20 Questions - Game 262

[Jamiet99uk]

Jack Swigert

Interesting, but I don't think it can be, due to this answer:

4,5,12. Primarily famous for something related to US politics or government.

Jack Swigert's main claim to fame is that he was an astronaut.

[cdngooner]

Jack Swigert

JACK SWIGERT is correct! Apollo 13 Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert, played by Kevin Bacon in the movie. The first to say, "Houston, we've had a problem here" (seconds before Lovell more famously repeated him). His primary fame came as a federal employee, in a government agency, on a state mission ("related to" is such a useless term in a question; it captures all kinds of connection). It just so happens that he also ran for congress, and was elected ... but died before taking office, so he never served (you all seem to have assumed that elected = served).

So many times you were so close, but then another unlucky question would send you on another goose chase. By the end, I really didn't think you were going to get it.

Much congratulations, Hominidae!

[Jamiet99uk]

Oh, what?

I don't think being a public employee makes you "primarily famous for government"...

[cdngooner]

I don't think being a public employee makes you "primarily famous for government"...

"Primarily famous for government" isn't what was asked or answered. "Something related to government" was asked. I underlined that several times, and warned that you were making errors in asking questions about politics.

[Hominidae]

Well, Ctrl-Fing my way through every Wikipedia article from 1913 onwards was fun. Great pick, and the next thread will be up soon!

Oh, what?

I don't think being a public employee makes you "primarily famous for government"...

To be fair, cdngooner made it clear a few times in the thread that "related to" was being interpreted very loosely.

[Aristocrat]

It was "related to politics or government of the USA" in one question and "something to do with" government in the other. Though maybe that does not make a ton of difference.

That said, if you asked 100 people if "being an astronaut means you're famous for something to do with government," zero would say "yes."

[cdngooner]

That said, if you asked 100 people if "being an astronaut means you're famous for something to do with government," zero would say "yes."

That's funny, because two of the 10 people who played this game did.

[Aristocrat]

That said, if you asked 100 people if "being an astronaut means you're famous for something to do with government," zero would say "yes."

That's funny, because two of the 10 people who played this game did.

No, it's just you thinking you're being clever by being pedantic and someone reacting to that.

If you were actually parsing the grammar like you think you were doing, you'd realize you were interpreting "relating to . . . government" or "something to do with . . . government" as "relating to . . . the government" or "something to do with . . . the government." Without the definite or indefinite article, the sentence only makes sense if government (which has multiple definitions) is being used to mean the act or process of governing, or similar. Instead, in an eagerness to think you pulled one over on everyone, you redefined it as the government at large.

[sweetandcool]

It was "related to politics or government of the USA" in one question and "something to do with" government in the other. Though maybe that does not make a ton of difference.

That said, if you asked 100 people if "being an astronaut means you're famous for something to do with government," zero would say "yes."

Any Astronaut working for NASA is a government employee. Consequently, I would say that being an Astronaut means you're famous for something to do with government.

It's the same principle with Donald Knuth, world renown Computer Scientist. He was famous for his studies regarding algorithms (amongst many other things), and for a time he famously worked for the NSA, making him famous for something to do with government.

[cdngooner]

Listen, Aristocrat, I get that you're disappointed you didn't win, but let's try to remember it's a game and we're all just having fun. No need for insults.

FWIW, I didn't answer "Yes" to "related to government" because he was a govt employee. If a postal worker kills someone, I don't think his fame comes from his relation to government. But Swigert was on a government mission (with a big giant "USA" on the rocket, if you remember). AND, secondarily but to provide further connnection, he subsequently achieved further fame by directing a House subcommittee, running for Senate, and being elected to House. First sentence of his Wiki page reads "astronaut, test pilot ... and politician."

If you would have answered the question differently, that's great. That's what makes it fun. Spartaculous reads the QM's tendencies like a pro and that is why he is our best player. When you're QM, you can answer the questions however you like.

[DarthPorg36]

Ah, good one. Astronauts are my forte so I'm annoyed I didn't get this one, but GG. I really got lost down the politics rabbit hole