Why so cruel to Gail?
Oxford University student Gail Trimble proved a star turn on University Challenge. So what do people have against her?
Even if you didn't see the programme the chances are you've heard of Gail. She's the brilliant student who manages to answer the questions before Paxo's finished asking them. On one occasion I'd swear she had the answer right before he even opened his mouth.
As a result her team, Corpus Christi, thrashed the pants off Manchester, beating them 275 to 190 - well, I say her 'team', but to be honest the others may as well not have been there.
Anyway, there we were, our small team, and the question came up: "What is University Challenge team captain Gail Trimble - "
Before the questionmaster could finish, someone from another table shouted out "an irritating hitch" (well, she didn't actually say "hitch", but it sounds a lot like it; I think you can work out the exact word yourself. And, no, it wasn't "ditch", either).
The question referred to the subject of Gail Trimble's degree, but I thought the comment was an interesting one - even more so the fact it was made by a woman. So much for the sisterhood.
What is it about intelligence that annoys people so much? Does it frighten them? Does the fact Gail Trimble is a woman have anything to do with it? Would our heckler have made the same comment had the brilliant team captain been Gordon Trimble and not Gail?
I would have thought that intelligence was something to be celebrated. We should admire people who know more than us, not criticise them because it makes us feel inadequate.
Take Jade Goody, for example. Put out of your mind the genuine tragedy of her situation for the moment, when she first appeared on the scene she was popular because of her self-confessed ignorance. Whether it was an act or not doesn't matter, she became a role model to young people because she was, or appeared to be, a bit on the thick side. That's worrying.
I suppose it's because learning is something that has to be worked at. Not learning anything is easy.
Oh, and before any of you ask, my team came third. My in-depth knowledge of film and TV proved to be a flimsy vessel indeed when we entered the geography round.
I know my general knowledge is deeply average - but it doesn't mean I developed an instant hatred of the winner. I just wish I knew as much as them.
If only we'd had a Gail Trimble on our team.
