When I take a poll, I'm often curious as to who voted which way. Most of the time, however, I can't because most polls are not "open". I believe this is because the defalt option is closed.

Since we are all pretty much anonymous here, I'm pretty sure that if the defalt option were open, most polls would be open and that this would rarely defer anyone from taking the poll. If the thread starter thought it would, he could still choose "closed".

There are some issues where I don't want my opinion public, so if it's a public poll I don't vote. Public polls can be good, but as long as people are willing to have their votes known. It's a trade off. The extra anonymity probably encourages honesty.

I don't see any problem with the current system. The thread starter gets to choose whether the poll is public or not, and I see no problem with the default being an anonymous poll.

There are some issues where I don't want my opinion public, so if it's a public poll I don't vote. Public polls can be good, but as long as people are willing to have their votes known. It's a trade off. The extra anonymity probably encourages honesty.

I don't see any problem with the current system. The thread starter gets to choose whether the poll is public or not, and I see no problem with the default being an anonymous poll.
People are lazy. They tend to leave things on the default. And why should you be embarassed about your answers? Anyone on this forum could be my neighbor or Osama bin Ladin for all I know.

it should be left as is.
frankly i feel that the public polls can be dispensed with altogether, if a person wants to reveal how they voted they can in their post.

And why should you be embarassed about your answers?

I'm not embarassed. There are just some opinions I prefer to keep private.

Incidentally, whenever I create a poll, public or private, I usually try to include a "Don't want to vote" option of some sort.

...usually try to include a "Don't want to vote" option of some sort.

In which case why not automatically include such an option with every poll?

This would be easy enough to achieve, technically.

Why must we do away with privacy?

No.

i never understood a "dont care/dont want to vote" option.

kind of self defeating, if you ask me.

just dont vote.

The problem is that the wording of the poll question and answers has culturally-specific basis...it is not an accurate means of determining actualities.

And why should you be embarassed about your answers?

like maybe you like...like someone on this forum...and maybe by saying you like did suicides in past from poll and you dont like pikachu's (whereas everyone around you likes them)...well these sort of things get to change peoples perspective about you...so when participating in a conversation...they would be like

"oh that time you did the suicide"

or

"..oh the way you dont like pikachus!"....

As long as the results are promptly sent to the FBI, I dont see a problem with the current system.

I usually try to include a "Don't want to vote" option of some sort.
Seems strange. "I vote that I dont want to vote."

"Don't want to vote" is the polite way to say "bad question".

Or 'interested but undecided'. Does everyone have to have an opinion on everything?

No opinion = dont vote.

Maybe I shouldn't have added the last sentence. Often you have conflicting thoughts on an issue that prevent you from coming down on one side or the other.

i never understood a "dont care/dont want to vote" option.

kind of self defeating, if you ask me.

just dont vote.
i've wondered the same thing, but after thinking about it the answer is so you would know the poster seen the poll.

i never understood a "dont care/dont want to vote" option.

Every professional poll (by Gallup, for example) includes a "Don't know" or "Don't care" or "Rather not say" option. One reason is that it prevents people who would rather not respond having to lie or take a position on something they may not have a definite position on, which would skew the results. But it maintains a true accounting of the number of people polled in total. For example, if you have a poll with 3 options "Yes, No, Don't know" and 50% of people vote "Don't know", 30% vote "Yes" and 20% vote "No", then eliminating the "Don't know" option makes the poll look as if 60% of people are in the "Yes" category and 40% "No", which is misleading.

just dont vote.

There's another good reason to include a "Don't want to vote" option on sciforums: To view the poll results, you need to click on a separate link - unless you've registered a response to the poll. Therefore, including a "Don't want to vote" option lets people see the results without clicking every time on a separate link.

i never understood a "dont care/dont want to vote" option.

kind of self defeating, if you ask me.

just dont vote.

Oh?
The idea of a poll is to understand the demographics of a population. If 100 people view the poll, but only presented with two polarized options (Yes/No, +1/-1), then only those who are polarized will answer. So you could get something like 34 people for, 16 against. Your conclusion that the population is strongly in favor, which would be wrong. Half the population doesn't care (or is moderate, or whatever).

It's bad statistics.

[edit]
I see James got that before I did.

Ironically in our modern democracies the no-voters do not count.

in belgium, voting is compulsory.
in 2 months when i have my citizenship, ill have to vote....even if i live in the united states, i will have to travel to the belgian embassy or consulate nearest me, or risk losing my status!

Cool...once you get your belgium shit you can move to any EU country and do whatever.

Except grow a beard or wear a burka.

Cool...once you get your belgium shit you can move to any EU country and do whatever.

Except grow a beard or wear a burka.

well, i already have the beard.

but yeah! the possibilities are very exciting to me...to live in europe, but not backward ass belgium! when the lady is done with her school stuff, that is.

well, i already have the beard.

but yeah! the possibilities are very exciting to me...to live in europe, but not backward ass belgium! when the lady is done with her school stuff, that is.

god...ladies are never done.

Just keep away from Finland. I claim it as mine.

god...ladies are never done.

Just keep away from Finland. I claim it as mine.

dude, finland is for pussies.

im going to estonia!

actually, people go to estonia for pussies.

actually, people go to estonia for pussies.

haha! so i hear.