A Conversation for The H2IQ Quiz - Be The First Among Equals
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum Posted Apr 25, 2002
OK if you won't give us another example (as promised 
above)lemme suggest Clint Eastwood might also be on that list.
jwf
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
The Ghost of Polidari Posted Apr 25, 2002
As, at a pinch, could a certain Mr Gibson....
Would you care to state the reason young man?
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum Posted Apr 25, 2002
They all claim to be
(and have been nominated for awards as)
directors as well as players.
In some, if not all cases,
directing themselves
in awards nominated roles.
jwf
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
Bagpuss Posted Apr 25, 2002
Woah, a huge slew of backlog. Just a couple of comments whilst we await ~jwf~'s next question.
1. The singular of criteria is criterion.
2. Greebo's posting times have not so much an Atlantic bias as a European bias.
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
Montana Redhead (now with letters) Posted Apr 25, 2002
.....just bookmarking...... 
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum Posted Apr 26, 2002
Did I win?
If I did the next question is:
Thomas Edison invented a successful lightbulb and many other inventions involving the manipulation of electric current. Not everybody today realises that he was working with direct current (DC) and held an almost monoply on most of the generation, distribution and applications of DC power (much as Bill Gates controls the public sector of cyberspace).
To break his stranglehold, someone developed alternating current (AC) and used Niagara Falls to generate it. A sprawling 'grid' began there and spread throughout the world.
Edison was appalled, not for selfish monetary reasons, he was already quite wealthy, but because AC requires consderably higher voltages to travel and work well when it gets there.
"Dangerous! Science gone mad!" screamed Edison with genuine concern for the potential dangers of 120 volt running 'everywhere'. It wasn't really necessary. Safer DC gadgets were more efficient, quieter but wide distribution was technically difficult (at that time) and Edison held patents on damn near everything DC.
AC was gaining ground fast.
What did Edison do next to demonstrate the dangers of AC and how did the scheme backfire?
(Bonus question: Why is nearly double the AC voltage used in Europe?)
peace jwf
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
six7s Posted Apr 26, 2002
Edison demonstrated the *dangers* of the electric chair ...
six7's 
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum Posted Apr 26, 2002
God bless the 24 hour world!
I forgot someone might be up somewhere.
It's 1am in NovaScotia and I'm 
But yes, 6x7, yer absolutely correct! He invented the electric chair to demonstrate the cruelty of death by Alternating Current and it proved very popular and became one of his 'hottest' products ever.
Carry on.
jwf
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
six7s Posted Apr 26, 2002
The US started with DC first and then converted to 110V AC at 110 volts for *safety reasons*
I presume Canada followed suit to be compatible.
Whereas most of the rest of the world *started* with 220 volts
Once a standard is started, it is difficult to change it.
NB 220 volts can generate more power
six7's
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
Gravity Welles Posted Apr 26, 2002
LOL
Ho-ho you got the bonus question too!
Now you have two batons to carry on!
And now I really am off.
nite
jwf
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
The Ghost of Polidari Posted Apr 26, 2002
Is this a good time to point out that jwf got the answer wrong???
Because he did....
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
six7s Posted Apr 26, 2002
Fair enough...
So... how about... they all priced themselves out of the market?
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
The Ghost of Polidari Posted Apr 26, 2002
Not quite - jwf is right on the Oscars link, but not correct on the reason (Emma Thompson has never directed herself as far as I know).
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
Whisky Posted Apr 26, 2002
They've all won best actor/actress and best screenplay?
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
six7s Posted Apr 26, 2002
<< (there are other examples I'll give if no one gets the answer.) >>
go on then
Im stumped, Chaplin got a *special* award, for producing, directing, writing and starring in "The Circus but no awards for a *standard* category... 
unlike the other three.... 
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
Whisky Posted Apr 26, 2002
They've all only won a single oscar? (clutching at straws here)
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
The Ghost of Polidari Posted Apr 26, 2002
Try adding Orson Welles to the list of actors...
And you're going to have to do a bit more research on Charlie Chaplin.
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
Whisky Posted Apr 26, 2002
Actors who've all won oscars in non-acting roles (best screenplay or director etc.)
Key: Complain about this post
From an acorn does an oak tree grow
- 2081: ~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum (Apr 25, 2002)
- 2082: The Ghost of Polidari (Apr 25, 2002)
- 2083: ~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum (Apr 25, 2002)
- 2084: Bagpuss (Apr 25, 2002)
- 2085: Montana Redhead (now with letters) (Apr 25, 2002)
- 2086: ~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2087: six7s (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2088: ~ jwf ~ scribblo ergo sum (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2089: six7s (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2090: Gravity Welles (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2091: Cybercat (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2092: The Ghost of Polidari (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2093: six7s (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2094: The Ghost of Polidari (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2095: Whisky (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2096: The Ghost of Polidari (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2097: six7s (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2098: Whisky (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2099: The Ghost of Polidari (Apr 26, 2002)
- 2100: Whisky (Apr 26, 2002)
More Conversations for The H2IQ Quiz - Be The First Among Equals
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."