Nerdy question from Power of 10 (spoiler)

[MarleysGh0st]

So, a question from one of the play-off rounds was:

What percentage of Americans said that Darth Vader is more evil than Lord Voldemort?

The survey answer:

Spoiler

54%

The contestant guesses were way off, at 21% and 26%.

I suspect this answer was more influenced by the number of adults who don't even know who Voldemort is (while I assume they've heard of Vader). Otherwise, at what point in Vader's career are we talking about, since he does abandon the Dark Side in the end? Granted, Vader had the opportunity to kill millions more (with the help of the Death Star) but we can't penalize Voldemort for lack of resources.

And, in the detailed breakdown of the results, 61% of Republicans said Vader was more evil, while only 48% of Democrats did. I guess that was the Republicans for Voldemort faction at work!

[gsabc]

I think the quiz show writers have found another repository for their rejected WGAS questions.

[andrewjackson]

Personally, I think Voldemort was way more evil. "Evil" as opposed to a person who does bad things. Hmm. If I look at the definitions of "evil" maybe I have a different conception of evil.

I have no idea what percentage I would have guessed.

[mrkelley23]

For an old-school D&Der, it's an easy distinction:

Darth Vader is Lawful Evil

Voldemort is Chaotic Evil

Near-perfect illustrations of each for the non-RPGer who wants to understand the distinction, IMHO.

[christie1111]

So, a question from one of the play-off rounds was:

What percentage of Americans said that Darth Vader is more evil than Lord Voldemort?

The survey answer:

Spoiler

54%

The contestant guesses were way off, at 21% and 26%.

I suspect this answer was more influenced by the number of adults who don't even know who Voldemort is (while I assume they've heard of Vader). Otherwise, at what point in Vader's career are we talking about, since he does abandon the Dark Side in the end? Granted, Vader had the opportunity to kill millions more (with the help of the Death Star) but we can't penalize Voldemort for lack of resources.

And, in the detailed breakdown of the results, 61% of Republicans said Vader was more evil, while only 48% of Democrats did. I guess that was the Republicans for Voldemort faction at work!

I missed the percentage of people who would shoot Bin Laden.

That would have been a tough number for me to guess at.

Does anyone remember?

[earendel]

So, a question from one of the play-off rounds was:

What percentage of Americans said that Darth Vader is more evil than Lord Voldemort?

The survey answer:

Spoiler

54%

The contestant guesses were way off, at 21% and 26%.

I suspect this answer was more influenced by the number of adults who don't even know who Voldemort is (while I assume they've heard of Vader). Otherwise, at what point in Vader's career are we talking about, since he does abandon the Dark Side in the end? Granted, Vader had the opportunity to kill millions more (with the help of the Death Star) but we can't penalize Voldemort for lack of resources.

And, in the detailed breakdown of the results, 61% of Republicans said Vader was more evil, while only 48% of Democrats did. I guess that was the Republicans for Voldemort faction at work!

elwing commented that Voldemort was evil but only to this planet; Vader was evil to the whole galaxy, which "boosts his ratings" as it were.

[MarleysGh0st]

For an old-school D&Der, it's an easy distinction:

Darth Vader is Lawful Evil

Voldemort is Chaotic Evil

Near-perfect illustrations of each for the non-RPGer who wants to understand the distinction, IMHO.

Perhaps, but most of that impression can be explained by Voldemort being the #1 bad guy in his world, while Vader remains #2 to the Emperor. Both could be rather abruptly unkind to henchmen who let them down.

For me, the difference is that Vader begins as good, little Anakin Skywalker, is corrupted to the Dark Side, but is redeemed at the end. Voldemort begins evil and remains so to the end.

[mrkelley23]

So, a question from one of the play-off rounds was:

What percentage of Americans said that Darth Vader is more evil than Lord Voldemort?

The survey answer:

Spoiler

54%

The contestant guesses were way off, at 21% and 26%.

I suspect this answer was more influenced by the number of adults who don't even know who Voldemort is (while I assume they've heard of Vader). Otherwise, at what point in Vader's career are we talking about, since he does abandon the Dark Side in the end? Granted, Vader had the opportunity to kill millions more (with the help of the Death Star) but we can't penalize Voldemort for lack of resources.

And, in the detailed breakdown of the results, 61% of Republicans said Vader was more evil, while only 48% of Democrats did. I guess that was the Republicans for Voldemort faction at work!

I missed the percentage of people who would shoot Bin Laden.

That would have been a tough number for me to guess at.

Does anyone remember?

54% IIRC.

FDSN

[MarleysGh0st]

I missed the percentage of people who would shoot Bin Laden.

That would have been a tough number for me to guess at.

Does anyone remember?

