# 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:** 69
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1362 "2023-01-10T20:14:46Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I need an “other” choice. What would Miles Vorkosigan do? How about Cordelia Naismith? Samuel Vimes? I was searching for “What would Brian Boitano do?” and was disappointed it was left out. (That’s a South Park reference for those who don’t get it). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1363 "2023-01-10T20:16:52Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > In the album poll are we counting “bootleg” copies? My mom bought _Dark Side of the Moon_ when she was in college. Then when _I_ was in college I copied her vinyl album to cassette. So I have a copy of it, but it isn’t an official copy, and my copy definitely didn’t count towards that sales number. As the poll creator, I’d say it counts; I’m more interested in whether you had a copy of (and, thus, likely listened to) that album, rather than whether you made an actual purchase of it. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1364 "2023-01-10T20:19:00Z")
The _Calvin & Hobbes_ vs. _Bloom County_ poll was a hard one for me, as those are two of my three “Holy Trinity” comic strips from the 1980s (the third being _The Far Side_). But, C&H gets my vote, as I think it was the most consistently funny. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1365 "2023-01-10T20:31:44Z")
Realistically I know it’s hard to find a romantic partner. I commented to my husband the other day that it’s one of the most important decisions most people will ever make, especially if you decide to have kids. So that’s hard. That takes a lot of effort for most people. For me… I just kind of fell into it. Met the perfect man at age 19. Sometimes it’s work, but I know it’s not nearly as much work as it _should_ be. We’re just naturally compatible. It’s kind of uncanny. So for me specifically, dream job is harder. I’m working what’s pretty close to my dream job if you ignore the structural implosion taking place at my agency, but that took a crap ton of work. Graduate school, entry level jobs, long bouts of unemployment, climbing up rung by rung, learning to manage depression and anxiety. Proving myself over the years. That took a lot of work and it still was dependent on a good bit of luck. ---
**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1366 "2023-01-10T20:50:37Z")
@WildaBeast I didn’t want to waste one of my 20 choices on -other. Originally, I had like 90 choices to go but then I found out about the limit. Maybe I will put it in the next one. @kenobi_65 Darn, I should have included The Far Side. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1367 "2023-01-10T21:45:03Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > As the poll creator, I’d say it counts; I’m more interested in whether you had a copy of (and, thus, likely listened to) that album, rather than whether you made an actual purchase of it. As one of the younger members of the board (late 40s) I’m young enough to have been part of the early iTunes generation. So while I have only 4ish of the albums on the list, I have digital singles of most of the more noteworthy singles from the majority of them. Other than replacing old cassettes with CD or digital versions, I can’t think of any time I bought a full album of almost any music in over 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1368 "2023-01-10T21:53:10Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Other than replacing old cassettes with CD or digital versions, I can’t think of any time I bought a full album of almost any music in over 10 years. You undoubtedly aren’t the only one; artists still release albums, but people consume music differently now. Below is a link to the Wikipedia list from which I pulled the list of top-selling albums; the newest of them (Shania Twain’s _Come On Over_, which, interestingly, only one or two respondents in the poll own) came out 26 years ago, in 1997. That said, selling 15+ million copies of an album is probably a function of time, as well as popularity. However, when you look at the next category on that page (10-14 million copies), there still aren’t many newer albums: there are only nine albums which were released after 1999, and only one (Adele’s _21_) was released after 2004. > **[List of best-selling albums in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums_in_the_United_States)** > > The following is a list of the best-selling albums in the United States based on RIAA certification and Nielsen SoundScan sales tracking. The criteria are that the album must have been published (including self-publishing by the artist), and the album must have achieved at least a diamond certification from the RIAA. The albums released prior to March 1991 should be included with their certified units only, as their Nielsen SoundScan sales are not complete. > Since February 2016, album certifica... ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1369 "2023-01-10T21:53:16Z")
