yeah, but the US people are generally people like Tiger Woods, Robert DeNiro, and Ronald Reagan. As opposed to some random MP, cricket/soccer player, or broadcaster from the 40s. Generally, I've found that UK people make up about 8-9 out of the 15. Are suggestions currently open for submittal? I thought that was closed out for the time being. _________________________ "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." - William Blake
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#200950 - Wed Feb 18 2009 01:43 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Schoonie101]
supersal1 Mainstay Registered: Sat Jul 17 2004 Posts: 676 Loc: Essex UK	Isn't jmelston in charge of that one? Perhaps you could PM him and see. It was open for a while for people to submit on the chatboards, but not that many people took up the offer. Such additions as were offered were added pretty much immediately. However, the advice to those who mention the americacentricity of quizzes has always been to go and make your own. I've created quite a few. Some, but by no means all, have a UK slant. However, the majority are from 2006 onwards. Until recently, there hasn't been a shake up in the question pools for around two years. Obviously, I don't make quizzes just to get them in the tournaments, but anyone who did so would be sorely disappointed. Anyhoo, I don't see how one game makes up for the globals and all the other hourlies! Just a thought, but do Americans all know all 50 state mammals, birds, gemstones, cooking pots, etc?
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#200951 - Wed Feb 18 2009 05:31 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: supersal1]
CellarDoor Multiloquent Registered: Sat Feb 12 2000 Posts: 4810 Loc: Seattle Washington USA	Quote: Just a thought, but do Americans all know all 50 state mammals, birds, gemstones, cooking pots, etc? I certainly don't -- most of those are as hard for me (lived in the U.S. all my life) as they are for you! There are a couple of states that have sort of famous State Whatevers, especially songs, and I know a fair number of state mottos and nicknames because the state often puts them on license plates, so you get reminded of them on the roads. But the official state coin, insect, flower and whatever-the-heck-else? I don't think there are very many who keep track, and I couldn't name any of them for my own state. _________________________ Just because there's twilight doesn't mean we can't tell the difference between night and day
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#200952 - Wed Feb 18 2009 05:45 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: supersal1]
Schoonie101 Prolific Registered: Sun Jun 24 2007 Posts: 1172 Loc: California USA	Quote: Isn't jmelston in charge of that one? Perhaps you could PM him and see. It was open for a while for people to submit on the chatboards, but not that many people took up the offer. Such additions as were offered were added pretty much immediately. However, the advice to those who mention the americacentricity of quizzes has always been to go and make your own. I've created quite a few. Some, but by no means all, have a UK slant. However, the majority are from 2006 onwards. Until recently, there hasn't been a shake up in the question pools for around two years. Obviously, I don't make quizzes just to get them in the tournaments, but anyone who did so would be sorely disappointed. Anyhoo, I don't see how one game makes up for the globals and all the other hourlies! Just a thought, but do Americans all know all 50 state mammals, birds, gemstones, cooking pots, etc? Thanks. Actually, I think the general quizzes are fine. I can't say I've really run into a major skew on the Global Challenge, even on the Geography. They're ALL hard! Know 50 state mammals, etc.? Not me. Outside of California, I do know that Idaho likes potatoes but beyond that? Sheesh - not a chance! _________________________ "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." - William Blake
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#200953 - Wed Feb 18 2009 05:45 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: CellarDoor]
Jabberwok Enthusiast Registered: Tue Jun 24 2008 Posts: 387 Loc: Sussex England UK	I'm puzzled by the state drinks being mostly innocuous liquids such as milk. Or lemonade. It somehow doesn't seem very honest when I know you must have as many varieties of home brew and wines as we do over here. _________________________ 'The United Kingdom. Slightly smaller than Oregon' CIA World Factbook
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#200954 - Wed Feb 18 2009 06:10 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Jabberwok]
Schoonie101 Prolific Registered: Sun Jun 24 2007 Posts: 1172 Loc: California USA	Quote: I'm puzzled by the state drinks being mostly innocuous liquids such as milk. Or lemonade. It somehow doesn't seem very honest when I know you must have as many varieties of home brew and wines as we do over here. You're not the only one! Wisconsin state beverage being milk? Hmm. I've wondered about that. Granted, Mickeys is probably the best beer that comes out of that state (Milwaukee's Best aka BEAST is not much in the way of competition) but that place is brewery central. Then again, what do I know? _________________________ "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." - William Blake
