TV Survey

Had an interesting telephone call a few days ago. It came from one of the major networks in New York, asking for my opinion on current events. Normally, I don't reply to such calls or forms in the mail. I would much rather the "news" programs just give us the facts and let us draw our own conclusions, rather than telling us what percent of their viewers feel this way or that. But I was curious as to what particular subject this involved.

The young woman first asked me questions about the oil spill. I was willing enough to give my opinion on that topic. I did find her particular questions less than challenging or even especially interesting. She wanted to know if I thought BP was doing all it could to stop the leak, and if the President was doing all he could to make them get it under control. And would I buy gasoline from BP, and if not, why not?

She soon abandoned BP, and started asking me about other topics. Now I was sorry I'd started with the whole thing. She touched on many subjects I cared absolutely nothing about. She wasn't too happy with many of my replies, since I told her several times that it was too trivial or absurd for me to even have an opinion. I resorted a few times to, "Who cares?" She asked if, under any circumstances, I would consider allowing a TV crew to enter my home and film a sort of "reality show". I answered that one by saying I never watch "reality shows" because they never have any resemblance to reality, so no, of course not.

When I questioned what possible interest some of her questions could have to any viewers, she told me simply it wasn't information for news programs alone, but for several other types of shows. And then she wanted to know, if I were to break a law, which law would I choose to break? She listed five or six for me, like speeding, or public intoxication. That was one I chose not to answer. It was just too preposterous. Nor did I tell her the amount of my income; and when she asked my race, I told her it was "Human". She sighed, and said OK, she'd type that in.


So, ladies and gentlemen, if your telephone rings some evening soon, and your Caller ID tells you it is a TV network calling, be forewarned. If you answer and agree to a survey, it will waste a whole lot of your time, and you may find yourself answering a long list of inane questions.