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AVMA Take 2
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Yes, it's another round of that classic guessing game - Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract [or any combination thereof]. This effort - '03/'04 should address any queries, but then again, may just serve to confuse and baffle which some might say is the point of the game. Patience, integrity and a decent search engine may be useful ....
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We apologise for the short break in service
[Boolbar] Let's do the show right here? - NO - not 'do'
[Tuj] Et lux erat? - NO
[Chalky] Where the spiders are? - NO
Is this a custom or tradition linked with a particular location?
Race rather than nation related?
[Chalky] Custom/tradition - I certainly hope not
[Software] Race v Nation - a bit of both (depends on your pov), but I'd still answer NO to either.
An area which covers part/all of more than one country?
Would you characterize this as a negative phenomenon or experience?
Is this connected with death?
Progress of a sort
[Dujon] >1 country? - NO
[cfm] Negative? YES (phenomenon or experience? - NO)
[Chalky] Connected with death - YES
Does it involve deliberate killing of humans?
[CdM] You have deaded me? - YES *applause*
Is it a method of killing humans?
[cfm] Method of Killing? - NO
The Black Plague?
(I seem to have mashed up "Black Death" and "bubonic plague." Abomination!)
The death penalty?
[Quendalon] Bubonic Death? - NO
[CdM] Judicial killing? - NO
(Remember - associated with a specific location) - let me re-answer Tuj's earlier question - the association is not a specific country, but is in a specific country. Also, I should probably have answered Phil's question about Politics a bit more positively - there is a link, but that's not the essence of the answer.
Is this a mass graveyard?
Is the geographic region (in) North America?
[Chalky] Mass Grave? - NO *a little ripple*
[Quendalon] Norteamericano? - NO
Associated with a specific historical event?
[Quendalon] Specific historical event? - YES *some relieved applause*
Did it take place in Asia?
Did the historical event occur before 1800?
A WW1 Cemetary?
Named after a person?
[Phil] Asian? - YES *more relieved applause*
[Boolbar] pre-1800? - NO
[Chalky] Rows of crosses?- NO
[Quendalon] eponymous? - NO
Did the killings involve firearms?
A shot in the dark.
Getting warm
[Quendalon] Shots in the dark and light? - YES
The My Lai (Pinkville) Massacre?
I was briefly sure that the answer had to be the My Lai massacre because INJ started this AVMA on its 45th anniversary. Then I was convinced that was wrong because of the lack of a P-word. Then googling revealed that My Lai was codenamed "Pinkville", which I hadn't known. So now I am convinced I am right again. :-)
Ha! I was waiting for that.
[CdM] My Lai? - NO but *considerable applause*
The Panjiayu Tragedy?
Going off to look it up
[Phil] Panjiayu? - NO
How about the Pingdingshan one then?
(good old wikipedia)
Let me follow you through wikipedia
[Phil] Pingpong? - NO (IMO it's less obscure - I didn't look it up)
Did this event take place in China?
[Phil] Sinitic? - NO
Phong Nhi and/or Phong Nhat massacres?
Yet more wikipedia for me
[cfm] Phong Not? - NO
(Bonus answer 'Massacre? - NO')
Did the historical event occur before 1920?
Did more than one person perform the actual killing?
[Boolbar] Pre 1920? - NO
[Quendalon] >1 killers? - YES *a few chuckles in the audience*
The 38th Parallel?
[Chalky] Korean? - NO
Was this a key event in a war?
In Asia. Which has been established. I think.
Aha!
[Chalky] Key event in a war? - YES *considerable applause* (and yes, Asia (not China or Korea) has been established)
So .. are we talking Vietnam then?
Which was NOT established by previous line of questioning.
or Japan?
The audience is beginning to pack bags.
[Chalky] Vietnam? - YES
[Phil] Therefore Japan? - NO
Dien Bien Phu?
Has Raak scored a lurker's victory?
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu?
... as you specifically stated earlier that this was not the name of a place.
There, that wasn't so hard, was it?
[Chalky] It is indeed The battle of Dien Bien Phu where a small French force held out for weeks against overwhelming Viet Minh forces before being comprehensively defeated. The French inability to relieve or effectively resupply the garrison spelt the end of French colonial ambitions in Indo-China.
Since I got this round as a bit of a lurker I feel disinclined to step into this quarrel, but the answer is specifically the battle, not the place.

Throws a baton in the air to see who will catch it.

Me!
Thank you NotJohn for a splendid AVMA - spookily not dissimilar to a subject that'd crossed my mind a few weeks ago - should the chair beckon.
So this is not that one, NotJohn - it's this one ..