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#200955 - Wed Feb 18 2009 06:31 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Schoonie101]
guitargoddess Champion Poster Registered: Mon Jul 09 2007 Posts: 29656 Loc: Ottawa Ontario Canada	Milk as Wisconsin's state beverage makes sense to me.. isn't that like The Dairy State or something? They've got a lot of cows.. and they're Cheeseheads, so milk isn't that puzzling. _________________________ Editor: Television and Animals
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#200956 - Wed Feb 18 2009 06:45 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: guitargoddess]
Schoonie101 Prolific Registered: Sun Jun 24 2007 Posts: 1172 Loc: California USA	True true. But I'd bet more beer gets consumed there than milk! _________________________ "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." - William Blake
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#200957 - Wed Feb 18 2009 09:42 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: CellarDoor]
shuehorn Multiloquent Registered: Tue Jul 04 2006 Posts: 2935 Loc: Lawrenceville Georgia USA	Quote: Quote: Just a thought, but do Americans all know all 50 state mammals, birds, gemstones, cooking pots, etc? I certainly don't -- most of those are as hard for me (lived in the U.S. all my life) as they are for you! There are a couple of states that have sort of famous State Whatevers, especially songs, and I know a fair number of state mottos and nicknames because the state often puts them on license plates, so you get reminded of them on the roads. But the official state coin, insect, flower and whatever-the-heck-else? I don't think there are very many who keep track, and I couldn't name any of them for my own state. Very well stated. I have no idea of the majority of these, and I guess (usually not very well) when they come up... Sue _________________________ Sue (shuehorn)
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#200958 - Thu Feb 19 2009 05:41 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: shuehorn]
Quiz_Beagle Mainstay Registered: Thu Jan 04 2007 Posts: 949 Loc: Gloucestershire UK	Well, as to milk and Wisconsin - obviously I've learned the answer since, but the first time I saw the question, all I thought of was "What made Milwaukee famous, made a loser out of me" - and that wasn't milk! _________________________ Only Happy Beagles do the Happy Beagle Dance!
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#200959 - Thu Feb 19 2009 06:11 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Quiz_Beagle]
Jabberwok Enthusiast Registered: Tue Jun 24 2008 Posts: 387 Loc: Sussex England UK	Yes, but... http://www.netstate.com/states/tables/state_beverages.htm only one state owning up to an alcoholic state drink? Well done Alabama! _________________________ 'The United Kingdom. Slightly smaller than Oregon' CIA World Factbook
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#200960 - Thu Feb 19 2009 06:23 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: Jabberwok]
guitargoddess Champion Poster Registered: Mon Jul 09 2007 Posts: 29656 Loc: Ottawa Ontario Canada	Quote: Yes, but... http://www.netstate.com/states/tables/state_beverages.htm only one state owning up to an alcoholic state drink? Well done Alabama! Milk is pretty over-represented.. don't you Americans drink anything else? _________________________ Editor: Television and Animals
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#200961 - Thu Feb 19 2009 09:08 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: guitargoddess]
darthrevan89 Mainstay Registered: Tue May 13 2008 Posts: 760 Loc: Texas USA	Quote: Milk is pretty over-represented.. don't you Americans drink anything else? I've never even heard of such a thing as State Beverage before...but I'm in complete agreement, what's up with all the milk?! This is more to my taste, I didn't realize it was tied to my state, but I do love Dr. Pepper. http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/national_drink_of_texas_dr_pepper/
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#200962 - Thu Feb 19 2009 10:37 PM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: darthrevan89]
wdstk Prolific Registered: Fri May 02 2008 Posts: 1474 Loc: Woodstock Illinois USA	Kentucky has milk instead of bourbon? Jack Daniels distillery must be crushed. As you see, Americans aren't at an advantage. I know my state stuff and I usually guess wrong at the others. I also don't know any sports on all the continents.
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#200963 - Fri Feb 20 2009 03:22 AM Re: "Americacentricity" of quizzes [Re: wdstk]
Midget40 Multiloquent Registered: Mon Oct 27 2008 Posts: 4980 Loc: Perth Western Australia	Maybe the question should be - Why are they included in the geography quizzes then? or does geography itself have a different slant meaning in different countries (thats a serious question by the way). As I stated previously my understanding of geography is the geographical features of a place - towns, rivers, mountains, climate etc Re the "Who Am I?" From an impartial non UK/US based player I would say they were fairly even in representation of questions. My brain switches back and forth from 'US' to 'UK'. If you belong to one of those countries I think you only notice the ones that AREN'T from your coutry rather than the ones that are.
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