NATO during a Trump Presidency: Stay, Pay, or why don't you all just f-f-fade away?

[Gilrandir]

Surely it is possible to guess, but then polls would still be rather unreliable, no?

That's what I've been saying.

[Husar]

That's what I've been saying.

What does/would it change then?
Why demand something from them that would not change much?

[Gilrandir]

What does/would it change then?
Why demand something from them that would not change much?

To acknowledge that polls are unreliable and one shouldn't pay attention to them.

[Montmorency]

To acknowledge that polls are unreliable and one shouldn't pay attention to them.

"To acknowledge that polls are unreliable and one who doesn't know how to use them shouldn't pay attention to them.

[Gilrandir]

"To acknowledge that polls are unreliable and one who doesn't know how to use them shouldn't pay attention to them.

You mean vast majority of people who were shocked by the results of US elections and Brexit referendum which proved to be so different from what polls had told them? Then why do we need polls if so many people "don't know how to use them"? To let people"who know how to use them" earn a good living?

[Montmorency]

You mean vast majority of people who were shocked by the results of US elections and Brexit referendum which proved to be so different from what polls had told them?

While polls vary in strength and methods can be improved, the real issue is motivated reasoning in treating with them. Those who thought to delineate a Clinton victory as a firm outcome (though it was never a far-fetched one, mind) are at fault for not examining the results on their most literal level or placing them within a context of other forms of information. There have for many years been complaints levied against news media of their most regular abuse of polls, that of creating a daily/weekly horse race for the candidates based on cursory display of figures - nevertheless, it's what we like to consume, even those who "should know better". Even those who complain.

Then why do we need polls if so many people "don't know how to use them"? To let people"who know how to use them" earn a good living?

Well, yes. That's why businesses pay for and conduct surveys and polls - because they are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly consumer/market research.

[Gilrandir]

Well, yes. That's why businesses pay for and conduct surveys and polls - because they are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly consumer/market research.

Despite the fact that polls do not represent the situation adequately? To let those who conduct them earn a good living disseminating the myth of how useful polls are?