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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