A comment on Polls

[Ryan]

I could be mistaken (since after all I am slightly off my game as of late) but it seems that all of the polls show results before and after the user votes.


While I can see the benefits in this, I can also see how this might lead to peer pressure and a "go with the crowd" sort of mentality.
In the US, voting is entirely private, you do not know who everyone else voted for and they don't know who you voted for. The only time you're made aware of the general vote is after it has been entirely collected. While I am unaware of how voting is conducted in other republics around the world, as I am not into politics that much, I feel that this system of voting promotes each voter to think for him or herself.

While I understand that here on the SPOTM we call ourselves a tribe, from all that I have gathered so far, we also pride ourselves on our ability to think, and thinking others' thoughts is not thinking at all.

I'm also unaware whether or not the reason for this issue regarding polls is based in the structure of the new forums, or if it was designed that way.


In either case, I'm interested in hearing others' opinions on the subject of polls.


Do you feel swayed to vote with the masses when you see an alarming majority in one field? Do you feel swayed to vote against it for the same reason? When you have no opinion at all, do you vote anyway?

Please share your thoughts!

[americanarchon]

Sometimes, I just like to play devil's advocate. But I seriously consider most polls when I vote.

[Joey]

You can decide if other people can see the results before they vote. Most of us just chose to leave it as is, but you can check a box if you want to.

[nickgreyden]

Mar 6, 2010 9:43:21 GMT -5 americanarchon said:

Sometimes, I just like to play devil's advocate. But I seriously consider most polls when I vote.

what he said

[Rob]

I don't allow other people's votes on here influence how I vote. Plus, most of the polls are silly things like "Pirates vs. Ninjas" or "Cyrus vs. Bieber" so I don't think this is a matter to be concerned with yet.

[Breepop]

I don't really see it as an issue... if no one knows who has voted for what, then how can you feel pressured? Your vote is completely anonymous. I can see how someone could be a little pressured to "go with the crowd," but that pressure is off when they remember no one will know if they went with the crowd or did their own thing.

Really, it's just like voting in the US. They do exit polls and stuff, and people lie all the time in those. Yeah, they feel pressured to vote for someone publicly, but they still voted for someone else when they didn't feel pressured.

[mashuga31]

I just vote for whatever i think is the better choice. Even if i'm pressured. I do have a quick question though - How do you post a poll, i can't find it nvm found it lol

[Nakor]

I think this is only really true when there's something in it for whatever wins.

For example, in a book club where you're trying to decide which book to read next, you might not vote for one you like because it has so few votes you'd be 'wasting' your vote. You might instead vote for the one you like most out of those that appear to have a good chance.

However, in a poll about which book you think is best -- with no consequences based on which wins -- you'll vote honestly even if there are no votes for your choice yet.