ABSTRACT
Related to mathematics?
The #1 question on the board.
Begins with P?
Surely #2.
[NJ] And well done for not getting impatient as the team worked at getting there! Bit worried about those black-humoured audience members chuckling near the end...
Pi?
In case the previous two were both correct.
Related to the arts?
Some answers
(Quendalon) Mathematics? - NO only obliquely
(Tuj) P? - YES :)
(Gusset Login) Pi? - NO
(NotJohn) Arts? NO
Is the AOTC just one word?
Science-related?
A human invention?
Good questions
(Phil) One word answer - YES
(NotJohn) Science-related? - NO only obliquely
(Tuj) Human invention? - YES although I'd question the word 'invention'
Perfection?
[Phil] Perfection? NO *audience begins to pay attention*
Does the AOTC describe a state of being or quality?
Would the answer on the card exist in a world without humans?
(No, I don't think this question is rendered moot by Tuj's question...)
Apologies for absence -
(cfm) State of being or quality? - YES
(CdM) Exist in a world without humans? - NO :)
Is the word on the card an adjective?
Clever questioning ...
(Quendo) Adjective? - NO, not in this instance.
Is the word used in reference to animals (as opposed to homo sapiens solely)?
(Dujon) In reference to animals? - NO
Is it normally considered positive?
Is the AOTC a state of mind?
Is the word used in reference to humans?
(NotJohn) Positive? To some YES; to most, I suspect NO.
(cfm) State of mind? YES
(Quendalon) Humans? - still YES
Is the word used in reference to one gender significantly more than the other?
(Quendalon) Gender specific? - NO
any more for any more?
Linked to a particular culture?
Is it a recognised medical condition or syndrome?
Pleasure?
Associated with a particular geographic location?
Does the word on the card start with a prefix?
Pedantry
(CdM) Linked to a particular culture? - Erm ... N0 - well maybe a small 'yes' but am not sure if that's helpful. Am struggling with the culture word to be honest.
(NotJohn) Medical condition/syndrome? - NO
(Software) Pleasure? - NO.
(Tuj) Location location? - NO
(Quendalon) Prefixed word? - NO
(Phil) Pedantry? - NO but *appreciative sounds can be heard in the audience*
Related to religion?
(Quendalon) Religion-related? Could be - but not necessarily.
An attitude?
Related to philosophy?
Related to language?
(Dujon) An attitude? - YES it is. And more. *audience has perked up* .
(Quendalon) Philosophical? - if you scratch the surface, the AOTC might be ascribed to various philosophies - so I'd say more Yes than No. However, this could apply to most attitudes so my answer may not be too helpful.
(NotJohn) Language? - NO

*contemplating an earlier question by Quendalon regarding mathematics - perhaps I should have replied 'Yes, but only obliquely'*
Perfectionism?
(NotJohn) Perfectionism? - NO *audience remains perky*
Does the AOTC end with "ism" ?
Aha!
(Phil) -ism? - NO - although all three letters are contained within but not necessarily in the same order :)
Promise?
Is the word on the card a noun (in this instance)?
.. back in business

(Tuj) Promise? - NO
(Quendalon) A noun? YES indeed it is.
Perfect?
(Software) Perfect? - NO more than when Phil asked the same on 28th March :)

I chose this 'P' word because it has a succinct definition. A human trait, which we have established, which can easily be arrived at given some judicious questioning.
However, this word has another use which necessitates a change to a couple of my replies. Mathematical/Scientific/Philosophical links are rather stronger if this path to the solution is chosen.
... and what's more
... a little research tells me that this alternative use of my P word is the crux of a Subject for guessing in this very game back in 2005.
Related to anger?
Proof?
Is the 'P' silent?
(cfm) Related to anger? - NO
(Gusset Login) Proof? - NO (see my last reply to Phil)
(NotJohn) Silent P? - NO. A noisy one :)
Does the word on the card end with a suffix?
Flailing around in the dark, because frankly I'm stumped.
(Quendalon) Suffix? NO - nor an 'ology' or 'ism'

--- begins with a P and also contains the letters m, s and i within. One word. A human trait which is neither gender nor geographically related. Desirable to some but probably rather annoying for others.
This particular word has another use and is key to a scientific/mathematical/philosophical principle which was the subject for an AVMA in 2005.
Parsimony?
While I try to think of another way in.
Result!
Thank you and well played NotJohn - was hoping for an early solution today as I am in need of rescue ...
For me - Parsimony is frugality or excessive economy which was my starting point all those days ago. As for the secondary meaning - Occam's Razor was the subject of the AVMA (with the principle of parsimony at its technical core).

