Whats the point of internet polls?

[LiberalVoice]

I mean what are they really for? They certainly aren't to figure out the publics opinion. They can't be legitamatly trusted for that.

They aren't to inform the average computer user what most people think.

So what do these news websites really put them up there for?

[Mr_Spock]

1. People go to the site to take the poll 'cause it's fun

Not much else

[Nimrod]

2. They're conversation pieces

Other than that, zip zero nada. Too easy to monkey with, too easy to straight out fake. In about ten minutes I could create a completely bogus poll that updated itself every few seconds exactly as I wanted it to.

[xray s]

3. They are totally bogus, but reported as if legitimate

That is why they matter.

[21winner]

7. They are only reported on the stupedia.

[kayell]

4. They are a way to manipulate the public opinion while appearing to do

something else. And so they sneak past people's skeptiscim with the intended message.

Example:
How should Rather be disciplined for spreading false information about President Bush?
Choices - Fired, Fined
implants at least 2 memes, that Rather should be disciplined, ideally in a really nasty way, and that the information in the memos is false.

[Career Prole]

5. Linking practice for newbies? :-) n/t

[21winner]

6. They please the desktop warriors.

Especially Freepers. And the site gets a lot of hits.

[LiberalVoice]

8. Good point.

It gets freepers to check out the site.