These past couple of weeks i taped, then watched the Jeopardy Masters series on television. Boy, was i impressed with the six contestants. Combined together, they knew all the questions--rarely ever being stumped.
Last night i watched the two-game final and the person who won really did deserve to win the series contest, although he did have to come from behind on the final Jeopardy question. How would i have fared in the contest? Not very well, i must say. Jeopardy is the last program in the world that you would every see me on. I would not put myself through the embarrassment. My strategy would be to never push the buzzer on anything other than first row answers, and then it would be unlikely that i would buzz in first--my mind just does not work that fast. I am more of a contemplator than a knowledge guru.
Of the 120 answers that required a question (not counting the two final jeopardy answers), i got one that the contestants did not get--otherwise i would have scored zero. Regarding that one answer, Jeopardy put up a picture of Nat King Cole and none of contestants knew who he was. I had an age advantage.
On a typical Jeopardy show, i think i could get somewhere between 20 - 40% right, if i was given a test and could take as long as i needed to answer them. In the timespan that Jeopardy allows, i would probably be somewhere in the 0 - 20% range (depending upon the categories). On Jeopardy Masters you can cut those numbers in half.
Just the same, there were no real losers on Jeopardy Masters. Every person that participated seemed like they were very good people and not just eggheads. I was impressed with the entire lot. You could tell that all six people that fought for the title, respected each other--there was a lot of friendly repartee between all of them.
Anyway, while i was watching, i began to think about the difference between "knowledge" and "understanding". Jeopardy tests for "knowledge" and not necessarily for "understanding". I am sure the Masters all have a lot of "understanding", but "knowledge" is the key to their success.
And "understanding", not knowledge is the key to "enlightenment". In some cases, "knowledge" is just extra baggage.
---------
I see that we are "inching" forward on a solution to our "unique" debt ceiling problem. Crazy, isn't it? I did listen to a guest speaker yesterday on CNBC who really explained the situation extremely well. I was comforted with his insight, which supported my own thinking on the subject.
The U.S. is the number one economic power in the world. It would be an unnecessary unforced error on our part to default on our debt payment responsibilities. It's serious, but silly that we even put ourselves in this position. What the hell is the "budget cycle" for, but to figure out revenue and expense flows?
------
Speaking about unforced errors, what's the deal with DeSantis. He seems to be the King of the Court when it comes to unforced errors.
------
Oh, and the democrats. I saw this morning that they think Biden needs to get more involved in the "debt ceiling" issue. Really? From my perspective Biden has been quite involved on this issue. Now he might not agree with his fellow Democratic congressman on every little point, but that is why he is the President and they are simply congress people.
-------
My two stepdaughters from Indiana are coming tomorrow for a Memorial Day weekend visit. Of course, the weather here in North Carolina has turned sour with projected rain and temperatures in the sixties. At the same time, Indiana is having clear skies and weather in the eighties. Oh well, it won't matter, i have little doubt that we won't still have a very good time. They have told me to "rest up" before the visit--which i plan to do.
Sunday is Race Day, btw. Tony Kannon's last 500. And Helio is going for his "fifth". Just in case you might be interested.
