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1. Clear some room on your bookshelf. Later this fall, we’ll be releasing our first hardcover book: The Mental Floss History of the World. As part of the promotional tour, I’ve been told that Mangesh and I will be hosting a pub trivia night in November somewhere in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I don’t have a good feel for how many readers live within commuting distance of Brooklyn, or what percentage of that population would consider spending their Tuesday evening answering questions from strangers in a bar. But let us know if you might drop in. I don’t have a fear of public speaking, but I have a fear of speaking to an empty room.
2. Since my wife gave birth to our first child in July, I’ve gained newfound respect for two groups in particular. They are:
• Nurses. (It’s not like this was a group I held in low esteem, but I just never realized just how great a good, caring nurse can be. Especially for someone like me, who hadn’t held a baby since 1988.)
• Parents of Twins, Triplets, Etc. (We recently met a couple who have triplet two-month-old girls. I’m now officially not allowed to complain about a lack of sleep.)
If we’re making a most admired list, who would you add?
3. Millions of Americans watched various politicians make speeches during the Democratic and Republican conventions. Rather than risk ruining our little happy hour by getting overtly partisan, let’s talk about great oration. What’s the best address you’ve ever witnessed? (If you’ve never seen one in person, how about your favorite all-time speech?)
Three questions is plenty for today. Hope at least a few of you can make it to pub trivia night. We’ll try to get a few of these going throughout the country (and the world—if you live abroad and want to run a mental_floss trivia night, let’s make it happen.)
1- I’d be there, but I live in Denver. That’s a hike.
2- How about EMT workers? Still medical, but they deserve a mention.
3- Can I say Obama’s speech last week? I was one of the 84,000 inside the stadium. If that’s not allowed, my dad (a cop) gave a killer assembly to my elementary school.
posted by Lindsey on 9-5-2008 at 3:20 pm
I will be there for trivia! I live in Greenpoint so easy commute
posted by Daniel on 9-5-2008 at 3:25 pm
I’ll be there! What bar? What date?
posted by carolyn on 9-5-2008 at 5:17 pm
I think I’ll stop by for a beer. Are there prizes involved?
As for best speech, I saw Henry Rollins years ago and was incredibly impressed.
posted by Kevin from Queens on 9-5-2008 at 5:21 pm
1. A book tour! Where else will you be going?
2. Any and all employees in state hospitals. Seeing people like that would make my heart twist and frighten me. Also, the guys that sell me a slice of pizza at 2 a.m.
3. Molly Ivins at a Green Party fundraiser in 2001. She was a great broad. She was followed by Jim Hightower & Ralph Nader - though I feel weird mentioning that after reading the mania blog. Those are my favorites for which I’ve been in attendance.
recaptcha: did Asylum
posted by nikki on 9-5-2008 at 5:45 pm
2. Firemen - the guys who are going into when everybody else is running out
pretty much everyone you see featured on the show “Dirty Jobs” that shows what people like farmers, coal miners, sewer workers, oil drillers, and many others do so the rest of us can have comfortable lives.
and above all, our troops
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 9-5-2008 at 6:07 pm
1. Living (and working) in Nebraska, Brooklyn is just a little bit out of my way. Which is too bad.
2. Anyone and everyone associated with the Special Olympics.
3. In 1975, I attended a lecture by Madalyn Murray O’Hair. It was fascinating, and I still regularly recall one bit of wisdom she imparted: Your body IS a temple, so be sure and wash your hands BEFORE you go to the bathroom.
Peace.
posted by Ron from Nebraska on 9-5-2008 at 6:42 pm
2. People who teach middle school.
posted by jill on 9-5-2008 at 6:53 pm
1. Would love to go but will not be able to! (drat)
2. Teachers!!! (I agree with nurses because I did 3 years towards a BSN)
3. Randy Pausch - the only lecture that made me laugh and cry. May he rest in peace
posted by JaneM on 9-5-2008 at 7:25 pm
1. If you guys ever decide to come to Milwaukee or Chicago I will be there.
2. Teachers
3. Obama’s speech at the DNC in 2004 was amazing.
posted by maggie on 9-5-2008 at 7:31 pm
2. Really good teachers.
3. Ronald Reagan. I saw him speak twice. Doesn’t get any better.
posted by Karen on 9-5-2008 at 7:56 pm
1. Won’t be coming, sorry.
2. My most admired list includes anyone who has been married for 50+ years and community college teachers
3. I heard Bono speak to a roomful of teachers in Dallas in 2005-ish, you know, about Africa, etc. It was very heartfelt and though he wasn’t the best public speaker. He was even nervous, which I found sort of endearing.
posted by Chris on 9-5-2008 at 8:04 pm
I live in NJ but it’s not too bad to get into Brooklyn for a good time.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a good speech. I heard Maurice Sendak speak in college which being a “Wild Things” fan, I was really looking forward. I was disappointed.
posted by Diane on 9-5-2008 at 8:08 pm
To add on to what PartiallyDeflected said, volunteer firefighters. Not only do they go into burning buildings to save people, they do it for free.
posted by Jenn on 9-5-2008 at 8:17 pm
1) Bon chance. I’ll have to miss it, but if ya’ll bring that tour south of the mason-dixon, let us know.
2) The guy with the push broom at my city dump.
