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University Challenge Ignorance


We have complained previously of ignorance displayed on University Challenge. The usual problem is biblical knowledge, although one team did quite well recently (thanks to the American in the team). It is not just Bible knowledge that is the problem. In a recent programme (a first round match between Imperial and Strathclyde) the Imperial team (all scientists) were asked questions about early human remains. No less than twice the answer was proffered, "Piltdown man". Not only is this the wrong answer but the team captain (a biologist from the Netherlands) seemed unaware that Piltdown man is a hoax, discovered to be so back in 1953. Jeremy Paxman famous for his abrasiveness did not correct him either. Perhaps he doesn't know either.

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