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NewsvineDo you know what the state cooking pot of Utah is? Or which mammal has 13 nipples? “Jeopardy!” champ Ken Jennings does.
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Ken Jennings, winner of over 70 games of "Jeopardy!"expresses his passion for trivia at Dinkelspiel Auditorium
The newly famous trivia-master spoke last night at Dinkelspiel Auditorium about his love for trivia and the effects that obscure facts can have on the world.
Jennings, one of the most celebrated contestants in history of the quiz show, gained fame and fortune after winning in more than 70 episodes. The software-engineer-turned-Jeopardy titleholder was a member of the quiz bowl team at Brigham Young University and came to the Stanford campus several times to compete as a college student.
Since appearing on the game show, Jennings has filmed a commercial for Cingular, started writing a book for Random House and was named one of 2004’s most fascinating people by Barbara Walters.
Jennings spoke about his love for trivia and his experience on the Jeopardy set, insisting that Alex Trebek is much funnier in real life.
“A good trivia fact can bring us joy and wake us up from the humdrum routine of life,” Jennings said.
He said that he derives joy from the acquisition of knowledge and stressed that trivia can have real-world implications. For instance, Jennings said the fact that corn kernels are a potential source of renewable hydrogen gas may one day change the world.
“Well chosen facts can change our lives,” he said.
Jennings also pointed out that random facts make good icebreakers and can provide opportunities to get to know quality people.
As for how he became an expert on so many subjects, Jennings said he finds himself constantly asking questions.
“You can be learning all the time — a classroom should not be the only place to learn,” Jennings said.
Following his speech, Jennings faced off with three Stanford Quiz Bowl students in a segment of the event called “Quiz the Champ.” Nine questions were posed to both the students and Jennings, who lost by one point.
Today Jennings will host the 10th “Battle of the Brains” competition in Kresge Auditorium. The contest is a fundraiser for students who do service work through the Stanford Community Law Clinic and the Stanford Community Action for Human Rights Project. Teams of law students will play against Stanford Law professors. The victors will receive a trophy, not to mention bragging rights.
Lisa Schwartz, a second-year law student, said that this year’s fundraiser has already brought in about $225,000. She added that four out of the seven members of the faculty team are former Supreme Court clerks.
Participating law students said they are ready for the competition, having prepped for the event by playing Trivial Pursuit.
Jennings said he looks forward to playing the role of host rather than competitor, but that he really loves any opportunity to talk trivia.
“Trivia makes the world a more fascinating place and there is nothing trivial about that,” Jennings said.
The event was sponsored by the ASSU Speakers Bureau and the Stanford Law Association.