Why do I quiz?

I think of myself as a thinker. And if there is one thing that I have thought about a lot in these last few years, then it is this question- "Why do I quiz"? Or to generalize, why do quizzers quiz? Recently, at the finals of a quiz show, I was asked this question. I said that it was like any other sport, I talked about the adrenaline rush and the kick. I also said that I could probably write a piece on it. This is that piece, attempted at after a lot of mental exercise.

I began quizzing fairly late. It was in college, I guess. Coming from a schooling background in a small place where one used to top the class, it was difficult finding oneself among people who were equally good and even better at studies. Plus most of my batchmates in college were good at extracurricular activities. Some sang, some danced, some painted. Rest all played cricket. I sucked at cricket. I still suck at it. That was when I discovered that there did exist some people who quizzed, and that I was not bad at it. A string of valiant losses later, I got the hang of the thing and became a regular at the sport. Thats where a string of friendships formed that were to prove the basis of my quizzical career.

At first I quizzed because I liked the thrill, the adrenaline rush. Knowing an answer that most others didn't or answering it before others did was satisfying. Plus, if you were a lowly junior putting seniors to shame, it was an added bonus. Winning trophies competing against the best in your college (our batch itself had three good teams and there were some illustrious names in our college from the state circuit at the time) was an honour in itself.

The thrill of answering led to travels to nearby places to participate in quizzes. In this phase, I quizzed because it was an honour to represent my institution. Plus a chance to go places, sometimes with expenses paid. I quizzed because I got to know the best in the business, make their acquaintance and compete with them.

As I kept quizzing, I started winning. It started sporadically until there was a string of good results. With wins, there came money. With money, there came greed. The desire to make more money. I quizzed because there was money in quizzing and since I was good at quizzing, it was an earning opportunity. Some extra pocket money never hurt.

Somewhere in between, I realised I had developed close friendships with many other quizzers from all over the state. Some were students, some worked. All of them had one thing in common- a passion for the sport. From those friendships bloomed partnerships and healthy competitive enmity. So much so, that quizzing became a means to go and meet people, pull a leg, joke, fool around and have a good time. I quizzed because I got to meet and interact with my friends- my extended family. 

With age came the feeling of responsibility. A responsibility to try and popularise the sport that I was involved in. Also, there is some money in conducting quizzes (though organizers aren't too willing to pay you much). I quizzed, and I quizzed people, to earn some money and to popularise the sport and to encourage others, involve others so that the sport would grow. 

As I settled into a job, the need to rely on quizzes for money subsided and that is when I started enjoying quizzing fully. I just went there, answered questions, learnt some new things, criticised the QM, and generally had a good time. The after quiz parties were legendary affairs, with booze, further criticism of the quizzes, gossip about quizzers and quizmasters and sometimes a row or two. I quizzed because I enjoyed life through quizzing. 

Now, I realise, the search for the answer to this simple sounding question has been a journey- a journey that will keep going till I have the passion to quiz. The answers will change- based on experience, with age, and with changing perceptions. The search for the answer to this simple question has made me look inside, has made me introspect and maybe rethink my priorities. Once I would have dismissed it as a silly question but now I shall think twice before doing so. 

And if someone asks me the question, I can now say: "You know I wrote something about that. Let's see. Why do I quiz?..."