introductory question

Question 1

Who is the main character of the story ‘Rip Van Winkle’?

Answer 1

Rip Van Winkle

Rip Van Winkle is a Dutch-American short story character created by Washington Irving.

Question 2

How long did Rip Van Winkle sleep?

Answer 2

20 years

Question 3

What major historical event occurs while Rip Van Winkle is asleep?

Answer 3

The American Revolution

Question 4

What does Rip Van Winkle grow during his 20 years of sleep?

Answer 4

A large, white beard

Question 5

What is Steve Rogers’ alias?

Answer 5

Captain America

Question 6

For how long was Steve Rogers in suspended animation?

Answer 6

70 years

Question 7

What serum did Steve Rogers take to become a super-soldier?

Answer 7

Super-soldier serum

Question 8

What organization does Steve Rogers fight against in WWII?

Answer 8

Hydra

Question 9

Who revives Steve Rogers after his frozen state?

Answer 9

S.H.I.E.L.D

Question 10

Who is the protagonist of ‘The Last Airbender’?

Answer 10

Aang

Question 11

What is Aang’s role in the world he inhabits?

Answer 11

The Avatar

Question 12

How long does Aang sleep in an iceberg?

Answer 12

100 years

Question 13

What major conflict occurs during Aang’s century-long slumber?

Answer 13

The Hundred Year War

Question 14

What is the ‘Slice of Life’ genre?

Answer 14

Media depicting realistic scenarios in people’s lives

Question 15

When was the ‘Slice of Life’ genre first popularized?

Answer 15

1950s

Question 16

What does ‘Slice of Life’ media typically lack?

Answer 16

Notably little plot and character development

Question 17

What significant technological developments occurred between 1825 and 1925?

Answer 17

• Creation of the Telegraph
• Invention of the Phone
• Development of Planes
• Slavery Abolition Act
• American Civil War
• Theory of Evolution
• Second Industrial Revolution
• Development of Train and Car Industries

Question 18

What does Moore’s Law suggest about technology?

Answer 18

Technologies will become half as expensive every 2 years

Question 19

What is the proposed yearly income in Sam Altman’s vision of a future governmental system?

Answer 19

$13,500

Question 20

What does Altman describe as the 4th industrial revolution?

Answer 20

The AI revolution

Question 21

What is the optimistic message in the song ‘Counting Up to Twenty’?

Answer 21

Progress and growth over time

Question 22

What was the largest theater installation in the world where ‘Counting Up to Twenty’ was featured?

Answer 22

EFX

Question 23

What does the quote ‘the best is yet to be’ suggest?

Answer 23

A sense of possibility and hope for the future

Question 24

Who wrote the poem containing the quote ‘the best is yet to be’?

Answer 24

Robert Browning

Question 25

What is a key difference between 'igniting' and 're-igniting' something?

Answer 25

Re-igniting involves returning to a past passion or project

Question 26

What does the term 'air-type' refer to in Japanese Slice of Life?

Answer 26

A subgenre that eliminates romantic attraction

Question 27

What major historical event began after 1825 that influenced American society?

Answer 27

The American Civil War

Question 28

Who was Robert Browning?

Answer 28

An English poet and playwright known for irony, characterization, dark humor, and social commentary.

Question 29

What does the quote 'the best is yet to be' from Robert Browning's Rabbi Ben Ezra refer to?

Answer 29

A belief that divine power shapes our lives, with the purpose of life becoming clearer as you grow older.

Question 30

In what context is Browning's quote commonly used today?

Answer 30

As an optimistic phrase about the future.

Question 31

What themes does Ezra Klein discuss regarding Donald Trump's claims?

Answer 31

Underlying themes and messages many Americans are afraid to say.

Question 32

What impact did Trump’s 2024 election victory have on media representation?

Answer 32

It highlighted an unbalanced representation in media of radical opinions.

Question 33

What is 'changeable optimism' as described by Hannah Ritchie?

Answer 33

A positive-lensed motivation to make change.

Question 34

What is one key point from the article 'Human Progress is persistent and necessary'?

Answer 34

Improvements in nourishment, fertility rate, and technologies over time.

Question 35

What is the 'Malthusian Trap'?

Answer 35

A situation where population exceeds agricultural output.

Question 36

What does the article 'Slowing down AI is a good idea' address?

Answer 36

The need to carefully instruct AIs to prevent catastrophe.

Question 37

What is the 'alignment problem' in AI?

Answer 37

The issue of ensuring AIs are properly aligned with human values.

Question 38

What does 'Climate Optimism is good, but only when it’s right' suggest?

Answer 38

A mindset of being positive about climate change while taking action.

Question 39

Why does negativity sell in media?

Answer 39

Negativity is more evoking and incentivizes clicks.

Question 40

What is the 'Yield Gap'?

Answer 40

The barrier that less-wealthy nations have less capability to produce efficiently.

Question 41

What does the indigenous medicine wheel represent?

Answer 41

Seasons, medicines, and the cycle of life.

Question 42

What survey finding is noted about climate scientists and having children?

Answer 42

Over 1/5th are hesitant to have children due to climate concerns.

Question 43

What is a concern raised by Paul Ehrlich's 'The Population Bomb'?

Answer 43

Genuine concerns over population growth and potential views of racism.

Question 44

What does the phrase 'recalled to life' signify in A Tale of Two Cities?

Answer 44

An analogy for Dr. Manette’s character recovery from imprisonment.

Question 45

What happens to Dr. Alexandre Manette in the story?

Answer 45

He is found making shoes obsessively after being released from prison.

Question 46

Fill in the blank: The first book of A Tale of Two Cities is titled 'Book the First: ______'.

Answer 46

Recalled to Life

Question 47

What is a central theme in A Tale of Two Cities?

Answer 47

Redemption and renewal.

Question 48

What is a significant emotional impact of the characters in A Tale of Two Cities?

Answer 48

The struggle to regain identity after trauma.