General Knowledge Quiz

[DaleCooper]

Japan?

 

[theageofthetra]

Correct country but need the reason.

 

[AlterEgo]

Isn't there a large stigma over death in Japan, with people who touch dead bodies considered unclean?

 

[theageofthetra]

It's along those lines. One more guess to get it more precise

 

[DaleCooper]

Plenty of people have to touch dead bodies but only undertakers embalm them. Is it the embalming that's the problem?

 

[theageofthetra]

I'll award it to Alterego as he got closest first. For most of Japans history & particularly during the 200 year era it was closed to all outsiders (an era that makes North Korea look utopian!) Those that worked as Undertakers, in Abattoirs as butchers and in the Leather/tanning trades were treated as the lowest Caste -The Burakumin. They had to live in their own villages and were not permitted to marry outside their own caste or live in higher caste towns. This situation became blurred as cities expanded in the 20th century and absorbed former Burakumin communities. Today though 'officially' it is not permitted to check if your intended has Burakumin blood it does still happen particularly in West Japan and many employers will still make checks to see if the recruit has this background. The other reason this ancient practice continues is that the Japanese mafia have a considerable number of Burakumin in their ranks (60%+)

The whole issue is a very sensitive subject to many Japanese and is certainly not a subject to ever raise if in their company.

Your floor.

 

[Cowley]

Well I had no idea about any of that. Very interesting, thanks Mr Tra.

 

[AlterEgo]

I'll open the floor up to anyone, as I'm devoid of imagination today.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

That was an interesting one ... I had no idea!

Okay, here we go with a three part question.

This is a quote:

"I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when XX dined alone."

1. Who said this?
2. What were the circumstances?
3. Who does the XX refer to?

 

[DaleCooper]

I'm guessing that this was a sarcastic comment so I'll suggest:

1. (Some comedian or wit)
2. White House Correspondents' Dinner
3. Ronald Reagan

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I'm guessing that this was a sarcastic comment so I'll suggest:

1. (Some comedian or wit)
2. White House Correspondents' Dinner
3. Ronald Reagan

It wasn't, actually; it was at a genuine dinner at The White House ... but sadly, none of these are correct.

 

[krus_aragon]

That was an interesting one ... I had no idea!

Okay, here we go with a three part question.

This is a quote:

"I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when XX dined alone."

1. Who said this?
2. What were the circumstances?
3. Who does the XX refer to?

Here's my hat thrown into the ring:

For point 3, I'd suggest Benjamin Franklin, for the sheer scope of his activities (politician, scientist, postmaster, ambassador, author, inventor, etc).

For point 2, I'm going to plump for something related to the Manhattan Project. Either around Einstein's petition to Roosevelt to start the project, or Oppenheimer et.al dealing with the post-war implications of atomic energy and weapons.

So, in conclusion, I'll pick Roosevelt or Truman for the person that said it, for happening to be presidents at the time.

 

[Calthrop]

I believe it was

(1) President John F. Kennedy

(2) At a White House dinner in early 1962, honouring Nobel Prize winners

(3) Thomas Jefferson, third President of the US; who was, I gather, a celebrated polymath

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Here's my hat thrown into the ring:

For point 3, I'd suggest Benjamin Franklin, for the sheer scope of his activities (politician, scientist, postmaster, ambassador, author, inventor, etc).

For point 2, I'm going to plump for something related to the Manhattan Project. Either around Einstein's petition to Roosevelt to start the project, or Oppenheimer et.al dealing with the post-war implications of atomic energy and weapons.

So, in conclusion, I'll pick Roosevelt or Truman for the person that said it, for happening to be presidents at the time.

I'm afraid not - see below.

I believe it was

(1) President John F. Kennedy

(2) At a White House dinner in early 1962, honouring Nobel Prize winners

(3) Thomas Jefferson, third President of the US; who was, I gather, a celebrated polymath

Yes, you have it all - well done; your speech!

 

[Calthrop]

Yes, you have it all - well done; your speech!

Thank you, Mr. Pres. Question, accordingly: the Austro-Hungarian Empire -- which ceased to be, as at the end of World War I -- had citizens of a fair number of different ethnicities / nationalities (often not on the best of terms with each other). Please name seven of these ethnic groups in said defunct Empire.

 

[TheEdge]

I'm not sure if you want ethnic groups or modern countries.

Austrian
Hungarian
Slovakian
Slovenian
Romanian
Polish
Czechs

 

[Calthrop]

I'm not sure if you want ethnic groups or modern countries.

Austrian
Hungarian
Slovakian
Slovenian
Romanian
Polish
Czechs

Ethnic groups / modern countries, pretty largely overlap; at all events -- reading "Austrian" as "Austrian-German", you have the qualifying seven. The plebiscite declares that the floor is yours !

 

[TheEdge]

Another name 7 then.

Please name 7 of the marques of the VW group. Everyone gets to use one of either VW, Audi, Skoda or Seat.

 

[deltic1989]

Skoda
Bugatti
Bentley
Lamborgini
Scania
MAN
Porsche

 

[Cowley]

I think Deltic1989 is probably right although I didn't realise that VW owned Scania who obviously used to be part of Saab.
If it isn't then I'd swap Scania for Seat but all the rest are right.

 

[TheEdge]

deltic1989 has it.

You could also have had Ducatti, IAV and a handful of defunct marques they also still own.

 

[deltic1989]

deltic1989 has it.

You could also have had Ducatti, IAV and a handful of defunct marques they also still own.

I thank you.

Who was the first person in the world to use an Automated Teller Machine? And for a bonus point where was it installed?

 

[t_star2001uk]

My answer would be Reg Varney in Enfield town....

Open floor if correct

 

[deltic1989]

My answer would be Reg Varney in Enfield town....

Open floor if correct

And you would be correct.

Originally, the customer obtained a book of withdrawal slips, with a magnetic strip on the back from a cashier, and on entering one of these slips, the machine dispensed a pack of 10 £1 notes.

I notice you have declared an open floor. Next customer please.

 

[TheEdge]

36
48
56

Clues after a few guesses...

 

[me123]

I could argue that the next in the sequence is 60? The difference between them reduces by four each time?

 

[TheEdge]

You could but you would be wrong. Although pure coincidence it does appear to be right but its still not the answer

 

[DaleCooper]

36
48
56+
----
140

 

[TheEdge]

Yea, first clue, its not a numbers sequence or maths question. Think more vertically.

 

[DaleCooper]

Is it something to do with floors of the Empire State Building or some other skyscraper?