Talk:2305: Coronavirus Polling

Wow am I first? If you want to get the public disunited, wait till you start to try to lift lockdown. Everyone has a different opinion of what to do first and when to do it! From Wales (Dis-UK) RIIW - Ponder it (talk) 20:14, 11 May 2020 (UTC)

Worth mentioning is the the last COVID poll referenced [1] is actually a month old as of the publication of this comic ("The poll was conducted April 10-12" - whereas the comic is dated May 11.) I suspect the 81% number has shifted in the time since that poll data was current.172.69.68.157 20:28, 11 May 2020 (UTC)MeZimm

Ummm... "...is remarkably unanimous...", etc, in the description. Isn't that like "very unique" when there it isn't the only example? ("A large proportion are unanimous, with very few others who demur" or something?) 162.158.159.142 22:13, 11 May 2020 (UTC)

2011? Why would so many people felt positive about Betty White in 2011? -- Hkmaly (talk) 22:38, 11 May 2020 (UTC)

Beats me, I had to come to explainxkcd to find out who Betty White was.

I'd just like to point out that this means 24% of people do not feel positively toward kittens, 11% of people think fair elections are unimportant for democracy, and 14% of people think Kim Jong-Un can be trusted to do the right thing. 108.162.215.216 22:52, 11 May 2020 (UTC)

That isn't quite right: all those polls included a neutral option. --172.69.135.210 05:00, 12 May 2020 (UTC)

And there could also have been and a I don't know option. Many people are allergic to cats, so I'm sure some of those would not like kittens even if they seem adorable in Facebook posts. --Kynde (talk) 07:01, 12 May 2020 (UTC)

In the source for Kim Jong Un poll results, 9% DO trust him. 172.68.139.26 14:53, 18 May 2024 (UTC)

One can also believe in fair elections being important for democracy, but think certain issues are too important to risk 'the people' deciding them, so there's no need for a fair election (and maybe you ought to actively avoid the risk). But only 'the other side' does that, of course. If your side does something that looks like it, it's just a righteous measure to make it fair again and stop Them cheating. 162.158.155.62 07:14, 12 May 2020 (UTC)

I removed the connection between Tom Hanks and COVID-19. While it is true that he was tested positive this had no influence on the poll cited which was in 2018. Therefore it's not relevant. Elektrizikekswerk (talk) 08:11, 12 May 2020 (UTC)

I disagree about removing it. You are correct that the poll has nothing to do with COVID but that Randall include a poll on Tom Hanks one of the first famous people who came forth telling he had the disease may have been the reason he was included. I will reinsert it, and change to make it clear that this is why it is mentioned. --Kynde (talk) 08:16, 12 May 2020 (UTC)

It might as well be a coincidence. And with these additions it's imho not only not needed for the explanation but needlessy convulted, too. Randall did randomly choose Tom Hanks before (see 2003 or 1948). Elektrizikekswerk (talk) 09:56, 12 May 2020 (UTC)

Yeah, but **whatabout** vi vs. emacs? Sunny Side Up vs. Over Easy? Laurel&Hardy vs. Abbott&Costello? Cellocgw (talk) 11:40, 13 May 2020 (UTC)

This is now the 25th comic about COVID-19 since the first comic in March. Wonder if he will continue to come back to this as long as there is a lock down in some parts of the US? --Kynde (talk) 14:34, 13 May 2020 (UTC)

Removed trolling unsigned posts containing people's opinions (and the responses). This is NOT a place to vent; it is a place to discuss whether the attached "explain xkcd" page is fully informative. ToolmakerSteve (talk) 23:30, 6 December 2020 (UTC)

The sentence "Or else that this vocal and demonstrative minority is almost the only group making their opinion public in such a newsworthy manner." seems unnecessary. Author has a history of using statistics to poke at ill-informed perceptions/beliefs; the previous sentence (... unrepresentative ...) is certainly what is going on. ToolmakerSteve (talk) 23:24, 6 December 2020 (UTC)