People or Sheeple?

[Tricon]

While I'm thouroughly convinced that most people are schmucks, I, at least, have to try to defend them.
These "ask random people and show their stupid answers" shows/reports are in no way representative. They ask and tape maybe 40 people... but only show you a selection of maybe 5 who answer. One answers corectly, one is a bit off, and three outlandish answers. Surprisingly, you'll usually see all of these three in the later questions, too... and usually getting it wrong, and giving silly answers - thereby entertaining the average couch potato. They don't show you the 30 people who get it right, they concentrate on the numbnuts. Why do they do that? Why, because a) it IS entertaining and b) now most who watch may feel superior. And we all like to think that we're superior. Now add a bit of nationalism... maybe by showing certain ethnic groups, or people from a certain country, and you can even form public opinion a bit... The very least it will do is, it will confirm our own prejudices.... and we always like that.


Grumble.
Public opinion is so easy to manipulate. Give me footage of babys crying near a road and of a few tiger tanks, and I'll convince a lot of TV viewers that the Nazi's have invaded Belgium.