I was reading old “Bloom County” strips a little while ago. I was shocked at how badly it has aged. A lot of jokes about Ed Meese and Caspar Weinberger. Does anybody even remember who they were? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1370 "2023-01-10T21:55:43Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > A lot of jokes about Ed Meese and Caspar Weinberger. Does anybody even remember who they were? Yes, though I am not only old, but have always paid attention to politics. Also, now I’m thinking about the wind tasting like jasper wine and sugar. 😉 [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E4YHFs7X0AE1f1J.jpg:large](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E4YHFs7X0AE1f1J.jpg:large) ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1371 "2023-01-10T21:58:40Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > (Shania Twain’s _Come On Over_, which, interestingly, only one or two respondents in the poll own) That’s me! Not only do I own it, but I’m seeing her on tour later this year. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1372 "2023-01-10T23:19:29Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > As one of the younger members of the board (late 40s) Oh, God, are we really that old? I’m 39. What does that make me? ---
**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:** [January 10, 2023, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1373 "2023-01-10T23:32:23Z")
I picked Calvin but thinking deeper I would probably say Bloom County was better but Calvin was more enjoyable. On a daily basis Calvin was more likely to be LOL funny. Bloom County was often going for an arc that didn’t always have a good daily punchline. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1374 "2023-01-10T23:33:22Z")
The magic pill makes me think of a favorite Ursula LeGuin book called Changing Planes. It’s sort of the same thing but in order to indulge, you must be in an airport, seated at a gate, and achieve a certain amount of boredom/sleepiness. And then you change planes of existence to another world. After about 10 minutes, you come back. No drugs, just boredom. I said I’d do it less than 10 times. Possibly only once. And I picked Calvin & Hobbes. Yes, I do remember Ed Meese and Weinburger, but I’d rather not. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1375 "2023-01-10T23:34:58Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I was reading old “Bloom County” strips a little while ago. I was shocked at how badly it has aged. A lot of jokes about Ed Meese and Caspar Weinberger. Does anybody even remember who they were? I always felt those things were inserted to be absurdist. It mostly didn’t matter what name it was. I enjoyed Monty Python and laughed at the jokes even though I didn’t know late 1960s British politicians. The humor was understandable in context. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1376 "2023-01-10T23:40:01Z")
FWIW, Waterson always cites Bloom County as inspiration. That and Pogo came up a lot. I’ve never read it so I had to go with Calvin. I read those comics when I was a kid, and they’re still great. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1377 "2023-01-11T00:33:49Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > > [@ParallelLines](#): > > > > As one of the younger members of the board (late 40s) > > Oh, God, are we really that old? I’m 39. What does that make me? Someone who isn’t allowed on my lawn. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2023, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1378 "2023-01-11T00:41:21Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Oh, God, are we really that old? I’m 39. What does that make me? Per [Doper Demographics - #6 by engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-demographics/970834/6), you’d be in the top 10% of the youngest members of the board. My bracket only adds another 17%. So yes, we are so very, very old. But this being the world we live in… [![](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/happy-birthday-meme-from-the-big-lebowski/btV_HNFQVJ2ydHmQAJKT5H4XhMU=/800x774/filters:format(webp):quality(80)/granite-web-prod/db/23/db23fdb2e4594a69b23b9c7fa1576ae3.png) ](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/happy-birthday-meme-from-the-big-lebowski/btV_HNFQVJ2ydHmQAJKT5H4XhMU=/800x774/filters:format(webp):quality(80)/granite-web-prod/db/23/db23fdb2e4594a69b23b9c7fa1576ae3.png) ---
**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:** [January 11, 2023, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1379 "2023-01-11T00:55:14Z")
Bloom County was great, but there were times when Breathed could have edited himself a little better, I think. The strip could be a bit talky sometimes, and (though it’s been years since I’ve read it) I recall occasionally losing the thread of whatever his point was supposed to be. C&H achieved greater depth with greater simplicity. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1380 "2023-01-11T01:26:48Z")
I consider Bloom County and Calvin & Hobbs to be equivalent in quality. It’s like asking are bananas or oranges better. When I am in a mood for a banana, bananas are better. When I’m in a mood for an orange, oranges are better. Because they are equal in my eyes, I previewed the current vote and voted for the one that was behind, just to equalize things. Besides, Bloom County taught me a valuable lesson. The difference between a politician and a statesman. [![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fJ22So0pDSo/TIO02FC-dwI/AAAAAAAAAYY/jb_j3aKMuYI/s1600/opusstateman.JPG) ](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fJ22So0pDSo/TIO02FC-dwI/AAAAAAAAAYY/jb_j3aKMuYI/s1600/opusstateman.JPG) ---
**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:** [January 11, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1381 "2023-01-11T16:00:58Z")
Who is “Buckaoo Bonzai”? Does he grow miniature trees? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=68) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=70)