And I used the word 'rescue' advisedly. My daughter has just gone into early labour and I may needed at the hospital ...
*swiftly hands over baton to NotJohn on way out*
Calling Raak
[Chalky] Hope it all goes well
Yes, the mathematical and philosophical connotations did come to me after I'd thought of the word.
Now maybe I can remedy the unsatisfactory end to the previous game by suggesting that Raak gets his belated turn.
Who, me?
Er, ok then. The next is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
[Chalky] Best wishes for all three of you.
Is the animal connection human?
Any artistic connection?
[cfm] Human
[NJ] Not artistic.
Is it the act of giving birth?
[Chalky] More best wishes winging their way to you.
Is there more than one word on the card?
[Chalky] Best wishes and congratulations! Remember that "Mornington Crescent" is a lovely name for a girl or a boy.
Is the answer a phrase or saying?
[Chalky, Ms Chalky] All the best!
An intellectual process?
[Chalky] How lovely! Also you look far too young to be a grandmother. :-)]
[B] Topical waaaah!!!? No.
[Q] More than one word.
[Tuj] Not a saying?
[cfm] Not intellectual.
we are not a grandmother .. yet
Thanks for all the good wishes! Bad News - daughter poorly. Good News - 32 wk foetus staying where it is for the time being.)
Sorry to interrupt your game Raak. I have a question .. coming up shortly
More than one human being?
Is it unique?
Is it an event?
[Chalky] More than one.
[Q] Not unique.
[NJ] Not an event.
Fictional?
[Chalky] Not fictional.
A group?
[GL] Not an organised group, although the people associated with this have something in common.
Do any of the words on the card start with 'P'?
[Q] No Ps anywhere.
[Raak] To be clear, is this simply a flamboyant way of saying no to the question that was asked, or are you providing additional information to the effect that the letter 'P' does not appear anywhere on the card?
[Q] The letter P does not occur anywhere on the card.
[Raak] Excellent, thank you!
This thing in common - medical/health connections?
Any political connections?
[Chalky] No medical/health connections.
[NJ] Yes, political connections.
The Iron Lady?
[S] Ding-dong? No.
A recognized voting block that is not formally organized?
Is it associated with a specific geographical area?
[cfm] Not a voting block.
[NJ] Not really. The thing on the card is found in many places.
Anarcho-syndicalism?
[Chalky] (laughter) Absolutely not anarcho-syndicalism.
The humans involved, are they politicians?
[Q] Not politicians.
Is it a political or economic philosophy?
[NJ] Not a philosophy, although it could be said to be connected with one.
A trade agreement?
[GL] Not a trade agreement.
Is there a fiscal or financial connection?
[NJ] *applause from those members of the audience who haven't been holding their breath so long they've expired* To do with money! Yes!
Does each instance of the phrase on the card relate to more than one human?
[Q] Er....no. Each instance involves one human.
How about playing Hangman for it! Is there a Ⱙ?
(hastily withdrawing his hand from the ventriloquist's dummy) No Ⱙ.
Is there a 'V'?
Hmm. Related to both politics and money. Each instance involves one human, and the people associated with this have something in common. Could be said to be connected with a philosophy.
[Q] No V.
Connected with individual wealth?
[NJ] **applause** Yes! Very much connected with individual wealth!
Income tax?
[CdM] Not income tax.
Connected with an increase in individual wealth?
Shareholder?
Unearned Income?
[GL] *more applause* Yes, an increase in individual wealth.
[S] Not shareholders.
[NJ] *laughter* Legally speaking, it is not classified as unearned income.
Union strike benefits?
[Q] Not strike benefits.
Expenses of some sort?
[NJ] Duck houses? No.
Associated with gambling?
Connected with Banker's Bonuses?
[NJ] Not gambling.
[GL] Not merely connected, but the very words on the card! Have this fat brown envelope.
Oh, um er... right

