Grandstanding (A sidebar)

• From: Durham_Devil
• Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 14:52:08 -0800
• Message-ID: <000T6UN4O.001FC1RQG.12170551-quizbowl_at_...>

Matt Weiner asks:

Is it the place of the
writer or editor to eliminate "grandstanding" or delay
of the game by intentionally creating the risk of a
correct answer being ruled incorrect, by not listing
it?

Well, in the case of chemicals for pharmaceuticals, the
"fast" way around that is to begin by listing it as the
first clue. For example, starting a question:


"Also known as 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene..." 

May be
annoying to non-scientists, but it eliminates any
possibility of troube. (Sorry for using such an easy example:
it was the first one off the top of my
head.)

In this case, I think the term "grandstanding" is a
little strong; usually, teammates are the ones who will
know the buzzer's true intentions, and will tell him
in no uncertain terms. Delay of game on a tossup
should not be a problem. That's what bonuses are for.
:)

Hopefully, common sense will prevail, not only on the
player's end, but the moderator's and editor's. An
experienced editor will look for alternate answers and, if he
dislikes their use, will eliminate their possibility.
Furthermore, the player must figure out not to use an arcane
name to replace one that the moderator is likely to
accept point-blank (all those who insist on giving the
title of a foreign book in the original, I'm lookin' at
you, here). In the end, we can reduce the nitpicking
on everyone's side and get back to the original
purpose at hand: enjoying the game.

Andy Goss