# Text your answer to. . . (I'm curious.) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 31, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-your-answer-to-im-curious/576630 "2011-03-31T14:29:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-your-answer-to-im-curious/576630/1 "2011-03-31T14:29:17Z")
The local news has one of those 4 choice questions, typically benign stuff that’s not current event related, once an hour. You’re instructed to text your choice to a number. Nothing else, no prize, no contest, no names posted, nada. I’m wondering why they bother? Is there some kind of a formula they apply to this to determine the size of their audience or track viewing trends? Why do they bother? ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-your-answer-to-im-curious/576630/2 "2011-03-31T15:56:08Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > The local news has one of those 4 choice questions, typically benign stuff that’s not current event related, once an hour. You’re instructed to text your choice to a number. Nothing else, no prize, no contest, no names posted, nada. > > I’m wondering why they bother? Is there some kind of a formula they apply to this to determine the size of their audience or track viewing trends? Why do they bother? People love giving their opinions on things. Those polls are about as scientific as creationism. Edit: Why does the news station bother? It provides “statistics” on an issue without having to spend money on an expensive Gallup-quality poll.