The knowledge generation

Sunday 29 October 2000 00:00 BST

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Which of the following is correct? You spent last night: a) watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire? b) enjoying the pub quiz c) playing Trivial Pursuit.

At a time when general knowledge tests are so popular, those aged 18-24, who like them, are remarkably ignorant. According to a Guardian/ ICM poll, less than 10 per cent are able to name works by Dickens, nor have they heard of Oliver Cromwell or the Magna Carta.

But does it matter? The assumption that accumulation of knowledge signifies intelligence is outmoded. Reproducing facts is simply a memory test. Bright young people today use computers to store information. They put their intelligence to better use, as their free-thinking and creativity show.

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