# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380 "2022-09-28T11:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 254
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5064 "2023-06-23T17:07:58Z")
For the news coverage poll (500 vs 5 lost at sea), I voted against the trend to stay with the 5. Why? Because when I look at the major news networks as mentioned in the OP, they’re chasing clicks/views, and my job is to sell the news. Which doesn’t mean I bury the news on the 500, but I do honestly know how humans react to drama. 500 people lost at sea in an effort to reach a better life is (terribly) common news these days. And while it’s absolutely not a “no one cares” moment, it generates a minor blip for most people. But a “real life” submarine drama with tinges of Hollywood? Yeah, it’s a no-brainer on the commercial/business level, even if it’s a head-scratcher about stupid humans on the moral level. I really, _really_ wanted to vote for ‘stay with the 500’, and maybe could convince myself that by going the route less travelled I could make a go of it… but I would have been dishonest with myself. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5065 "2023-06-23T22:14:58Z")
Is it really an either-or situation? Why can’t I cover both stories? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5066 "2023-06-24T00:18:17Z")
You can cover both stories, but you won’t have time to cover each one in depth. And then, the producer or editor has to choose which one gets priority for viewing/reading. None of this determines whether or not I, the reader, choose to follow the story. But when a story is being shoved at me on every news site, and social media, I’m much more likely to become interested because I can’t help but pick up some knowledge of it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5067 "2023-06-24T14:16:49Z")
At the risk of being massively whooshed by **Velocity** , highly surprised that “The British comedy troupe” was _not_ an option for the python poll. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5068 "2023-06-24T14:28:08Z")
My lawns are all irregularly shaped, New England lots sometimes being that way, and I will often mow a mix of parallel lines, concentric polygons, and whatever. And it often changes from mow to mow because I get bored. Random would be weird and would take a long time, especially the part where you stop to roll the dice or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5069 "2023-06-24T14:42:02Z")
Ditto. Exactly the same. There are parts i usually do in parallel lines, parts i usually do concentrically, and parts where i mix it up depending on my mood and how long the grass is. But I’ve never mowed randomly. That might be good for a robot that isn’t trying to finish and do something else, and has poor judgement. But it would be a bizarre choice for a human. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5070 "2023-06-24T14:44:12Z")
My favorite Marx brother? Karl. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5071 "2023-06-24T16:04:04Z")
> [@peccavi](#): > > Why a duck? Because they’re heavier than witches? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5072 "2023-06-24T16:11:04Z")
With my legal experience so far, and with some crackerjack law clerks to help me, I think I could actually do fairly well on SCOTUS. With my political experience, love of history and interest in public policy, I don’t think I’d be a total embarrassment as POTUS, but I’m sure it’s a much tougher job than SCOTUS would be. Still, I’d welcome the chance to make a difference, help people, serve my country and push for the laws and policies I support (not to mention finding a place in the history books myself). I did some acting in high school and college, had fun and got good reviews. Other than possible difficulties in memorizing dialogue with my much older brain now, I’m sure I could act again. I’ve had some relationships end on less than ideal notes, but I can’t say I’ve ever had my heart broken. I usually knock two or three times. > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > When we flew to Sydney for our honeymoon, **Mrs Magill** had enough airline miles to get us business class tickets. It was mice. Talk about cramped seating! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5073 "2023-06-24T16:53:35Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I tend not to leave voice messages if a business doesn’t answer their phone directly. > > I’ve likely called them during a quiet moment when I have all the information I need in front of me, have in mind what I need to ask, etc. I don’t need them calling me back when I’m doing and thinking about something else. > > Plus, I block all numbers that aren’t already in my contact list, so their call is going to go to _my_ voice mail, and the game of tag is on. > > Answer your phone or you don’t get my business. That is really narrowing down your options. So if you need a plumber or electrician you only use big companies that have a staff to answer phones? Because the most reliable contractors I use are small operations with one or two people. Maybe the spouse answers the phone. More often than not I have to leave a message. That’s not even taking into account doctors offices. Often you can get someone live on the scheduling line but for clinical staff or refills I have to leave a message. For that poll I put other. I give my name and number, the reason for the call, then my name and number again. I often miss the number when I hear a message so I’m happy if someone gives the number again. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5074 "2023-06-24T20:55:48Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > My favorite Marx brother? I was thinking about my old pal, Tim, but he’s not very well known. I voted for Harpo. Though Groucho’s wit is beguiling, it might also become tiring. My mowing was usualy once around the edge of everything and then parallel lines where I could. The steep hill in the back yard had to be parallel lines going across because there is no way on this earth to give me the strength I needed to go up and down. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5075 "2023-06-24T21:00:47Z")
I’m fond of @Exapno_Mapcase. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5076 "2023-06-24T21:00:47Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > There are parts i usually do in parallel lines, parts i usually do concentrically, and parts where i mix it up depending on my mood and how long the grass is. Yup. And it has something to do with how it works best to mow around the obstacles in parts of the lawn. And it can depend on the mower. The current one is a mulching type, and works equally well in either fashion. I used to have one that expelled the cut grass sideways; and I’m often mowing over-long grass. I had to use that one cutting in circles with the grass chute aimed outwards; because if I went back and forth in tall grass the mower would keep jamming up on the band of grass it had just expelled. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5077 "2023-06-24T21:06:25Z")
That appears to be a bit non-sequiturial ! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5078 "2023-06-24T21:34:02Z")
Ah, but it’s not. > [@Wherefore, Exapno Mapcase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherefore-exapno-mapcase/403939/7): > > Here’s the Bosda thread if you want to plow through it: [Bosda’s Anagram. Guess my name.](http://208.100.26.199/sdmb/showthread.php?t=373674) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5079 "2023-06-24T21:56:39Z")
Harpo’s wife’s name was Susan. Do we share a connection? ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5080 "2023-06-24T22:37:21Z")
Yeah, I remember the first time, years ago, that I really looked at Exapno-Mapcase’s handle and figured it out. I remember very little of the Russian I studied in college, but I still know the Cyrillic alphabet! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5081 "2023-06-24T23:48:09Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > You can cover both stories, but you won’t have time to cover each one in depth. And then, the producer or editor has to choose which one gets priority for viewing/reading. None of this determines whether or not I, the reader, choose to follow the story. But when a story is being shoved at me on every news site, and social media, I’m much more likely to become interested because I can’t help but pick up some knowledge of it. Not always but usually it’s very evident why one story is pushed rather than another. The elements that make it a compelling story are easy to see. Mostly it’s our (the viewing public) fault. Whenever someone asks “Why is story A being reported more than story B” I always think to myself “Why can’t you see it?” ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5082 "2023-06-25T00:06:57Z")
Depends on whether you can describe any of my hidden distinguishing marks (or marx, as the case may be). ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5083 "2023-06-25T00:30:51Z")
I thought we weren’t going to talk about your Cyrillic tattoos. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=253) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=255)