To think general knowledge quiz shows do not give a measure of intelligence, just of memorisation skills?

[pennypinchh]

I am totally rubbish at all quiz shows, trying to play along on the couch and never know anything! But I don't understand why my family say I'm not that smart just because I don't know some obscure fact about the TV show Frasier, which I've never even seen! Has anyone else been shamed because of this?

[DianaT1969]

Several skills are required in my opinion. Fast recall, being able to commit a lot of information to memory, being able to deduce answers by a process of (intelligent) elimination. Reasoning too.
Being exposed to lots of experiences, travel, film, music, literature, science and sport will broaden knowledge. Having a genuine interest in the world makes learning the facts easier. Being competitive will give you an edge.
If you don't read widely or pay interest to current affairs, culture and the world generally, then of course your scope of knowledge will be very limited.

[FudgeBrownie2019]

I don't agree OP, my DH is one of those trivia-whizz types and he's also the smartest person I've ever met. He just knows everything and can recall obscure facts instantly - he absorbs and retains new information like I absorb pasta.

[RubyViolet]

In that case isn’t retaining all knowledge just about memory ??

[BogRollBOGOF]

It's a specific type of intelligence, but not the be all and end all. I'm pretty good at that kind of knowledge. My degree was in a general subject. DH is hopeless at this kind of knowledge but is very technically minded and a specialist in a particular field. Both have their own values (his pay better though )

[devildeepbluesea]

I don't agree. Granted, people who remember lots of stuff can do well but the really good quizzers are those who use lateral thinking to solve complex questions.

For example when I was a kid I watched Blackadder. There was a quiz in school, one question was "who wrote the first dictionary?". It wasn't explicitly mentioned but I was the only kid who guessed Samuel Johnson.

Another example, which countries make up the Benelux contingent? You may not know it, but a bit of brain work and you can work it out.

[Grilledaubergines]

YABU. Knowledge is about memory.

Quizzes are supposed to be fun. If it’s as dramatic as “shaming”, it doesn’t sound like a fun thing to do in your household.

[bathorshower]

I don't enjoy quizzes where someone with access to google would definitely win.

I do enjoy Only Connect though, not least because google wouldn't help! Having said that, there's a fair fraction of the questions I still don't get after they've been explained. I won't be applying any time soon.

[saraclara]

It's a combination. If you're interested in knowledge, you'll take in and absorb random facts. Some people just don't. They don't find the world that interesting so they can hear the same things but not take them in.

But having absorbed things, not everyone can recall them. I think I'm in the group that 'know' a lot of stuff, but if you put me under pressure, though I know I know the answer, I can't 'find it' because my memeory recall is so poor.

If you gave me the same questions on a piece of paper and gave me all day to recall the answers, I'd be a quiz whizz.

[RaspberryCoulis]

Well it depends, doesn't it?

I wouldn't know anything about Frasier either as I haven't seen it. And I don't think knowing all about a particular TV show makes you smart.

But would I "shame" an adult who couldn't name the German capital or who had never heard of someone like Abraham Lincoln? I certainly wouldn't think they did much reading or had much education.

[Lovesgood]

YANBU
Its ONE type of intelligence. There are many more, so even if you are not good at this type of stuff you could be super smart in other areas.

[alphajuliet123]

I doubt they shamed you solely for the Frasier question!

I saw a quiz on tv earlier, the question was something like which Spanish town beginning with S is famous for oranges?

Contestant answered 'Scotland'.

I silently shamed he, LOADS.

[JamieLeeCurtains]

I think it helps to read a bit.

[RaspberryCoulis]

Oh yes I saw that one earlier. Presenter said "just guess any city in England" and she said "Scotland".

[pennypinchh]

Out of interest, what IS the answer to the question about Spain? xD

[sst1234]

All these quizzes are so shit, they manage to fit in about 3 questions in a man hour long episode, the rest of the time is spent pissing about with super complicated formats like team member swapping internal organs between rounds or some deep introductory discussion with contestants finding about where they went on holiday in the summer of 92.
15 to 1 was the best quiz show back in the day with actual general knowledge questions.

[chomalungma]

I saw a quiz on tv earlier, the question was something like which Spanish town beginning with S is famous for oranges

Pointless Celebrities

I saw it as well. DS and I cringed at that. It was the way that she spoke at the start about how she didn't even understand the questions.

[pennypinchh]

Maybe I'm just bitter that I come across as thick because of quiz shows, but I have a great degree and I am very knowledgeable about certain topics - but being called stupid because I don't know about a TV show just doesn't sit well with me

[chomalungma]

I love Only Connect.

I pride myself when I figure out a connection.

[pennypinchh]

Swapping internal organs between rounds?! XD

[chomalungma]

What was the Frasier question OP?
I can predict some answers
Daphne
Eddy?
Frasier Crane Day?

[pennypinchh]

I googled it and Seville came up - how the hell am I supposed to know that? I've never even been to Spain so how could that be a measure of my intelligence?

[chomalungma]

@pennypinchh

I googled it and Seville came up - how the hell am I supposed to know that? I've never even been to Spain so how could that be a measure of my intelligence?

Ever seen Seville oranges in the supermarket?

[devildeepbluesea]

The Spain answer is Seville surely?

I take the point that some people just find stuff interesting and absorb things though. I love a quiz, am quite good at them but if there's a modern film or pop music round I'm usually fucked. Modern culture doesn't really grab me. Give me 60s music or film, sport, history or geoggers and I'm your girl.

[MeringueCloud]

@pennypinchh

Out of interest, what IS the answer to the question about Spain? xD

I would say Sevilla.

[chomalungma]

A good general knowledge doesn't mean you're intelligent.

And being intelligent doesn't mean you have a good general knowledge.