Democracy is great. Or rather, as Churchill said, it’s the worst form of Government, apart from the all the others. In this system everyone gets a voice at least once every four years where you can vote for someone who will make rubbish choices on your behalf and completely ignore any views you may have during that time.
However, digital TV means we can now voice our opinion on they important issues of the day. Whether it be animal testing or the war in Iraq, your voice can be heard and your opinion registered.
For the price of text message charged at your normal rate.
This is a good thing, especially as the opinion of the people is actively solicited. That simple text message can convey a number of sentiments:
“Yes, the war in Iraq is a good thing, and our boys are doing us proud in liberating a country from a cruel dictator”
“No, the war in Iraq is a bad thing, we shouldn’t be invading other countries to support the US’s thirst for oil”
Whether you agree or disagree, at least you’re involved in the debate and are using your democratic right to express your opinion. Something your Grandmother may have burned her bra for, or something.
Why then, do people expend their energy in responding with a “don’t know”?
What possible value does this add to the debate? The are clearly plenty of people out there who are willing to spend the time and energy, not to mention the price of a text message, in telling the world that they actually don’t have an opinion either way. They actively pursue an opportunity to let us know they are bereft of an opinion. I find this staggering.
Q: Is the War in Iraq a good thing? A: I don’t know.
Q: Should we allow testing on Animals? A: I don’t know.
Q: Have you ever had an intelligent thought in your entire life? A: I don’t know.
The technology exists to identify these Don’t-knowers, and I believe they should be named and shamed. Or at the very least removed from the electoral role. I’m sure it’s these retards who result in all the spoiled ballots at each election, probably because they’ve ticked their top three candidates as they couldn’t choose a favourite.
My request is simple. If you don’t have an opinion, then please don’t fucking text in to advertise the fact!
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16 comments
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Ranting Dullard · May 18, 2006 at 7:40 am
Thank you. I am not the only one who balks at the ‘dont know’ option. Why would anyone rush to pay to express such an inane opinion?
Don’t care would be more viable.
BoyOnTop · May 18, 2006 at 8:48 am
Amongst my many many sins I have in the past run the ops of many of these tele votes both for the serious and somewhat less serious (it was sureal to once watch dear Ant and Dec change their tune to the vote results we fed real time to Aus (normally I didn’t watch, there’s only so much sin a soul can take)).
You may not be surprised to know that often these votes are heavily biased and not at all statistically valid. Particularly in the “serious” votes the total numbers usually ran into the hundreds. Even in the larger votes you had a heavy proportion that were multiple voters.
To your point I remember one entirely odd vote where we tracked one voter who seemed to be randomly voting each time, and indeed sent in over 100 of these random txts. This was a “serious” poll on the economy.
There’s naught so odd as folk.
Whats with the security code? Got some spammers lurking?
Oli · May 18, 2006 at 9:19 am
I have no opinion on this matter..
Sorry, had to do it.
Use a shorter security code, my laziness knows no bounds.
Katy Newton · May 18, 2006 at 9:27 am
I just wanted to make it clear that I don’t know whether I agree with you or not.
Admin comment by Mr Angry · May 18, 2006 at 1:07 pm
BoT/Oli – yup, been spammed incessantly over the last week, 100+ and counting, luckily I’ve caught most but testing the image verification for a week to see how it goes. No spam so far.
Katy – Thank you. I don’t know if I’m surpised or not.
Oli · May 18, 2006 at 2:01 pm
I wouldnt mind but sometmies I have to refresh a few times before I get one I can read =p
At least you know your sites becoming popular,
But not as popular as http://ramblingsofa.. nah I aint that bad =D
I spent nearly half an hour searching for westwood is a twat last night and pulled up half a dozen virii, will take another shot at it tonight but ive gotta start tidying up/removing valuables, there will be 50+ young female student nurses entering my abode on friday night, my eyes are however on this one lass from my hometown of Selby. Bit of a waste really.. ahh well my flat mates can make use =D
Four Dinners · May 18, 2006 at 2:43 pm
You’re security code reminds me of a trip I once took. Some kind of acid I think….
I was once stopped in the street by someone conducting a survey into something or other. They asked 40 questions and I replied “I don’t know” to each and everyone of them. “I don’t know” has its uses, but by text????!!
nf girl · May 18, 2006 at 4:11 pm
I have no comment because I don’t want to get sworn at for not having an opinion.
The security code makes me feel like I am in an episode of 24. With big guns.
karilyn · May 18, 2006 at 4:59 pm
true the secruity code is a acid flash back dude ….
i don’t know dude, at least it’s honest answer as some of the eejits could not form an opinion on favorite flavor of milkshake.
Stewart Paterson · May 18, 2006 at 9:00 pm
One day these security code things will throw up a real word a la personalised numberplate language and give me a fright.
I just had to type in “KUr3qpr” one day it will throw up “P1G4ker” or something.
Back to topic. Apparantly the phone in polls for PopIdol and the like are cery predictable once the first lot are in, to the extent that the finalist is known in advance.
The simpler explaination tho is that the finalist is chosen in advance, the phone polls are ignored and the premium phone rates paid by the voters are a nice little earner
Admin comment by Mr Angry · May 18, 2006 at 9:29 pm
I’m getting the distinct impression people aren’t liking the security code thing.
I may have to take it off when I get back if you lot keep on bloody moaning…
But if the spammers get back on here and you never hear from me again, due to a Viagra overdose you’ll only have yourselves to blame…
Katy Newton · May 18, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Don’t you like spammers? Don’t you like those oh-so-authentic comments like:
“Great blog! I just found this terrific site that I think you might like:
http://www.saygoodbyetomrfloppy.com
It basically talks about men’s potency aids and stuff.”
Admin comment by Mr Angry · May 19, 2006 at 7:49 am
Some of my favourites:
“Best site I see!”
“You are good blog”
“Very information, good future for you”
“So interesting site, Thanks!”
“Your site is very cognitive, you will have a good future!”
“Very good site, thanks for author!”
“I just dont have anything to say right now”
All of which are followed by about 20 links to stuff from drugs to viagra to casino’s.
Cunts, the lot of ‘em
The Editor · May 21, 2006 at 9:15 pm
RE spam what if its anonymous and has no links to anything? “great site keep up the good work” “What is point see you again”
Muppetlord · May 22, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Alternatively go here – http://english-43039664397.spampoison.com/
Copy and paste a bit of code into template…I putit on ages ago and haven’t had any spam….(touches wood).
Admin comment by Mr Angry · May 23, 2006 at 11:14 am
Editor – I’ve never had an anonymous comment!
Muppetlord – Had a look but not seen how it works, did you have spam before it went up?