Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
I caught a little of Britain's Brightest for the first time at the weekend. Fronted by that ubiquitous new "national treasure" Clare Balding, it was a step up from the average Saturday night quiz fare in the way Mastermind was a step up from Blankety Blank.
Never mind the grammar school v private v comprehensive debate, there is a certain type of mind or intelligence that is brilliant at quizzes − not to mention crosswords and other puzzles. For example, I am good at the former, but have never done a cryptic crossword or sudoku in my life.
It certainly takes a particular mind to set them. Tomorrow, I will be privileged to attend the final of the iQuiz competition at Birmingham's excellent Ikon Gallery in the company of The Independent and i's own quizmaster Simon O'Hagan. Simon has been setting quizzes since his schooldays. He has also attended one of Britain's best-known pub quiz nights (at the Prince of Wales in Highgate) for a decade, where he even sets questions occasionally. He has the sort of "butterfly brain" that used to characterise all journalists and knows quite a lot about quite a lot.
Among Simon's own favourite trivia? That Isaac Newton invented the catflap, or that Delia Smith baked the cake that appears on the Let It Bleed album cover. How did I get through life without such indispensable knowledge?
So, I trust that the 18 student teams of four that have made it through to tomorrow night's final will be swotting up tonight. They will have had a taste of what to expect in their November heats organised by our Student Brand Ambassadors. Thanks to all of you.
I would be swotting like mad if I had a prize of a 14-day trek around the West Coast of America (from TrekAmerica) within reach for knowing Hazel Blears MP once played a street urchin in the kitchen-sink drama A Taste Of Honey. Hope the teams are good friends!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments