Re: Documentary

yep12002 <*no_reply_at_yahoogroups.com*> · Thu, 23 Oct 2003 18:14:07 -0000

Well, thank you for bringing to my attention these documentary 
efforts.  A fvew thoughts follow on what you are describing as lack 
of cooperation.  Of course people in the world of quiz bowl take 
themselves too seriously.  I would say that is one of the defining 
textured charachteristics of certain factions of the quiz bowl 
community.  It is interesting, sad, funny, and inspiring all at the 
same time to see people whose personal idea of self worth is their 
ability at this game.  I truly believe that information recall like 
any other skill be it golf or football or playing quarters at a bar 
is something that people self-select into based on the realization 
that they are better than average at the game.  Over time, the 
ability to recall information is self developed because you often 
begin to learn things in a way that frames it in your brain for later 
recall because quiz bowl requires this ability, and you adapt to 
fulfill it. There are people in the world who are very good if not 
excellent at developing their innate ability to instantly recall 
information.  I do not believe this makes them smarter, but for some 
it is something they excell at which differentiates them from people 
who can play poker well or dance, socialize with others or anything 
else.  I get it, everyone else gets it if your good that you have 
this skill.  However, do not expect that travelling around being 
insular and winning bar tab trivia nights, open masters tournaments, 
and beating everyone in your extended family at Trivial Pursuit will 
make you a better person, well liked or even respected.  I think this 
cognitive dissonance between some people's self perception and the 
outside reality of how they are perceived is frustrating and leads to 
a lot of the secrecy and insular lack of cooperation etc.  As usual I 
quote D. Miller " Of course this is just my opinion, I could be 
wrong."  

--- In quizbowl_at_yahoogroups.com, afgmedallion <no_reply_at_y...> wrote:
> A friend of mine told me about this post, and thought I should 
> reply. 
> 
> My brother and his crew tried to make a professional documentary a 
> couple of years ago.  While most were very welcoming and 
> cooperative, a small but important faction would not cooperate.  
> They originally wanted to document the national competition for one 
> of the major formats, but were rebuffed.  Failing that, they were 
> welcomed with open arms by Charlie Steinhice and UTC to film a 
> tournament there.  Unfortunately, two members of the group that did 
> not want to be filmed were the only two people who would not agree 
> to participate.  Since those two people made the finals, my 
> brother's crew could not film the championship--so they could not 
> get enough for a complete documentary.  I think it's a shame, 
> because it would make a great documentary, and from the footage 
I've 
> seen, they did a wonderful job in filming.
> 
> It's too bad one group didn't want to participate.  I really think 
> they take themselves too seriously.  I'm reminded by them of clubs 
> we used to have on the playground during recess, with secret 
> meetings and announcements.  What I find most perplexing though, is 
> what another friend pointed out to me, that this group is now 
asking 
> others for help in publicizing their events and bringing their 
> format tho the attention of others outside the regular quizbowl 
> community.  Well, we tried.
> 
> For those who continue to ask and show interest, the documentary 
may 
> still happen.  If my brother and his crew can get some needed 
> footage to complete it, they may still do so.  I really hope they 
> can and do because from what I've seen, I know we all would enjoy 
> it.  I want to again thank all the people who so graciously have 
> cooperated thus far, in being filmed playing and being 
interviewed.  
> I especially want to thank Charlie Steinhice again.  
> 
> If they are able to complete the documentary, I will be sure to let 
> you know.
> 
> Mark Franklin
> 
> --- In quizbowl_at_yahoogroups.com, yep12002 <no_reply_at_y...> wrote:
> > I have 
> > also thought that all of these posts and the quiz bowl world are 
> > begging for the type of documentary that made films like Hoop 
> Dreams, 
> > Paris is Burning, and The Color of Money such textured 
> observations 
> > on American subcultures.  An NCAA affiliation would certainly 
> > mainstream and legitimize the quizbowl world, and make such a 
> > documentary the fodder for some lame show like HBO Real Sports 
> etc.