Probably the highest quality match of UC I've ever seen. Both teams were good, and there weren't that many starter questions Paxman wasn't interrupted on. Enjoyable.
*WHAT, IS, MONKMAN* Here are just _some_ of the topics that he was knowledgeable on during the show: the Gunpowder Plot, French physicist Louis de Broglie, Battle of Flodden in 1513, Korean demilitarized zone, 1905 Nobel laureate Bertha von Suttner, Conway's cell simulation Game of Life, the word "zany" from some obscure Biron monologue in Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost (I'm an English teacher and I had _no_ clue on that question off the top of my head), the mathematician David Hilbert, the Japanese film (and eponymous psychological effect) Rashomon, the Latin phrase fiat lux Notice that _none_ of these are about *Economics*, his area of study (and presumably, specialty) Forget "breadth" of knowledge, this is like intergalactic space of knowledge...
I love Monkman's magnanimous drink of water at 24:51, slowly retracting from his buzzer and taking a large, deliberate sip, resigning himself from the starter question, as if to say, "Aha, you see, I am but human!"... only to then be the member of his team to take a guess anyway! In my opinion, the greatest personality the show has ever had. Seagull also a top, top leader. Sad to see him go.
One of my favourite things about this programme is how Paxman acts as though most of the answers are obvious, despite being the one with the answers in his hand.
This was indeed one of the best ever UCs. Paxman enthused the same. And what gracious sportsmanship. All played their part and contributed well. And it was great entertainment. A classic .
Derek Parfit, 1942-2017, one of the leading moral philosophers of our time, whose work 'Reasons and Persons' was mentioned in this episode. P.S. Thanks for the upload, including the occasionally very useful subtitles!
This should have been a final. Such an amazing match. Two amazingly worthy teams. Feel Terrible to see Team Emma go. But I love the Monkman and Seagull friendship.
Assuming Goldman and Team Balliol can dispatch Edinburgh next week, they should provide a stellar final rematch of the quarterfinal between Wolfson and Balliol. Balliol has dominated every team so far except for Wolfson.
I will miss Emmanuel SO much! Best "team" effort ever. What a great crew! Still can't say I'm not looking forward to more Monkman. Semis are so hard! Thanks so much for the consistent uploads, this US lady needs respite from #russiagate, omg...
Is it me or did Paxman actually look a little sad at the end? I certainly am. Team Emma was absolutely magnificent throughout the series and I cannot bear to see them go. Psi, thank you for the upload, you wonderful, wonderful man.
Lovely article in The Guardian today written about this "clash of the titans" -- heartwarming & interesting. "Monkman v Seagull: friendship is winner in University Challenge showdown" www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/28/erik-monkman-vs-bobby-seagull-friendship-winner-university-challenge-showdown
hahah, the hoodie barton-singer is wearing is such a trueblood flashback. monkman & co are breaking my heart once again since jesus and warwick! one of the best matches, for sure.
Thanks for all the University Challenge episodes, we don't have it in Australia, the best we've got is The Chase Australia with Anne and Mark, says a lot about broadcasting down under where My Kitchen Rules rules.
P.S. Lovely article in The Guardian today written about this "clash of the titans" -- heartwarming & interesting. "Monkman v Seagull: friendship is winner in University Challenge showdown" www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/28/erik-monkman-vs-bobby-seagull-friendship-winner-university-challenge-showdown
I have a question: how does a human being, especially when they're this young, become so knowledgeable? I know it's easier now with Wikipedia etc, but where does someone start in order to achieve this kind of breadth of knowledge?
IMHO, the UC teams depend on good schooling prior to university, as well as interest. Some people are interested in everything and just devour information, and because of their interest, they remember it. Such omnivorous interest is not a necessary corollary of intelligence, however, although intelligence is a necessary corollary of such interest.
About 25:30, Europa was the right answer as it is the smaller Galilean moon but Europa is not larger than our moon, it is slightly smaller. Just a slight mistake in the question I suppose or maybe I misheard it.
I'd like to think he's unstoppable, but in the final he's going up against the only person on any of the teams this year who can match him. Watch Goldman in the semifinal match, and you'll see just how great a force will be colliding with the Monkman Wall next week.
"... this time with three cities or towns highlighted, all of which have names ..... which when translated into English have a word or concept in common. You have to identify them." When they stated to identify the cities Paxman replied "That isn`t what I asked you for. What I asked you for was the concept." At the very least the question was ambiguous, but I`d argue that it wasn`t even that - the plural "them" clearly refers to the plural cities. "You have to identify IT" would have been better though it was anyway very poorly structured.
That was a different question: "What is the single English word that translates the name element that these cities have in common?". The bonus should have been phrased like that too
I agree ('them' referred to the concepts in each of the three questions, hence the plural; it was an ambiguous reference at best). However, whoever comes up with the questions is doing a terrific (and febrific?) job. Cosgrove impressed with the dimensionality of the physical constants here - just 'getting' the question was hard enough for me. Some of the Britten was absolutely divine.
The physical constants was pretty easy to understand. The difficulty was in remembering the actual units for the 1st two (notice how quickly the whole team got the 3rd one).
Also, LOL to Monkman immediately going with "Eternal City" for the 2nd bonus as if the word Rome itself has ever had any connection to any word meaning Eternal.
How do they manage to excel in their own field and know all about other topics? I am just so surprised, I can barely manage to study for all my courses during a semester
This was an eye opener episode. Just goes to show they are all human afterall, & they're only easy if you know them. I didn't expect to see Monkman stumped so many times even on Maths related question thanks to Cosgrove and Yang they pulled through. Monkman was good but he did struggle a fair bit. I think unless something drastic happens if Goldman reaches the finals they should win if up against Monkman's team. Goldman is on fire right now. I liked Singer here too he did well for his team
great match. I didn't realise Emmanuel was losing until the very end. Very sad indeef to see them go. I was very sceptical about Seagull's leadership style in the early matches but at this point I think that he's brought out the best in all of them.
In my experience, Mr Paxman never understates. In earlier stages of the competition, he's always sympathetic towards the losers, and at this stage, he always points out that having come this far, they have done very well all the same.
At 24:49 it sounded like he said 15 milli molar, but from the answer he gives later on, only did I realise he actually said 50 milli molar. I thought he didn't speak quite clearly enough :/
theres a UC video ive been trying to find where a picture round is the lineups for a sporting event. the starter is the 1999 champions league final. if anyone knows this vid, please put the link in the replies. im desperate ngl
14:25 First time I've ever seen mention of one of my favourite philosophers, Leszek Kolakowski. My favourite quote: "It may well be that the impossible at any given moment can become possible only by being stated at a time when it is impossible" In simple terms - if you don't ask, you don't get!
I love Monkman, even though he wrongfooted me (I'm from Wiltshire but lived for six years in Dorset, and changed my answer from Dorset to Wiltshire!). He is VFM.🙂
