Let's Have an Epic Poll -- About Polls!! Everyone is Invited to Answer! :)

Hey Everyone,

I was struck with a new thread idea in Jake's awesome poll thread:

(From posts I wrote over there.)

OH MAN.

I just got the idea to write a parody thread about being a "Poll Dancer"... along with a funny poll (of course) about how many of us enjoy "dancing around" the subjects brought up in polls, answering polls, thinking of subjects for polls, etc.

BUT... Seeing as this is a Christian forum, I wouldn't want any newbies to get the wrong idea so... Alas.

Yet another one of my oddball ideas must be shelved.

Sadness.

(Another member suggested I go ahead with the idea, and I wrote.)

Unfortunately, the practical side of my brain is coming up with more than a few reasons as to why I can't:

1. This site is searchable to anyone. Imagine searching for a "Christian Website" and getting an answer emblazoned with, "Do YOU Enjoy Poll Dancing?!"

2. Many people, especially nowadays, don't know the differences between "poll" and "pole" and will think they're the same thing.

3. Even if they do know the difference, they're going to assume the worst and think the thread is about "the other kind of pole dancing."

4. The most zealous -- whether they do or don't realize there is a difference in spelling in meaning, and especially those not familiar with how things go here in Singles -- are going to automatically rush right in and make proclamations of condemnation without ever reading the OP.

5. Some will read the OP and not care because they'll jump at the opportunity to condemn people anyway. I mean, who could ever stoop so low as to think a subject like pole dancing could be parodied! (Me, that's who.) Lol -- which tells people everything they need to know about me.

So alas.

While I think such a thread would be EPIC, I don't want to disrespect the admin or cause our poor faithful mod all the trouble.

Yeah... I lose a lot of good thread ideas this way -- to common sense -- and it's such a tragedy, I know.

(End of my posts in the other thread.)


And so, I've decided to write a G-rated, Officially Family Friendly version of that thread idea instead (because I can't let a good idea go to waste.) I've actually written polls about polls in the past -- I just think this was the first time I thought of calling it "Poll Dancing."

And so...

* How do YOU feel about polls?!

Feel free to let it all out in this thread!!

And of course, the poll will be multiple choice and visible to all to enhance the fun. Since the number of answers is always limited, I had to do what I could to try cram in all the "basic" choices. There's never enough space, so please tell us more about your answers in a post!

Come on in, grab that ballot, and vote your little heart out...

Then come back and tell us in your posts about how y.o.u. REALLY feel -- about polls!

As for my own answers:

* I like polls because they're a way to include people who might not like writing posts, don't have the time, or don't know how to word their answers.

* I'd definitely like to see more polls in the forums, and if anyone needs help with writing them, let me know.

* I like polls on just about any subject -- but coming up with answers can be hard, especially since they are limited.

* I think whether people's answers should be visible/hidden depends on the subject. I generally make serious topics anonymous, but I think showing who answers what in fun, lighthearted polls helps us get to know each other's personality a little better.

* OF COURSE I'm just here to see how many people -- and WHO -- are all here to read a thread about poll dancing!

Maybe members of our "Most HOLY and authorized KJV" crowd will make an appearance?
Let us hope so! 😀

@Magenta ...

Leo Sayer???

You went deep for that one! 😆🤦

Well...

The title does say EVERYONE is invited to answer, so we can surely hope for some cameo guest appearances across the crowd!

I’m not sure how to make a poll, nor have tried but I think creating threads with polls are exciting and at the same time, I don’t know if the creator of the thread gets full access to the data from the polls…like who voted for what, so that is something for me to consider when selecting a vote in a poll and could come in handy when trying to figure out or find out more about the audience of Christian Chat.

These are great points and I'm glad you brought them up!!

* When you write a thread and are ready to post, you'll see the buttons for "Preview" and, I think it's just called "Other Options" -- this will give you the option to add a poll to your thread, but it can be easy to miss -- it looks like just another line of text and I've often accidentally just posted my thread without the poll several times.

* If you do make a mistake, if you should have the regular 5 minute editing window to delete it and start over.

* As far as I know, the poll writer doesn't have any other information about the poll than what everyone else can also see. If you opt to make the answers visible, you'll get to see who answers what, like everyone else. But if you make them anonymous, no one, not even you, will see who checked which boxes.

I could be wrong about this though. If anyone else knows how to access info available only to the writer of the poll, let us know!

* When I get more time and a day when I'm not as scatter-brained, I might have to write a thread with a poll, take screenshots, and then write a tutorial thread on how to write polls.

I may have to recruit some help though, as I'm not sure if/how to include screenshots in a post.

It would take a considerable amount of time, as I'd have to do it on my phone rather than my laptop, but it sounds like it could be very helpful.

Polls? I'm for 'em.

I will give you number one. That is a good reason.

All the other reasons are a combination of "That's their fault. Ignorance is no excuse." and "sounds like fun to me!"

I just snapshotted this reply. Thank you

Lol!!

Some people have an "angel" on shoulder, and a "devil" on the other:




As for me, no matter where I turn on this forum -- all I seem to run into is a spotted cat...
Who just so happens to enjoy cheering on my most controversial ideas.



This picture seems fitting, as he looks particularly trouble-ish here.

No problem!

Let me know if you have further questions or try to write a poll and get stuck.

Feel free to @ me in this thread, or leave your questions on my profile page.

I'm all about try to get people to write more polls and threads!

Okie doke!

And what a handsome devil that cool cat is!

Oh, that is exactly the thing. Writing in English is hard, thinking in English is waaay easier. But wording things out, I know I blabber too much when I write, because I cannot get the idea out exactly the way that I am having it in my head.. or if I can say this, or react this way.
So it also takes time to write longer posts in English. Plus I have to proofcheck my wirings <-- writings... exactly like that. Maybe I should check my wirings too



Agree to this, and I am super curious about everything (which is also the reason I would like to see more polls), what people think of something, the ways they do things differently, interests etc..
But, yeah, poll hidden, depending on the subject.

I would like to see more polls because while posts give you the depth of where a person is, polls give you a bredth of where people are. Both are needed for understanding the social landscape that we are called to serve. Also poll results are basically anonymous and therefore less likely to give you a non-random sampling, especially with a controversial issue.

Yes, you get a different audience with a poll because everybody isn't equally skilled when it comes to writing. As a teacher, I am very aware of there being many intelligent people who struggle due to dyslexia or other reading/writing issues.

And people have different spiritual gifts. My roommate has very valuable input but has great difficulty with words. I tease her that I'm her Aaron since I was called to be a voice and am thus blessed with the gift of gab. As much as I like me, though, I would like to hear the input of other parts of the body of Christ and not just other mouths. And maybe polls are an easier way for them to communicate.