# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 44
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/862 "2024-04-04T13:16:27Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > There is a Witness Tree Protection Program “I know you’re an oak tree from Arizona, but your new identity is a maple in Vermont.” ---
**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:** [April 4, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/863 "2024-04-04T15:56:53Z")
The question in the book poll mentions “good book”, but the poll questions just say “book”. Do the questions mean a “good book” ? ---
**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:** [April 4, 2024, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/864 "2024-04-04T16:27:54Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > **WildaBeast** nails it in one. It depends on the thing, and the day, and the mood that I’m in. > [@pjd](#): > > question in the book poll mentions “good book”, but the poll questions > just say “book”. > Do the questions mean a “good book” ? Good question. I have portions of several different books in my head. Aside from the fact that they’re all only portions, whether any of them would be remotely worth trying to publish is another question entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/865 "2024-04-04T17:29:57Z")
I couldn’t choose any of the book poll options. I would not rule out ever writing a book someday, but I do not currently have one “inside me.” ---
**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:** [April 4, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/866 "2024-04-04T17:46:33Z")
I have a broad outline of a book, and about (on a file _somewhere_) 20-30 pages written with a semi-complete outline and the hook / story / conclusion synopsis. It was a start of an _explicitly_ NOT good book. A decade or so ago a friend lent me a trashy men’s adventure novel, and it was junk, albeit kinda fun junk if you like that sort of thing. And my response was “I could do better!” And spent a few weeks working on it. But figured while it was easy to write, I was cringing at it in doing so. Now that it’s so easy to self-publish on Amazon, I could always go back to it (with a pen name, dear god!) and try to make a few bucks off it, but, well, there’s always something better to do. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/867 "2024-04-04T18:13:58Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I have portions of several different books in my head. Aside from the fact that they’re all only portions, whether any of them would be remotely worth trying to publish is another question entirely. Adding, too late to edit: I think a couple might be worth publishing, if I ever do the huge amount of work needed to first finish them, and then get them edited. I don’t know whether I’m ever going to do that. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/868 "2024-04-04T18:44:21Z")
“Good” I guess is relative. I wrote a mystery that I didn’t try hard to get published, but the family members Iwrote it for claimed to enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/869 "2024-04-04T20:00:53Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > “Good” I guess is relative…the family members Iwrote it for claimed to enjoy it. Literally. mmm ---
**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:** [April 4, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/870 "2024-04-04T20:44:54Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > “Good” I guess is relative. I wrote a mystery that I didn’t try hard to get published, but the family members Iwrote it for claimed to enjoy it. Oh yeah! I did finish a children’s story a few years ago; and showed it to a couple of friends, who liked it. But the friend I particularly wanted to illustrate it never got to it; so it’s never gone any further. I am in no way up to doing the illustrations, and it does need them, and hers would particularly suit. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/871 "2024-04-04T20:49:31Z")
I’ve thought for awhile of collecting the best of the many Civil War history essays I’ve written over the years into a book. I’ve also thought of writing a collection of Sherlock Holmes pastiches; I’ve written three such short stories already, but would probably need to write at least two or three more to have a book of respectable length. Someday, maybe…! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/872 "2024-04-04T22:05:10Z")
I have a couple broad outlines and even first chapters. But I was the primary author of a D&D supplement, and a US treasury desk manual- which last was quickly reworked due to law changes, so It only lasted a year, and it was only for one District, and I didnt even get to put my name on it. Of course the supplement was quickly outdated by edition changes. So nothing I wrote was of lasting import. We do have a couple great authors here, however. ---
**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:** [April 5, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/873 "2024-04-05T02:32:53Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > EyeAndyEeeey. To the extent that I hear it at all; which isn’t really hearing it, but I do find it a hair easier to read names I can pronounce (or think I can pronounce) so there is some connection in my head to pronunciation. Coming back to this: I realized that that’s wrong. What I’m actually “hearing”, when I don’t think about it, is Eye Andy Yiiii! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/874 "2024-04-08T02:32:45Z")
I used to think I could write a book, given enough time. Then I started trying, and I discovered that I can’t. I managed a couple of decent short stories years ago, but that was apparently it. I have a great deal of respect for those who can and do write well. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/875 "2024-04-08T15:37:58Z")
What’s the difference between “Yes. Did not need to travel to see it” and “Yes. Did not travel to see it” in the eclipse poll ? ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/876 "2024-04-08T15:40:21Z")
I’m in the path of about 70% totality. I’m not driving up to Erie to get a better view. In fact, with the current cloud cover, I’m glad I’m not wasting 3 hours in a car to get a “better” view. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/877 "2024-04-08T15:46:37Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > What’s the difference between “Yes. Did not need to travel to see it” and > “Yes. Did not travel to see it” in the eclipse poll ? When I wrote it the former was for people who are already in the direct path, and the latter for people who are just going to watch it from wherever they are already, but yeah, that’s unclear. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/878 "2024-04-08T16:13:11Z")
I did not travel; will watch the partial eclipse from my current location. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/879 "2024-04-08T16:39:47Z")
I’m staring at the sun right now to prepare. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/880 "2024-04-08T17:10:42Z")
I watched the eclipse yesterday, because I don’t like crowds. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/881 "2024-04-08T17:16:23Z")
For the Widget endorsed by those you hate/love, I answered as best I can, but was a bit torn. Because, using Xitter’s recent actions as an example, you could have a widget endorsed UNWILLINGLY by a politician or other hated public figure, and I’d still use it. For example, if Musk/Trump suddenly endorsed my favorite brand of lightbulbs, and the manufacturer went online and said “We’ve never donated to this chump, never wanted to be associated with this Chump, and hate everything they stand for!” it _could_ be both the first and last categories. Still, I voted for the non-endorsed option at the middle of the price road in the spirit of the poll - if Trump/Musk endorses (and likely benefits) from something, and all else is equal, yeah, I’d pay a bit more for something neutral, but I’m not financially secure enough to pay _substantially_ more just because it’s endorsed by someone I respect. Sometimes, yes, but rarely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=43) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=45)