Spoiler

57%

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/powerof10/ ... p=13&id=15

That question, too, relies on a number of unstated assumptions. Are you positive about his ID and in the unlikely situation where you either shoot to kill or he gets away?

As the contestant said, she'd just shoot him in the kneecaps.

[Ritterskoop]

As the contestant said, she'd just shoot him in the kneecaps.

There are a lot of people I would not mind shooting in the knees.

[silvercamaro]

So, a question from one of the play-off rounds was:

What percentage of Americans said that Darth Vader is more evil than Lord Voldemort?

The survey answer:

Spoiler

54%

The contestant guesses were way off, at 21% and 26%.

I suspect this answer was more influenced by the number of adults who don't even know who Voldemort is (while I assume they've heard of Vader). Otherwise, at what point in Vader's career are we talking about, since he does abandon the Dark Side in the end? Granted, Vader had the opportunity to kill millions more (with the help of the Death Star) but we can't penalize Voldemort for lack of resources.

And, in the detailed breakdown of the results, 61% of Republicans said Vader was more evil, while only 48% of Democrats did. I guess that was the Republicans for Voldemort faction at work!

My supposition has nothing to do with the merits or demerits of each villain. I think it reflects the probable demographics of the polling sample.

A large percentage of Americans of any age has seen (or knows about) the first three Star Wars movies. A smaller group of "older" people (and I'm defining that age group only in a comparative sense) has seen the newer Star Wars cycle, so many are not aware that Vader has been redeemed. As you noted, this same group of "older" folks is less likely to have read or watched the Harry Potter books and films, so have formed no opinion on the less familiar character. (There may even have been some thoughts along the lines of "He's in a children's book. How bad could he be?") Simultaneously, the "older" group is statistically more likely to have a land-line telephone, the poll-taker's preferred tool, and thus more likely to be included in the survey.

[gsabc]

Does the fact that we are having a serious discussion of this question make us nerds, too?

[silvercamaro]

Does the fact that we are having a serious discussion of this question make us nerds, too?

You have doubt?

[MarleysGh0st]

Does the fact that we are having a serious discussion of this question make us nerds, too?

You have doubt?

It does not make us so, since that fact has been long-established!

But so much for your WGAS assertion, gsabc!

[MarleysGh0st]

elwing commented that Voldemort was evil but only to this planet; Vader was evil to the whole galaxy, which "boosts his ratings" as it were.

That's a measure of accomplishments rather than essence, then. Who did evil on a wholesale scale, rather than merely retail.

[gsabc]

Does the fact that we are having a serious discussion of this question make us nerds, too?

You have doubt?

It does not make us so, since that fact has been long-established!

In my case, that's certainly true. I even recently came upon my pocket protector from a chromatography column manufacturer. More proof isn't needed.

But so much for your WGAS assertion, gsabc!

Yeah, well, what other useless item is there to discuss with the show in reruns and no BB's in the hot seat to hope for till next season? Or have I forgotten someone whose show is in the can waiting for air time?

[silvercamaro]

I've always known that I was a nerd, but I'm so good at it that I consistently have fooled the cool kids.

I still own slide rules and a typewriter, as "historical relics," of course.

[MarleysGh0st]

Yeah, well, what other useless item is there to discuss with the show in reruns and no BB's in the hot seat to hope for till next season? Or have I forgotten someone whose show is in the can waiting for air time?

Sadly, no.

Unless a BB manages to get cast for one of these new shows being added to the schedule, we'll have to wait until audition season returns in April or May for some on-topic news.

Well, there is the online test for J! at the end of this month.

[gsabc]

I've always known that I was a nerd, but I'm so good at it that I consistently have fooled the cool kids.

I still own slide rules and a typewriter, as "historical relics," of course.

Ditto. I even have spare ribbons, complete with correcting tape. Ghu only knows if they're still good, but I have them.

Give me five minutes with the slide rule, and I probably still could do some basic calculations with it. I'd need the manual (in the sheath with the slide rule) to do anything fancy.

[Rexer25]

I've always known that I was a nerd, but I'm so good at it that I consistently have fooled the cool kids.

I still own slide rules and a typewriter, as "historical relics," of course.

Ditto. I even have spare ribbons, complete with correcting tape. Ghu only knows if they're still good, but I have them.

Give me five minutes with the slide rule, and I probably still could do some basic calculations with it. I'd need the manual (in the sheath with the slide rule) to do anything fancy.

I spent NYE with my older sister and her family, and I mentioned (after a few Newcastle Brown Ales) that I had a medal somewhere for taking second place in district in slide rule. My sister's niece just looked at me quizzically until someone pointed out her expression, and said she prolly dint know what a slide rule is.

Oops, sorry, the geezer meeting is starting now. Gotta go.

[fantine33]

So, a question from one of the play-off rounds was:

What percentage of Americans said that Darth Vader is more evil than Lord Voldemort?