thanks

ANIMAL and VEGETABLE
Is the animal element human?
Is the vegetable edible?
[NJ] Oh the humanity? (animal) No.
[Chalky] Just eat it? (veg) Yes
Is the AOTC food?
[NJ] Glorious food? Yes, I believe most people would classify it as food.
Marmite?
Associated with a particular culture?
[Quenda] Yeeeach? No
[CdM] regional speciality? I would say, no, but some people disagree.
Savoury - as opposed to sweet?
Is it cooked?
[Chalky] Savoury? Yes
[Quenda] Heated? Yes
Containing multiple distinct (as opposed to mixed or blended) ingredients?
Is the animal part - meat?
[CdM] Clumps o'stuff? Yes
[Chalky] meat? (animal) Yes
Is the AOTC in the form 'A and B'?
As in 'Bangers and Mash'
Is there a liquid component?
Is it a sandwich?
Is it like a proper meal - Sunday Roast or suchlike?
Is the vegetable part potatoes cut into strips and deep fried?
Sorry for the delay, I was at a friend's funeral and couldn't get to the net.
[NJ] A + B? No
[cfm] liquid? There shouldn't be, No.
[Tuj] The Earl of foods? Yes
[Chalky] A meal in itself? No, its a sandwich, see Tuj's question above.
[Raak] Do you want fries with that? No.
A hero/hoagie/submarine sandwich?
A BLT?
[cfm] One of those types? It can be
[Chalky] BLT? Yes. Have a delicious baton.
<mode=ultrapedant>So the bread was made without salt? Yuk.</mode> Sorry, once I thought of it, I couldn't keep it to myself. Sorry again.
Gosh
Thanks GL - that was a swift conclusion - probably due the early airing of the 'edible' question.

Aiming for another quickie with:

MINERAL and VEGETABLE with a pedant-sized trace of ANIMAL

Is it a tool?
[NotJohn] Tool? NO
Something made of wood held together with metal?
[Raak] Wood held with metal? NO
A geographical feature?
Is it a sandwich?
Is the vegetable part potatoes cut into strips and deep fried?
[NotJohn] Geographical feature? YES
[Tuj] Sandwich? NO :)
[Gusset Login] Stripped fried spuds? NO :)
... furthermore - it doesn't begin with P.
Is its name something-or-other forest?
[Rosie - hello:)] Something-or-other forest? NO *audience perks up*
Is its name Mount something-or-other?
[GL] Mount ...? NO
Is it in a single country?
[Chalky] Oh, you answered a question I didn't ask! Perhaps "Is it a sandwich?" should become my default question...
Is it unique?
[GL] Unique? YES
[Tuj] In a single country? YES
In Europe?
[Tuj] Europe? Oh YES indeedy
In the British Isles?
[Rosie] British Isles? YES
Is it on a hill?
Is it a range of hills?
[Raak] ON a hill? There is some undulation but contour lines indicate the AOTC isn't actually ON a hill. *audience applauds the question*
[Rosie] A range of hills? NO
A site of archaeological significance?
... nearly there
{Raak] Archaeological significance? YES! *huge cheer erupts from audience*
A henge?
A stone circle but not technically a henge?
Is it about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury?
Stonehenge?
I may be wrong but I'm not proud.
*audience on edge of their seats*
[NotJohn] A Henge? YES!
[Gusset Login] A stone circle/not technically a henge? NO - the AOTC is both
[Raak] NO ... therefore
[Quendalon] NO - not Stonehenge.
Avebury Stone Circle?
The Ring of Brodgar?
It's a win!
[NotJohn] Brodgar? Not in Scotland .. staying with my county of residence - Wiltshire - and
Phil scores a stunning lurker's victory with the correct [more-or-less] AOTC - Avebury Ring.
*gently passes neolithic baton to Phil*
,
Apols for the lurk, but every time I thought of a question, someone else had asked it. I'll make this one quick (I hope).

Mineral

Metal?
A good start...
[NJ] Metal? YES
Iron?
[GL] Iron? YES or NO, depending on the specific meaning of the question.
A manufactured item?
Stainless steel?
Unique?
But is it art?
An iron--like the kind with which one presses one's shirts?
Smaller than a telephone kiosk?
A bridge?
[NJ] Manufactured? YES
[Raak] Stainless Steel? YES, that's what it's made of *a ripple of applause*
[Quendalon] Unique? NO
[Tuj] Art? NO
[cfm] An iron? NO
[Chalky] < phone box? YES
[GL] Bridge? NO
Medical connections?
Is it smaller than a breadbox / bread bin?
Inverting the classic question.
[Raak] Medical? NO (well, a small connection, but it won't help)
[Quendalon] Smaller than breadbox? YES
Does it have any moving parts?
[NJ] Moving parts? YES
Is there one in your kitchen?
[Tuj] In my kitchen? NO. Well, there might be, but I'd move it if I were tidying up.
A tool?
[NJ] Tool? YES
Calipers?
[Software] Calipers? NO *Most of audience look slightly bemused by the handful that clapped, briefly*
A Leatherman?
(On the grounds that a Swiss Army Knife has plastic as well)
A hole punch?
[NJ] Leatherman? NO *some audience members explain to others what a Leatherman is, after which some of them make appreciative noises*
[Raak] Hole punch? NO
Does it cut?
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