3) Halloween night, 06′, Little Rock, AR. The lead gentleman and Simmons impersonator from “Mini-Kiss”, the all little person Kiss cover band, gave a rousing speech at the end of their set about being able to do anything you put your mind to. It was profanity-laden and delivered with the intensity of an intervention. And we BELIEVED.
posted by Boggy Creek Creature on 9-5-2008 at 8:27 pm
A book tour, eh? You guys better head south! Only, I wouln’t come now because it’s the dreaded hurricane season. You simply MUST come see the southern states though…Please? (:
I admire various people for various reasons, including some of the ones mentioned here, but I’m not going into specifics because I know some people don’t feel the way I do and I don’t wish to stir up controversy here. I’m a peaceful person! (:
As far as speeches go, the only big-name person I’ve ever heard speak was Eddie Iizzard and that was his comedy act and not really a speech. So, I guess he’s the best I’ve ever heard.
Can’t wait to catch you guys on the book tour! [I hope!]
posted by Myleti on 9-5-2008 at 8:35 pm
1. Bring the tour to the midwest and we’ll see. How about bring the book tour to the odd landmarks near your readers’ homes?
2. Anyone who works retail - especially grocery. Do you know how downright nasty people in our society are?
3. Reagan in ‘91. Colin Powell in ‘05. Historically? Churchill. In retrospect I think it was a drill sergeant who was most inspiring.
posted by Jim on 9-5-2008 at 9:26 pm
1. when and where?
posted by morgan on 9-5-2008 at 9:27 pm
1. Aw man! Even If I could make it there from Washington, I’m a minor! No fair! If you need me I’ll be pouting in the corner with my binkie. *humf!*
2. Caregivers of the elderly and disabled. They spend all day worrying about the needs of their clients while at the same time making sure they’re comfortable and happy. I really admire that kind of patience.
3. I haven’t been witness to a lot of speeches or addresses, but one speech I remember that stuck with me is a guest speaker at my high school in sophomore year. I completely forget his name, but I do remember him talking about growing up as a short person, and how he dealt with it. Being vertically impaired myself, it helped me become more comfortable walking around at everyone’s chest level lol.
posted by heather on 9-6-2008 at 12:18 am
1. You should head west on your book tour. San Francisco is the perfect place for your tour :)
2. The two guys who make up the best shrimp burrito in the Bay area. They are smiling no matter what day it is and they always know my name and my order and always with a smile.
3. The best speech I saw was at UC Davis. The teacher was an 85 year old lady who had done various jobs such as owning a Christmas tree farm to being a nun for 17 years. She said hey if I can do these crazy things, then you can accomplish anything. She made a believer out of me!
Please come west…PLEASE :)
posted by Shannon on 9-6-2008 at 1:32 am
1. portland!!! please?!?!
2. i have two. teachers, especially the ones who will go out on a limb for you. and old people (not pc, i know) who are far more interesting and fun to talk to than most people give them credit for.
posted by meag on 9-6-2008 at 2:48 am
2. Again with childbirth and nurses:
I had eaten a huge meal prior to my scheduled C-section, I ate all the hospital meals, had yummy ethnic take-out brought in, and after five days of stuffing myself and three days of powerful laxatives and no results, I was desperate. Kudos to the kindhearted nurse who answered my sobbing plea for an enema with a warm hug and: “Of course honey, and don’t cry, you’re my third one tonight!”. Now that IS a caring profession!
posted by Mare on 9-6-2008 at 10:11 am
#3 - Kurt Vonnegut, early 80’s - but it wasn’t political. Similary, Nikki Giovanni, 1992
posted by Val on 9-6-2008 at 10:14 am
1. I checked my schedule, and I definitely won’t be in Brooklyn that Tuesday.
2. I admire people who take risks; anyone who leaves a happy, secure place to help others or do something they know is more fulfilling or better in the long-term, for instance.
3. I am a big fan of politics, and speeches in particular. I’ve seen lots of good ones lately, but I’m sticking with Obama’s DNC address in 2004.
posted by adrienne on 9-6-2008 at 10:48 am
1. Sorry can’t make.. will be buyin the book though.
2. How bout electricians on service calls , keepin the lights on, and in some cases..turnin the ventilator back on for grandma!!!
3. I saw a one man show a few years back. It was John Ashton doin the life and times of Edgar Allen Poe. still remember it!!
posted by Jesse on 9-6-2008 at 11:38 pm
1. I ADORE Greenpoint but will unfortunately be out of town. Are you going to Black Rabbit? I know they have trivia on Tuesdays (and offer free absinthe shots if you get bonus questions right)
2. I’m probably 5th-ing volunteer firefighters, and will add cleaning ladies/janitors. I don’t think I could deal with half the shit they put up with.
posted by Debbie on 9-7-2008 at 7:29 pm
I’d go, esp. if it’s at the Black Rabbit. I’ve played trivia there before and it’s always a good time.
posted by Kelly on 9-8-2008 at 9:32 am
As I learned from Rocky & Bullwinkle, the place is actually called Greenpernt.
posted by BassMan on 9-8-2008 at 10:10 am
2. Is it bad if I post my own career? I will anyways :P Dispatchers, they deal with all the screaming calls for help and make sure the proper people arrive to your emergency, while rarely getting to hear the thanks that responding units recieve, along with being the first line of support for medical assistance (through emergency medical dispatch).
posted by Doug on 9-8-2008 at 6:21 pm
1. Please come south.
2. Firefighters. I’m probably a bit biased because my granddad was a volunteer fire chief, my dad is a division fire chief, and my future husband is a volunteer fire captain.
3. Does a chant count as a speech? Hearing the 9/11 rescue/clean-up workers chant USA brings me to tears to this day.
posted by m on 9-9-2008 at 4:16 pm