The survey answer:

Spoiler

54%

The contestant guesses were way off, at 21% and 26%.

I suspect this answer was more influenced by the number of adults who don't even know who Voldemort is (while I assume they've heard of Vader). Otherwise, at what point in Vader's career are we talking about, since he does abandon the Dark Side in the end? Granted, Vader had the opportunity to kill millions more (with the help of the Death Star) but we can't penalize Voldemort for lack of resources.

And, in the detailed breakdown of the results, 61% of Republicans said Vader was more evil, while only 48% of Democrats did. I guess that was the Republicans for Voldemort faction at work!

Is this that show with Drew Carey that they show adverts for with a slider between two people while they grimace and carry on?

I don't know who Voldemort is (a Lord of the Rings character, probably) but, even if I did, my answer would still be Darth Vader!

I've seen ONE Star Wars movie (the one with Liam Neeson being all hot 'n stuff), but I know that James Earl Jones is one bad mother shut your mouth. (Anyone who has seen Conan the Barbarian knows that. Ha!)

[earendel]

Is this that show with Drew Carey that they show adverts for with a slider between two people while they grimace and carry on?

Yes.

I don't know who Voldemort is (a Lord of the Rings character, probably) but, even if I did, my answer would still be Darth Vader!

He's Harry Potter's arch-nemesis. Please tell me you know who Harry Potter is.

I've seen ONE Star Wars movie (the one with Liam Neeson being all hot 'n stuff), but I know that James Earl Jones is one bad mother shut your mouth. (Anyone who has seen Conan the Barbarian knows that. Ha!)

Well, at least you saw the best of the worst three of the SW movies.

[MarleysGh0st]

Is this that show with Drew Carey that they show adverts for with a slider between two people while they grimace and carry on?

Yes, the two contestants face off guessing the closest answer to survey questions like this, then the winner guesses some more to earn money. And there's lots of sliding the slider up and down, with the audience and the contestant's personal advisor frantically yelling "Higher!" and "Lower!"

I don't know who Voldemort is (a Lord of the Rings character, probably) but, even if I did, my answer would still be Darth Vader!

So you're one of those who threw off the poll!

Lord Voldemort is the big villain from the Harry Potter series. And he's definitely more evil in character than Darth Vader, even if he fails to do as many evil deeds.

By that other measure, it's pretty hard to top planetcide.

[fantine33]

Is this that show with Drew Carey that they show adverts for with a slider between two people while they grimace and carry on?

Yes, the two contestants face off guessing the closest answer to survey questions like this, then the winner guesses some more to earn money. And there's lots of sliding the slider up and down, with the audience and the contestant's personal advisor frantically yelling "Higher!" and "Lower!"

I don't know who Voldemort is (a Lord of the Rings character, probably) but, even if I did, my answer would still be Darth Vader!

So you're one of those who threw off the poll!

Lord Voldemort is the big villain from the Harry Potter series. And he's definitely more evil in character than Darth Vader, even if he fails to do as many evil deeds.

By that other measure, it's pretty hard to top planetcide.

I am also quoting earendel by proxy, I just don't want to have to split my tags (ouch!).

Okay, I thought that there had to be something more involved in what they show on the ads but, by your explanation, I guess there isn't. Don't they give any info about who they polled? One of the commercials says something about being mistaken for a prostitute. Well, the answer on that would vary greatly depending on where you asked it, now wouldn't it? Otherwise it's just "pick a number between 1 and 100". Ha, I was just going to type 'where's the fun it in that?' when I realized that's pretty much the basis of the Howie Mandel show as well.

Harry Potter. Damn. I figured I had a 50/50 shot, but I went with Lord of the Rings because of the "Lord" part.

Yes, I do know who Harry Potter is. And the chick is named Hermione (I remember that because of Gingold). But that's about it. I did buy my nephew a Harry Potter book when they first came out. He read aloud to me for about four pages and then we both fell asleep. (He did eventually read all the books and saw the movies, btw.)

That's also the only reason I saw the one Star Wars movie that I did. The kids wanted me to see it with them. I relented only because of the Neeson Factor.

Lest anyone think I'm trying to act all uppity and above it all and whatnot (after all, I watch the Tonys. Ha!), I think one of the best movies in the history of forever is The Sword and the Sorceror. I'm still waiting for the further adventures of Talon that they promised us at the end of the movie.

[fantine33]

I've always known that I was a nerd, but I'm so good at it that I consistently have fooled the cool kids.

I still own slide rules and a typewriter, as "historical relics," of course.

I have a slide rule! It was my mom's. I have no idea how to use it, though. She was the only girl in her calculus and physics classes in high school (because girls didn't do 'that sort of thing' back in the '50's).

Obviously the math gene is not inherited. Ha!