Asri-unix.1105
net.space
utcsrgv!utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!C70:sri-unix!OAF@MIT-MC
Fri Mar 26 05:44:50 1982
Space Poll
Re Minsky's complaint that after-launch polls work down to being fireworks
polls:

Hear hear.  A space-launch poll asking serious benefit-oriented questions
would be a good idea.  Why not assemble a set of such questions in a file,
have someone organize them, and contact one of the polling see if they'll
use it at a propitious time?

Sample question:
       Weather and earth-resource measurement satellites have resulted
       in how much increased farm productivity in the U.S. (per year)
       in the past 10 years?
               a)          $1,000,000  __
               b)         $10,000,000  __
               c)        $100,000,000  __
               d)      $1,000,000,000  __
               e)     $10,000,000,000  __
(and provide the right answer somewhere, which I happen not to know,
but suspect it is greater than the last suggested answer.)

Next sample question, to follow the first:
       Present expenditure levels for these satellites and associated
       support systems are in the range of how much per year?
               a)          $1,000,000  __
               b)         $10,000,000  __
               c)        $100,000,000  __
               d)      $1,000,000,000  __
               e)     $10,000,000,000  __
(and provide the right answer there too.)

Third sample question, to follow the preceding:
       In your opinion, expenditures for weather and earth-resource
       satellites should be
               a) cut out altogether                   __
               b) drastically reduced                  __
               c) slightly reduced                     __
               d) kept the same                        __
               e) slightly increased                   __
               f) greatly increased                    __
               g) increased to encompass the entire GNP
                                                       __
                       <MAY FUN SPOT NUTS HAVING WELL AS WHILE WE'RE THE>.
       I guess in this case it's hard to provide the "right" answer.

Other interesting topics should cover various benefits engendered or
otherwise associated with the space program.  Eg:  velcro, teflon,
microelectronics, communications, and national defense.  Last sample
question.

       Where would we be without spy satellites, command/control/commun-
       ications satellites, and so on?
               a)      Here                    __
               b)      Heaven                  __
               c)      Hell                    __
       <NOTE ARE FUNCTIONALLY EQUIVALENT. B) C) THAT AND>

Putting my disk space where my mouth is, I have created
       SPACE-POLL at MIT-MC
where sample questions and flamacious comments may go.

I'll report on what shows up there.

Oded


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