05-23-2003, 03:29 PM
Pretty please? With sugar on top? and sprinkles?
It's redundant! Even those that do participate are never content to just "vote"; many further make a response to say "I voted X because of (insert long, involved string of debateable logic and conclusions here)." It is obvious to me that a "Poll" on this forum is only an invitation to debate. In my opinion that "invitation" could be far better wrought with a single starting post, well written and well argued.
Polling is mindless. Polling is a tool. Polling provides the pollster with the ability to preclude thought and provide semi-suitable, leading "choices". Polling allows people to click an answer without an informed decision and thus provided numbers to back up dubious claims of "fact". Anyone who's ever taken statistics knows that polls are the single most abused form of "information gathering" in existence, bordering on propaganda the majority of the time.
Pete used to have a quote in his signature that went something akin to: "Democracy: a form of government where opinions are counted rather than weighed." This is the definitive role of a poll: They are trash. They represent closed minds, pigeon-holed options and skeened demographics. They obscure the truth. They discourage debate.
In a community that values truth, fact, debate and higher learning... what role does having that "Poll" button accomplish? I don't frequent the Lurker Lounge to digest "mental cotton candy"... I come here for the steak. Good topics don't melt in your mouth; you have to chew on them for awhile.
Out, damned spot.
It's redundant! Even those that do participate are never content to just "vote"; many further make a response to say "I voted X because of (insert long, involved string of debateable logic and conclusions here)." It is obvious to me that a "Poll" on this forum is only an invitation to debate. In my opinion that "invitation" could be far better wrought with a single starting post, well written and well argued.
Polling is mindless. Polling is a tool. Polling provides the pollster with the ability to preclude thought and provide semi-suitable, leading "choices". Polling allows people to click an answer without an informed decision and thus provided numbers to back up dubious claims of "fact". Anyone who's ever taken statistics knows that polls are the single most abused form of "information gathering" in existence, bordering on propaganda the majority of the time.
Pete used to have a quote in his signature that went something akin to: "Democracy: a form of government where opinions are counted rather than weighed." This is the definitive role of a poll: They are trash. They represent closed minds, pigeon-holed options and skeened demographics. They obscure the truth. They discourage debate.
In a community that values truth, fact, debate and higher learning... what role does having that "Poll" button accomplish? I don't frequent the Lurker Lounge to digest "mental cotton candy"... I come here for the steak. Good topics don't melt in your mouth; you have to chew on them for awhile.
Out, damned spot.
Garnered Wisdom --
If it has more than four legs, kill it immediately.
Never hesitate to put another bullet into the skull of the movie's main villain; it'll save time on the denouement.
Eight hours per day of children's TV programming can reduce a grown man to tears -- PM me for details.
If it has more than four legs, kill it immediately.
Never hesitate to put another bullet into the skull of the movie's main villain; it'll save time on the denouement.
Eight hours per day of children's TV programming can reduce a grown man to tears -- PM me for details.