Krieger

Yeah, it looks like our "YES" bots have finally made some ground ... I remember a couple of weeks ago (or maybe it was a month) it was down to like 9% yes.

4th Generation Atheist

Probably the results have changed because the existance of the poll has been called to the attention of people like us. Since so many freethinkers are very net-active, it doesn't surprise me that it happens this way. The results probably just give you a good idea who's seen the poll, how net-active they are, and how inclined they are to play with "bots".

Krieger

I'm certain there were/are a lot of "no" "bots" too. The "yes" votes went down from like 17% to 9% in a matter of days. Now it is back up though.

[ August 15, 2002: Message edited by: Krieger ]</p>

4th Generation Atheist

Probably quite true, and the poll results are a good measure of who's viewing the thing and using "bots" at any given point. This suggessts an experiment....

I'll bet there's a decent modeling equation at least theoretically possible for it....uh-oh....

theyeti

Anyone aware of any scientific polls that have been conducted recently? The ones that came our right after the decision were around the 90/10 split, but it would be quite significant if the numbers have changed since then.

theyeti

Nikolai

Not that I'm gona do it, but just, um, for future reference, how do you make the bots?

Arrowman

Yes, there is a bit of controversy about compulsory voting but on balance I think it is a good thing, mainly for the reason you give. A government here can at least claim a mandate from a 51% majority of the population; not 51% of whatever minority actually voted. Plus I think it's a good thing for political parties to be able to spend their time and resources selling and explaining their policies, instead of bussing people to polling stations.

Trouble is, there's a lot of stupid people out there and it worries me they have the vote.

So, make it compulsory - but make it complicated

[ August 15, 2002: Message edited by: Arrowman ]</p>

joedad

And also against those who revere gods, a goddess, goddesses, great spirits, creator mothers, etc.

joe

Alonzo Fyfe

Actually, I am going to say it is a bad thing.

(1) Ultimately, I think that the intensity with which one desires something should have an influence. If 45% of the population want something very badly, and 55% of the population do not want it but it really doesn't matter one way or the other, then the policy should go to the 45%. Intensity of desire counts in determining value.

(2) We want voters who are informed on an issue to vote. Those who are going to the polls simply because it is mandated are not likely to be informed. In fact, they are likely to be just those people who will vote merely on the basis of hearsay or because some commercial sticks in their mind. In short, elections are more likely to be won or lost by demagoguery than by rationality.

I do not see how a society is made better off by mandatory voting.

Instead, mandatory voting seems to be an example of taking a good idea off into extremes where it was not meant to go.

[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: Alonzo Fyfe ]</p>

ForeverSeeking

Yes that poll has been out for awhile

Gnothi Seauton
<a href="http://www.foreverseeking.com" target="_blank">www.foreverseeking.com</a>
<a href="http://www.foreverseeking.com" target="_blank">Forever Seeking Truth</a>