So I went home this weekend to see family and friends. Whenever my friend Mike and I get together, for some unholy reason we play Trivial Pursuit (the most aptly named board game ever). It usually starts off fun, but ends in me throwing pieces after I’ve missed my wedge question for Sports & Leisure or Entertainment for the 15th time. Though this time was special – I couldn’t find our new version of the game, so we had to settle for my parents’ ancient 1981 version. Just to give you some perspective on how hard that is for us, I was born in 1987, Russia was the USSR, and you have to differentiate between East and West Germany.
But what was the worst category? Science and Nature. Usually that’s my go-to subject, but the questions were so ridiculous I had to write some of them down. My four favorites:
Q: What’s the only mammal that can’t fly that can fly?
Me: …Are you kidding me?
A: Man
Mike: That sounds more like a joke than a trivia question.
Q: What sign of the zodiac falls between Nov 22 and Dec 21?
Me: What the hell?!?!?! Why is there an astrology question in SCIENCE and NATURE?!
A: Sagittarius (Unfortunately I knew it anyway, I was a big astrology buff back in the day…I know, we all have our shortcomings)
And then we proceeded to get FIVE MORE astrology questions throughout the game. I can only imagine how many there were total.
Q: Name the three Kingdoms of nature.
Me: Three?? Aren’t there like, five kingdoms? Damnit, old game.
Mike: Well, what are the five?
Me: Um…animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria or whatever. Hm…what three would they say in 1981… I’m going to say Animals, plants, and bacteria.
A: Animal, vegetable, mineral
Me: What the hell?! Mineral isn’t even a living thing! (And upon further inspection, the five kingdoms were developed in 1969, so screw you Trivial Pursuit)
Q: What’s considered the most highly specialized mammal?
Me: …Well technically each mammal is highly specialized for the particular niche it evolved in. What the hell is this even asking?
A: The whale
Me: I hate this game
In conclusion, don’t play old versions of Trivial Pursuit unless you want to be frustrated, or you want a unique outlook on how far we’ve come in science in the last 30 years. Or you want to watch your scientist friends throw mini tantrums.
But those ridiculous impossible questions are what make the old Trivial Pursuit games fun! I can’t believe that first question was really in there. I would have thrown the question box across the room.
But those ridiculous impossible questions are what make the old Trivial Pursuit games fun! I can’t believe that first question was really in there. I would have thrown the question box across the room.
This is why I stick to Monopoly.
This is why I stick to Monopoly.
I gotta know, what is the only mammal that can’t fly that can fly?!
I’m tempted to go for a bat, but I really don’t know if I’m going in the right direction or in precisely the opposite direction.
I gotta know, what is the only mammal that can’t fly that can fly?!I’m tempted to go for a bat, but I really don’t know if I’m going in the right direction or in precisely the opposite direction.
Ah -_-
Now that I’ve slept a few hours, I get it.
Thought the “Man” was just “Man, this is silly isn’t it?” rather than the answer.
le sigh.
What an odd question. Granted, it was only a few hours of sleep, but how is it that taking pets up into planes doesn’t qualify, if people going in them does? Because the dog didn’t build the plane? Seems like a very weird question, even after I (think I) understand it.
Ah -_-Now that I’ve slept a few hours, I get it.Thought the “Man” was just “Man, this is silly isn’t it?” rather than the answer.le sigh.What an odd question. Granted, it was only a few hours of sleep, but how is it that taking pets up into planes doesn’t qualify, if people going in them does? Because the dog didn’t build the plane? Seems like a very weird question, even after I (think I) understand it.
Bah don’t they know that Dolphins can fly also. How else will they leave the planet when it is about to be destroyed by intergalactic bulldozers.
Bah don’t they know that Dolphins can fly also. How else will they leave the planet when it is about to be destroyed by intergalactic bulldozers.
1st Question: Actually it sounds more like a Sphinx riddle, but equally absurd. 2nd Question: I can only assume that Astrology was still placed next to Astronomy at that point. That, or it’s because they are based on actual constellations. *shrug* 3rd Question: What the heck? Did they just turn this into a game of 20 Questions? 4th Question: …Also, we are apparently the same age. owo Weird…maybe I should start a blog. <.<;