Today marked the end of turning on the TV after work once in a while and seeing someone like me (well, at least in background if not intelligence) astonish the world -- the Jeopardy "episode" of Ken Jennings losing was aired tonight. (some news links: the cleverly written AP news article, the insightful NY Times article that requires free registration, or NPR's ponderous audio take). I graduated from the same University as Jennings (Brigham Young University) and am also a member of the same church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and I like computers, so I have one of those vicarious connection disorders that people sometimes get with people on TV -- you know, like they way you start thinking that the local news anchors are actually talking to you with all that witty banter? And then you see them in the grocery store and almost say hello and then catch yourself when it hits that this person actually knows nothing about you?

Anyway... Jennings has been the reigning champion of Jeopardy since June 2, racking up a little over 2.5 million dollars, of which the articles note that he will be donating 10% of this to the Church, a standard for everyone who is a member.

The funny thing is that he lost in part because he does his own taxes (like me again). He didn't know which company only hires its workers for 4 months a year (H&R Block).

One more link: Here is the post on Times and Seasons about Ken's loss, including links to their interview from last August.