RE: Political Rhetoric, Philosophy, and Digital Textbook Selection Processes

Web Philosophy Community Group,
 
"Such simplifications can also be observed in public opinion polls, including online public opinion polls, where there are the approval ratings of the few visible representatives, or of the entire Congress, as opposed to more detailed or granular public opinion polls which might invite citizens to engage in civil discourse."

During the 2012 election season, in August the Congressional approval rating tied an all time low of 10% (http://www.gallup.com/poll/156662/congress-approval-ties-time-low.aspx).  In September, the Congressional approval rating was also low at about 13% (http://www.gallup.com/poll/157475/congress-approval-poised-lowest-election-year.aspx) and then rose to 21% in October (http://www.gallup.com/poll/158372/congress-approval-rating-ahead-elections.aspx) and dropped to 18% in November (http://www.gallup.com/poll/158948/congress-approval-stuck-long-term-low-streak.aspx) and December (http://www.gallup.com/poll/159401/congress-approval-remains-during-fiscal-cliff-debate.aspx).  Congressional approval rating dropped to 14% into 2013 (http://www.gallup.com/poll/159812/congress-begins-2013-approval.aspx).
 
Pertinent to our discussion is the September of 2012 article (http://www.gallup.com/poll/157475/congress-approval-poised-lowest-election-year.aspx) where the author at Gallup pondered and discussed reasons that the approval rating might have been low, almost as if asking the public any followup questions to "Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?" was not an option by which he might obtain more insight at Gallup, at that time.  That was during an election season.
 
In January, however, an article appeared on Gallup's website with a followup question: "Do you think the way politics works in Washington these days is causing serious harm to the United States, or are the effects not that serious?" (http://www.gallup.com/poll/159728/say-politics-washington-cause-serious-harm.aspx).  Over three quarters of Americans indicated that the federal government was causing serious harm to the United States of America.  The 19% of Americans who did not feel negatively about the way politics were being handled was quite close to the 18% job approval rating in December.

A number of other polling questions and topics are pertinent to scientists and technologists including the public's perception about the future, the chances that today's youth will have better life than their parents.  "In America, each generation has tried to have a better life than their parents, with a better living standard, better homes, a better education, and so on.  How likely do you think it is that today's youth will have a better life than their parents -- very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely." (http://www.gallup.com/poll/159737/americans-divided-outlook-next-generation.aspx)

What role did technology, including the Web, have with regard to that opinion poll through the early 21st century?  What happened in 2008?  The number is, in 2013, presently near 50%, as it was in 1995, indicating uncertainty about the future to be at a high.  Can science-related and technology-related optimism pertain to overall optimism about the future?  Could digital textbook optimism, for instance, impact such public opinion polls?  It happens to be the case that education in the future will be better than in the past.
 
Towards the aforementioned philosophical topics pertaining to public opinion polling, including granularity, there are technological topics, Web-based public opinion polling topics, including Web-based forms and JavaScript; there are extensive possibilities for the gathering of information from large groups of people.
 
Additionally, beyond that more granular public opinion polling can enhance democracy, is that problem solvers in society can be more productive with more information to think about and with which to solve problems.  Without more information, it is difficult for members of society, scientists, technologists and industrialists to contribute.  Some might worry, however, that more granular data could impact factors like the public's optimism or pessimism about the future.

What sort of granularity in public opinion polls is indicative of modern democracies and of successful countries?  Which responsibilities should individuals seek to take upon themselves in addition to or instead of blaming the government?  How can individuals seeking to solve societal problems better become well-informed about the various situations in the United States?



Kind regards,

Adam Sobieski